Tom Poberezny flies west

Former Experimental Aircraft Association President Tom Poberezny died July 25, 2022, the opening day of the 69th annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

Poberezny, the son of EAA founders Paul and Audrey Poberezny, died following a brief illness, according to EAA officials. He was 75.

Poberezny was EAA president from 1989 until 2010, and also served as chairman for two years until his retirement in 2011.

“It is not lost on us that Tom’s passing occurred on the opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the event he led into world prominence as its chairman beginning in the 1970s,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Tom’s legacy is tremendous in the world of aviation with his personal achievements, as well as the growth of EAA, especially the development of the current EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh, the Young Eagles program, and the creation of Sport Pilot nearly 20 years ago.”

Tom was a member of the U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Team that captured the World Championship in 1972. The following year, he won the U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Championship. He subsequently flew for 25 years as one wing of the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Team (originally the Red Devils).

During his career with EAA, Tom was at the helm during a number of the organization’s milestone events. In the late 1970s he spearheaded EAA’s first major capital campaign, which supported construction of the EAA Aviation Center headquarters and museum complex at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

When he retired in 2011, Tom noted that what he was “especially proud of” is the Young Eagles program, which has flown nearly 2.3 million children between the ages of 8 and 17 since its founding in 1992.