Celebrating 100 Years in 2011
Los Angeles Pigeon Club Legends
 |
Bill Drossler I have many great memories of Bill Droessler. I first met him in 1961 at a Southwest Pigeon Fanciers show held at the LA Racing Pigeon Club on Vermont Ave. He had a few kids in tow and the original pigeon fancier in the Droessler family was Maurice. Bill always appeared to be a happy person, but his life was often full of tragedy. Some of the 10 children were adopted (perhaps 4 or 5) and when going to his home in the 60's, there were often 20 children about since their home was Grand Central for the neighborhood kids as well. Bob is correct, some of Bill's first pigeon were Modenas. He also had some Indian Fantails. During that time and to this day, I have a good friend by the name of Tim Brandon. I know Bill was particularly fond of us and took great interest in our development to adulthood. Bill would call Tim, Timmy yet always called me by my given name Richard. This never changed over the years. Bill was a generous sort, not necessaily in the monetary fashion, but in other ways. When Jim Lairmore was diagnosed in the mid 60"s with tuberculosis, he was not capable of taking care of his birds. In fact, Jim lived in a rehab center for awhile and Bill would drop by his place daily to take care of his birds. Perhaps this lasted six months. He never would take any money for feed, etc. This gesture and other things Bill did for Jim and his family nurtured a 30 year friendship. I recall my first judging assignment with Modenas at the age of 17. Bill was quick to tell me of my errors and me being the quiet, respectful type replied, "Well, how the hell would you know?" He got a great kick out of that and would remind me of the comment even as recent as a few years ago. Bill would also remind me of one of his comment's and that was..."Richard, you'll never amount to much in this hobby.!" So, whenever we would see each other, he would have that gleam in his eye and remind me how correct he was and has been for 45 years. In the 70;s, Bill decided racing homers were for him and he moved to the Norco bluff area to have a competitive location. He took to the racing sport in a big way and developed a good reputation for being a competent flyer. I believe in the 80's, one of his children died and soon after his wife passed. There was a noted difference and it took him quite sometime to recover. Perhaps in the mid-late 90's, as he would state once, "I met a girl". He was quite taken and soon thereafter they were married. Bill was a few years older, but nevertheless, in his very late 70's and when at Jedds or going to lunch with Greg, Larry, Dick and the Jedd's boys, Bill would regale a bit about his libido. Always with a wink and a mischevious smile. Of course, I replied once, "Bill, at this age any type of sex could be lethal!" He pondered the comment for a moment and then replied, "Well, if she dies, she dies, I'll just go find another." Bill could be irascible and feisty occasionally, yet at the same time he would somehow be charming and charismatic. If Bill believed in something, he was like a bulldog if you tried to change his mind. Quite religious, especially early on, he was quite proud of his young friends that embraced his sometimes, pious principals. (Embraced them in his mind) In our teens and early 20's, Bill would tell me how proud he was of Tim Brandon and me that were remained celibate until we were married. Tim got off the hook early since he married at 22. Me, well....uhh, sure Bill, whatever you say!!!! I probably last saw Bill 4 or 5 months ago at Jedds, maybe more. He asked about my family and seemed very genuine about his dialogue with me. Greg McKnight, Larry Tomlin, Dick Ricker, Jim VanderHeide and others were very special to Bill and very much a part of his life. I would suggest that Bill in turn, was very much an important part in their life as well. Final note, there was a young girl that Bill met in the 60's and he always asked me about her. In his mind, this girl never did age....he saw her at the Pageant when he attended infrequently and Bill was quite surprised that in fact, there was only a slight change...I don't think there was ever much interaction between the two with conversation, etc. Yet, even in recent years, when his forgetfulness was becoming more obvious, he never forgot Tally! Rick Barker Photo by Bob Nolan |
|
|
Bill Hawkinson
Bill Hawkinson passed away in 2006 and is therefore fresh in our minds. Bill came from a real pigeon family. His father "Owl Bill" Hawkinson Sr. was an early promoter of the Chinese Owl on the West Coast. Bill Jr. matched if not surpassed his father's pigeon achievements. He loved rare breeds and especially genetic projects - both areas that he excelled in. He lived first in Downey, then El Monte and finally Cherry Valley in his later years. He was very knowledgeable about plants as well as pigeons working for many years at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. He counted among his close friends Kortus Koehler, Leon Stephens, Bill Griebel, Tom McCaig, and many more. In his senior years when he was unable to do the physical labor connected with setting up the Pageant of Pigeons he helped out keeping track of staplers, staples, cutting knives and other things used on set up day that often "strangely" disappear. A rather quiet soft spoken man, he impressed you with his knowledge of pigeon genetics. A lover of pigeons to the end. Photo taken at the 1977 Pageant, Pomona CA |
