The regional awards for 2023 have been updated.
There are two awards that have not been awarded yet in 2023, and the recipients will be updated once known.
LINK: AWARDS
Regional Awards – Updated
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Category Archives: Memorials
The passing of Jerry Stansberry
Jerry Stansberry, a pioneer of competitive water skiing in Virginia, passed away on Saturday, September 10th. Many of us have much appreciation and gratitude for what Jerry accomplished. Roger Hammel provided the following summary regarding Jerry’s contributions toward our sport.
Virginia Competitive WaterSkiers:
If you are relatively new to VA waterskiing, you may not know Jerry. So this is both a tribute to Jerry and a bit of a history lesson as I remember or know it.
Jerry has been retired from the Virginia and Eastern Region skiing scene for about 5 years, maybe a couple more, electing to become an Emeritus Judge. Before that, Jerry was a very active Senior Judge in our area.
To get a sense of the importance of Jerry to Virginia and Eastern Region waterskiing, you need to go back into the late 50’s and play it forward from there. So lets talk about Jerry and competitive skiing in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and later so everyone gets a sense of who this lady was and her central roles in waterskiing as we know it. It is a wee small history lesson for VA competitive waterskiing, too, focused on Jerry. Not everyone or every lake is mentioned, as this is a description of Jerry and her roles. You have my apologies for omissions. Continue reading
In Memory of Bill Sapp
Unsung Hero
There are many unsung heroes in our water ski community. Without them our sport wouldn’t be what it is today.
Bill Sapp, a founding member of both Timberlake and also of Garlands Millpond before Timberlake, passed away on April 30th. Bill had been battling Parkinson’s and was pretty much bed bound from that. Recently he developed Covid-19. Our prayers go out to Bill and his family. Bill had 3 children, now adults. Erin, his eldest daughter, Gayle his middle daughter,and Brett, his youngest, all skied at Timberlake. Brett did quite a bit of fishing there as well. Janet Marks is Bill‘s sister and she has been by his side since Parkinson’s took over his life.
If Bill had not been with us to help plan, guide and especially execute his leadership role in Timberlake’s physical development, there simply would not be a Timberlake.(Roger Hammel)
When you look around Timberlake you see Bill’s lagacy. The workmanship in the Timberlake boat house is in great part due to his precision and hard work.
Billy was a pleasant guy and was that way to all. I never
heard him say anything ugly or disparaging, he was a true gentleman, and
he always shared a great smile. Billy contributed a lot to Timberlake
as an accomplished builder and hard worker.(Al Harris)
An Unexpected Loss In The Water Ski Community
It is with a very heavy heart that I report the unexpected passing of our dear friend and long time leader, Gordon Hall. Gordon was in an aviation accident Tuesday, March 3rd. Please keep Barbara, Steven, Bobby, Katy, and the entire Hall family in your prayers.
A Memorial Service honoring the life of Gordon Hall is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1:00PM
Dave Goode, 1955 – 2020
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The People Behind the Awards
When I started as EVP for the AWSA Eastern Region, I knew I had a lot to learn. We’re involved in a sport with a rich history and some quite amazing people from right here in the Eastern Region. I asked Jon Thacher to help me understand some of that history and to know the stories behind the people and awards that we hand out each year. Here are a few…
Check out the “Awards” page to see the recent winners of these awards!
Celebrating the Life of Emmy Healy
Each one of us is on a journey. We travel from day to day in work, in play, in life. We are fortunate to have others with whom we can share in our journey. Through our love of a sport, we are blessed with an opportunity to meet people that we otherwise may never know. We find ourselves inspired by the accomplishments of others, knowing that what they’ve done is not easy.
Emmy Healy was one of those who inspired many in the water ski community. She is remembered as a very humble, kind person, and of course a great skier. It is a Blessing knowing she is no longer in pain and may she Rest In Peace. Prayers for Emmy and her family. Our deepest sympathies to those who were close to her.
Records held by Emmy include:
W4 Trick – Emmy Healy 3520 pts East Regionals – Avon 8/1/1996
W5 Trick – Emmy Healy 3560 pts MC Eastern Regionals “R” – Dave’s Pond 8/5/2002
W6 Trick – Emmy Healy 3560 pts Eastern Regionals “R” – Avon 8/0/2003
Paul Allebach 1940 – 2019
Paul Allebach passed away September 19 at his home in Harleysvile, PA, following an extended illness. He is survived by his wife Sarah, sisters Alice Kolb and Esther Kauffman, brothers Jim and Abe, nieces Nancy Swartout and Kathy Becker, and many other nieces and nephews.
Paul was a member of AWSA for almost 60 years, participating in many local, regional and national tournaments as both a trick skier and a senior driver. He was a member of the Diamond State Water Ski Team, served as chief driver of Nationals and drove several Pan-Am tournaments. Paul was a member of the AWSA board of directors and chairman of the towboat committee for a number of years.
He also enjoyed many snow skiing trips, visiting new resorts whenever possible. He followed Philadelphia sports teams and NASCAR.
Read the full obituary at WilliamsBergeyKoffel.com.
Ed Brazil Passed Away
Ed accepts the Alan Rossi Award from Bruce Epstein in 2009.
Ed Brazil, a Lifetime Ambassador Member of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, passed away on Friday, April 26. Brazil, a native of Laconia, NH, was known throughout the water ski world for his work as a technical controller, his contributions to water ski site development, and innovation for all things water ski related.
Skip Klemm passed away
Skip was a longtime member of the Abenaki Water Ski Club of Wolfeboro and was a ski jumping fixture in their water ski shows for years. He participated in competitive water skiing over four decades, setting the Eastern Regional Jump record in 1992 and 1993. He was a multi-time Eastern US Regional Champion, placed second in the World Masters Games in 1985 in Toronto, and placed third at the US Nationals in 1983. Continue reading