Paul Poberezny

Paul Poberezny founded one of the world's largest aviation organizations and emerged as one of the 20th century's greatest aviation leaders, creating a worldwide aviation organization and the world's premiere aviation event, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. He died at the age of 91 on August 22, 2013 in Oshkosh after a career that spanned more than 70 years of flight. A highly skilled pilot, he flew more than 500 different types of aircraft and logged over 30,000 hours. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Jetta Poberezny, and sister, Martha Biesterveld. Paul is survived by his wife of 69 years, Audrey, son Tom (Sharon) Poberezny, of Brookfield, Wisconsin; daughter Bonnie (Chuck) Parnall of Oshkosh; granddaughters Audra (Michael) Hoy of Oshkosh, Lesley Poberezny of Brookfield, Wisconsin and step-granddaughter Marnee (Russell) Lott of Benbrook, Texas. Paul is also survived by great-granddaughter Charlotte Charley Hoy, and step-great-grandson, Cord Lott. Paul is also survived by his brother, Norm (Betty) Poberezny, nephew, Lewis (Denise) Poberezny, and niece, Eileen Schroeder. Paul often said that there was not a day that went by that he didn't say the word "airplane". His flight experiences began as a high school student who taught himself to fly and continued through service in World War II and the Korean conflict. Between the wars, he began his hands-on approach to aircraft design and building that would direct his future and his legacy. In January 1953, he organized about three dozen aircraft builders and restorers into a local Milwaukee, Wisconsin, club that was named the Experimental Aircraft Association. Later that year, the first EAA fly-in formed the foundation of what has become EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.. Paul's life and career was a shining example of vision, self-reliance, motivation, and leadership. He is regarded as one of the individual giants of aviation's first century, with an influence that reaches beyond a single flying accomplishment, to affecting tens of thousands of people who have dreamed of flying. Paul Poberezny was more than a legend, he left legacy of a lifetime involvement in aviation that will impact future generations for decades to come. At this time, only a private family service is scheduled. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Paul's life and legacy can be made to any of the following: EAA Aviation Foundation, P. O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903; Evergreen Foundation, 1130 North Westfield Street, Oshkosh, WI 54903; or the American Cancer Society, Northeast Wisconsin, 790 Marvelle Lane, Green Bay, WI 54304. The family wishes to thank Evergreen Retirement Village and the Aurora Visiting Nurses Association for their loving care and compassion