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Photos
and information on famous fanciers of the LAPC who have passed on...
by Bob Nolan, Club Historian
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Bill Hawkinson Bill Hawkinson passed away in 2006 and is therefore fresh in our minds. Bill came from a real pigeon family. His father "Owl Bill" Hawkinson Sr. was an early promoter of the Chinese Owl on the West Coast. Bill Jr. matched if not surpassed his father's pigeon achievements. He loved rare breeds and especially genetic projects - both areas that he exelled in. He lived first in Downey, then El Monte and finally Cherry Valley in his later years. He was very knowledgeable about plants as well as pigeons working for many years at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. He counted among his close friends Kortus Koehler, Leon Stephens, Bill Griebel, Tom McCaig, and many more. In his senior years when he was unable to do the physical labor connected with setting up the Pageant of Pigeons he helped out keeping track of staplers, staples, cutting knives and other things used on set up day that often "strangely" disappear. A rather quiet soft spoken man, he impressed you with his knowledge of pigeon genetics. A lover of pigeons to the end. Photo taken at the 1977 Pageant, Pomona CA |
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Bill Babb The Babb family was deeply involved in the Los Angeles Pigeon Club for over 20 years. Bill and his wife Nellie seldom missed an LAPC meeting. They were another couple who were always seen together. In addition they had two sons who raised birds for a while. One of the boys (Tom) actually became quite well known for his Norwich Croppers. Perhaps someone can refresh my memory on the name of the other son. Bill's favorite breed was Indian Fantails and he was quite competitive although not the dominant figure in the breed. He was a long time board member of the LAPC and could be counted on for writing cage cards, setting up and tearing down the Pageant even though he had some physical problems that resulted in restricted mobility in his later years. His activity period was from 1966-1987. His name can be found annually in the list of Pageant exhibitors. Failing health caused him to dispose of his birds but he still on occasion came bye to see his old friends. His wife Nellie lived into her nineties and passed away just a few years ago. Photo taken at the 1977 Pageant, Pomona CA |
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Brad Atwood Brad Atwood was quite a colorful character with lots of charisma. He had been a professional baseball player in his earlier days. His father Ed Atwood was a world famous African Owl breeder who actually sold Owls to the King of England in the 1930s. Brad grew up in Massachusetts. Upon coming to California and joining the Los Angeles Pigeon Club around 1955 he took up Long Face Tumblers. He was quite successful with them. When his father's age dictated a move to Calif. to be closer to Brad he also started raising and showing African Owls in conjunction with his father. He was involved with the old American Pigeon Club and served as its President near the end of the club's life in the 1960s. Atwood was often seen judging at the Pageant and served on the board of directors of the LAPC. Tracy Parks, noted Oriental Frill breeder, was a neighbor of his. At one time Drew Lobenstein kept his birds in the Atwood lofts after Brad's passing. A successful business man he projected an air of professionalism and polish. Photo taken at the 1982 Pageant, Pomona CA |
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I.W. Metcalf Irwin Wade Metcalf joined the LAPC in 1933 and continued his membership for 54 years. Affectionately know simply as "Met" he is acknowledged as one of the Legends of the Los Angeles Pigeon Club. He served many years as show secretary for the Pageant. In addition he served many years as the bulletin editor. Working at the Andrews Hardware Store in Los Angeles, he was the LAPC's main benefactor, Don Andrew's right hand man. With Andrews financial support the club was able to host the finest shows up to that time. Met was a King breeder his entire life and acknowledged as one of their best judges. A fittness buff he was doing sit ups into his eighties. Also an avid hiker he would go on "walking" vacations into the High Sierras each year. He once told me he hadn't been to a doctor in 45 years. His humble nature, sharp wit, and genuine friendliness marked him as one of the most loved fanciers the club has ever produced. Photo taken Nov. 1979 at Griswold's Inn, Upland CA, at the LAPC
Banquet |
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Dick Russell Dick Russell was born in Yonkers, New York in 1925, moving to West Hollywood in 1936. Growing up in the depths of the depression he learned the virtues of hard work which he did his whole life.. He became involved in the Los Angeles Pigeon Club around 1966. He became the club treasurer in 1974 and served in that post for many years. Extremely quiet, shy and soft spoken he was a hard worker for the club. Stepping in and running for President when no one else wanted the post. His breed of choice was English Trumpeters and spent many years working on a genetic project to introduce the Nun marking into ETs. He was a great supporter of the Southwest Pigeon Fanciers Club holding many posts in that club which started as a junior club and evolved into an adult club. His life was cut short in Feb. of 1989 when he sufferred an aortic anuerism struck while driving home from work. He loving wife of 42 years Elsa is still living in the family home in Redondo Beach. Among his closest friends were Bob & Kay Farley, the Sissons, the Babbs, and the Ludens. He was truly a lover of the Los Angeles Pigeon Club. Photo taken Nov. 1980 at the LAPC Banquet |
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Richard
(Dick) Kodis Richard (Dick) Kodis was born in California in 1937. He first joined
the Los Angeles Pigeon Club around 1961, when he was living in the
San Fernando Valley. He remained a member until is passing in 2001.
He was especially active in club affairs in the 1960's and 1970's.
He served two terms as LAPC President, first in 1965, and he returned
as President in 1977. During his first term the LAPC hosted the
1966 NPA Grand National at Costa Mesa. |
| In addition to President he served as Vice President,
Director and Pageant judging coordinator. Dick was recognized as an
outstanding judge of Clean Long Face Tumblers and Turbits. He was
also called upon several times as an all breed judge at the LA County
Fair. Turbits and Long Face Clean Leg Tumblers were his life long
favorites. He belonged to the Pacific Tumbler Club and American Turbit
Club for many, many years. Dick was a strong President, well organized and a good delagator -- traits that he may have developed as a member of the U.S. Marine Corp. After leaving the service he spent most of his working life in the aero-space industry. He was intricately involved with America's space program and was often on the spot when rockets were launched and recovered. This involvement took him away from home for long stretches and for this reason he had a period of about fifteen years where he did not show at the Pageant of Pigeons. He did participate in Pacific Tumbler Club shows when he was home but for the most part his showing was limited to lawn shows. Upon retirement he began showing again at the Pageant and attending LAPC meetings. He was a long time resident of Orange, CA where he and his wife Linda raised five children. Dick was interested in youth baseball and served often as an umpire. During one of those games he suffered a heart attack but recovered and lived many more productive years. He succumbed to brain cancer in 2001. His dry sense of humor and no nonsense approach to club business is legend and is sorely missed. He was a true outstanding member of the Los Angeles Pigeon Club. |
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