Oshkosh woman recognized for volunteer service to EAA

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (October 17, 2024) — Colleen Lambrecht of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was recognized on October 16 for her contributions and volunteer service to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), as she received the Henry Kimberly Spirit of Leadership Award during the EAA Halls of Fame banquet at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh.

The award is named for the late Henry Kimberly, a longtime Oshkosh civic leader who was instrumental in building community support for EAA when the fly-in arrived in Oshkosh in 1970, and later in the move of EAA headquarters to Oshkosh in the early 1980s.

Lambrecht was recognized for more than four decades of service as an EAA AirVenture Oshkosh volunteer, as she currently serves as chairperson for the Main Gate-South Admissions area. That area welcomes tens of thousands of AirVenture visitors each year, arriving at Oshkosh from all around the world. Lambrecht leads the coordination of dozens of volunteers who make a positive first impression for those attending The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.

Lambrecht grew up in an aviation-oriented family, as her father was a B-17 bomber pilot during World War II. She began volunteering at the EAA fly-in in the 1980s, with her husband and children often alongside. That circle of volunteers has grown through the years to include extended family and friends as part of the 6,000 volunteers who make EAA AirVenture Oshkosh possible.

“Colleen personifies the dedication of our volunteers at AirVenture, whether they are from the Oshkosh area or joining us from long distances,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Those who work with Colleen will tell you that she is the perfect “first contact” for our visitors – enthusiastic, positive, and endlessly energetic. We are very proud to have her as part of our volunteer leadership team and have her as part of the great volunteers we have recognized with the Kimberly Award.”

Along with announcing the Henry Kimberly Award that recognizes Oshkosh-area volunteers, the October 16 program inducted six aviators into the EAA Halls of Fame. They included aviation enthusiasts from diverse aircraft areas that encompass homebuilt, vintage, warbird, ultralight, and aerobatic aircraft.

About EAA
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 300,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org.