December 11, 2017

Georgie Lee Kahl passed this week at age 92, in her home in Marfa, Texas, with members of her family by her side. Along with her husband C.M. "Fritz" Kahl she was a significant part of welcoming glider pilots and soaring events to Marfa in southwest Texas beginning in 1960. The Kahl's were very encouraging to me when I took a chance and established "Marfa Gliders" flight school in 2001.

Georgie Lee was our guest of honor in April 2008 when I hosted the gathering of legendary glider pilots, crews and towpilots who had participated in the Marfa camps, contests and the 1970 World Soaring Competition for the dedication of the 15th National Landmark of Soaring plaque at Marfa Airport.

Georgie Lee gave me photos, score sheets and memorabilia to support my research that was required by the NSM Landmark Committee to have Marfa Municipal Airport designated as a Landmark. These documents and photos are a major part of a memorabilia display along an 80 foot wall of my glider hangar. She also confirmed that an old flag pole that I had acquired locally to be placed near the Landmark plaque was indeed used at the 1970 World's at Marfa.

So many people work behind the scenes to get as many as eighty glider pilots aloft in one day over Marfa and Georgie Lee Kahl was with us to help make Marfa known around the aviation world as a true Landmark of Soaring.