EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — Audrey Poberezny, known as the “quiet power” behind the formation of the Experimental Aircraft Association, died Nov. 1, 2020. She was 95.
Audrey was the wife of EAA’s founder, Paul Poberezny, and is credited with helping the organization get off the ground.
“The quiet power behind the leader in EAA’s formation and development was certainly Audrey Poberezny,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman. “She supported Paul from the very earliest days of EAA, from being the sounding board for ideas and balancing the books, to answering the phone and typing out membership cards. Audrey did whatever needed to be done, but never sought the spotlight for herself.”
“She was instrumental in helping the organization grow from a local club for amateur aircraft builders into an international organization that embraces virtually the entire spectrum of sport aviation,” officials with Women in Aviation say on their website. Audrey was inducted into WAI’s Pioneer Hall of Fame in 1996.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, who passed in August 2013.
“Her understanding of people was a gift that helped EAA grow and thrive into its unique place in aviation, and her warmth will be remembered by all who knew her,” Pelton noted. “She was indeed EAA’s First Lady.”
“Our deepest condolences to her children, Tom and Bonnie, and to the entire Poberezny family. Our best remembrance is to live up to the high standards and inviting culture that Paul and Audrey began with EAA nearly 70 years ago.”
Any further information and details will be announced as they are finalized.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It boasts 240,000 members and 900 local chapters and puts on the world’s largest aviation celebration every summer (except in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic).
All Our Sympathy, from LUXEMBOURG EU
Thank you, Audrey. Godspeed.
Truly a great lady in all aspects! Whenever we spoke, I was always impressed with her conversation, always on the EAA, Paul, and many other topics too numerous to mention. She was the head of the class!
Ann Holtgren Pellegreno
I’ve been engrossed in aviation for over five decades. I know, and have enjoyed the company of many famous people in our aviation world. It’s very rare for me to be caught off guard by anyone. I was at Sun n Fun… maybe ten years ago. I was late to a seminar and confused by a new layout. I was hustling over the little bridge by the EAA building. If anyone knew where I was headed it would be a helpful person in that small building. I jogged to the window… I immediately turned away and out of site I stopped. In my head today remains the warm image of Paul standing quietly with his back to the window and his arm lovingly draped across Audrey’s shoulder. I took a deep breath and approached the window again and asked for directions. That image of the two of them will bring warmth and a smile as long as I live.
Thank you.