|
 |
Bill Babb
The Babb family was deeply involved in the Los Angeles Pigeon Club for over 20 years. Bill and his wife Nellie seldom missed an LAPC meeting. They were another couple who were always seen together. In addition they had two sons who raised birds for a while. One of the boys (Tom) actually became quite well known for his Norwich Croppers. Perhaps someone can refresh my memory on the name of the other son. Bill's favorite breed was Indian Fantails and he was quite competitive although not the dominant figure in the breed. He was a long time board member of the LAPC and could be counted on for writing cage cards, setting up and tearing down the Pageant even though he had some physical problems that resulted in restricted mobility in his later years. His activity period was from 1966-1987. His name can be found annually in the list of Pageant exhibitors. Failing health caused him to dispose of his birds but he still on occasion came bye to see his old friends. His wife Nellie lived into her nineties and passed away just a few years ago. Photo taken at the 1977 Pageant, Pomona CA |
|
 |
Brad Atwood
Brad Atwood was quite a colorful character with lots of charisma. He had been a professional baseball player in his earlier days. His father Ed Atwood was a world famous African Owl breeder who actually sold Owls to the King of England in the 1930s. Brad grew up in Massachusetts. Upon coming to California and joining the Los Angeles Pigeon Club around 1955 he took up Long Face Tumblers. He was quite successful with them. When his father's age dictated a move to Calif. to be closer to Brad he also started raising and showing African Owls in conjunction with his father. He was involved with the old American Pigeon Club and served as its President near the end of the club's life in the 1960s. Atwood was often seen judging at the Pageant and served on the board of directors of the LAPC. Tracy Parks, noted Oriental Frill breeder, was a neighbor of his. At one time Drew Lobenstein kept his birds in the Atwood lofts after Brad's passing. A successful business man he projected an air of professionalism and polish. Photo taken at the 1982 Pageant, Pomona CA |
|
 |
I.W. Metcalf (1898-1987) Irwin Wade Metcalf joined the LAPC in 1933 and continued his membership for 54 years. Affectionately know simply as "Met" he is acknowledged as one of the Legends of the Los Angeles Pigeon Club. He served many years as show secretary for the Pageant. In addition he served many years as the bulletin editor. Working at the Andrews Hardware Store in Los Angeles, he was the LAPC's main benefactor, Don Andrew's right hand man. With Andrews financial support the club was able to host the finest shows up to that time. Met was a King breeder his entire life and acknowledged as one of their best judges. A fitness buff he was doing sit ups into his eighties. Also an avid hiker he would go on "walking" vacations into the High Sierras each year. He once told me he hadn't been to a doctor in 45 years. His humble nature, sharp wit, and genuine friendliness marked him as one of the most loved fanciers the club has ever produced. Photo taken Nov. 1979 at Griswold's Inn, Upland CA, at the LAPC Banquet |
|
 |
Dick Russell (1925-1989) Dick Russell was born in Yonkers, New York in 1925, moving to West Hollywood in 1936. Growing up in the depths of the depression he learned the virtues of hard work which he did his whole life.. He became involved in the Los Angeles Pigeon Club around 1966. He became the club treasurer in 1974 and served in that post for many years. Extremely quiet, shy and soft spoken he was a hard worker for the club. Stepping in and running for President when no one else wanted the post. His breed of choice was English Trumpeters and spent many years working on a genetic project to introduce the Nun marking into ETs. He was a great supporter of the Southwest Pigeon Fanciers Club holding many posts in that club which started as a junior club and evolved into an adult club. His life was cut short in Feb. of 1989 when he suffered an aortic aneurysm struck while driving home from work. He loving wife of 42 years Elsa is still living in the family home in Redondo Beach. Among his closest friends were Bob & Kay Farley, the Sissons, the Babbs, and the Ludens. He was truly a lover of the Los Angeles Pigeon Club. Photo taken Nov. 1980 at the LAPC Banquet |
|
 |
Richard (Dick) Kodis (1937-2001) Richard (Dick) Kodis was born in California in 1937. He first joined the Los Angeles Pigeon Club around 1961, when he was living in the San Fernando Valley. He remained a member until is passing in 2001. He was especially active in club affairs in the 1960's and 1970's. He served two terms as LAPC President, first in 1965, and he returned as President in 1977. During his first term the LAPC hosted the 1966 NPA Grand National at Costa Mesa. |
|
