50 Years Young: RV/MH Heritage Foundation Hall Of Fame Celebrates Benchmark Anniversary

by George Allen, CPM Emeritus, MHM-Master

TThe year 1972 is historic for several reasons. Internationally, it was a black year, due to terrorism entering sport, with the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes in Europe during the Summer Olympics. Nationally, 1972 marked the beginning of the Watergate Scandal, the greatest

U.S. political expose’ in modern times.

In manufactured housing circles however, 1972 was a

Banner Year, boasting the second highest production level year in the industry’s history, with 575,940 new homes shipped! And 1973 would exceed this euphoric level by only 4,000 when 579,940 new homes were shipped!

Unfortunately, two years later – in 1975, these acme shipment levels, for financial and regulatory reasons, plummeted to 212,690 new homes shipped. Since then, the roller coaster of annual shipment totals continues.

Riding the shipment euphoria of 1972, a group of trade

MH magazine publishers, attending an MHI meeting, announced the first Hall of Fame class comprised of 10 pioneers, which included Wally Byam, Elmer Frey,

Kristian Jensen and four others. First headquarters was the business office of the first chairman, then a loaned desk in the National Bank of Elkhart. In time, Jack Tuff and Herb Sailor convinced the city of Elkhart to donate six acres of urban renewal land for the first Hall of Fame building. Early years were tough going, with individual supporters paying the utility bills. The first major donors were Winnebago and MHI, until the RV industry became more involved during the early 2000s. A new RV/MH Hall of Fame museum and library facility opened after the turn of the century. And just recently, a new manufactured housing display area opened to the public.

Monday evening, Aug. 15, will be the centerpiece of the 50th Anniversary of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation. Hundreds of manufactured housing and recreational vehicle aficionados will gather at the Elkhart, Ind., facility for the annual Hall of Fame induction banquet. The 2022 MH Inductee Class includes: · David J. Carter, Sr., a MH supplier from Florida · Raylen Gritton, a MHRetailer from California · Harry Karsten, an OEM supplier & MH manufacturer from California · Eugene W. Landy, portfolio land lease community owner from New Jersey · Tim Williams, MH finance lender from Tennessee

In addition, there will be five recreational vehicles icon individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame.

So, who’ve ‘gone before’ these new inductees? 427 individuals to be precise (pre-2022 induction). And it’s interesting, the size of induction classes in past years. Examples: 1972 = 14; 1973 = 11; 1974 = 10/ class 1984, 86, 89 & 94 = 3/ class 2014-2022 = 10/ class

So, who’re some of the MH industry pioneers inducted into the prestigious RV/MH Hall of Fame during the past five decades? · At least seven father and son pairings, including three individuals who’ve authored autobiographies:

Jim Clayton, Kris Jensen, and Ralph Scoular. · At least a half dozen founders of housing manufacturers: John Crean, Art Decio, Bob DeRose, Jim

Shea, Sr., Elmer Frey, and Harold Platt. · Some notable individuals: Ricky Bucchino who

‘did it all’ and was known as Florida MH until he passed; Dr. Carlton Edwards, prolific author and director of Michigan State University’s Mobile

Homes Education Program; Dick Moore, largest

MH retailer & sold MH to Elvis Presley

An interesting and welcome phenomenon has been the growing, albeit slowly, the number of women pioneers and executives inducted into the Hall of Fame. The late Betty Orr was a member of the inaugural 1972 class. And since then there’ve been others, here listed alphabetically: · Lisa Drake Connor of Missouri, an early spokesperson for the MH industry via media events and among legislators. Worked to improve industry and image. · Theresa M. Desfosses of Maine, who’s fabricated and sold new manufactured homes, via Burlington

Homes and developed communities since 1968. · Patricia Fiederer of New York. President of Latham

Homes, developed land lease communities. A 40 year member and leader of New York MH Association. · Ruth D. Kaseman of Arizona. Active in housing since 1944. Founder of Arizona MH Owners Association, and a co-founder of the RV/MH Hall of Fame. · Christine Lindsey, MHM, of Tennessee. Career regional property manager for UMH

Properties, a REIT. Energetic promoter of manufactured housing. · Betty Orr of Illinois. Well known after-market supplier, MH retailer and association »

leader. First female interior designer to work in manufactured housing. · Debra Pizer, MHM of Illinois. Retired property management executive with Zeman MHC; female pioneer in community management and retail sales. · Maggie Stephenson of Indiana. Founder and developer of Stephenson land lease communities, an independent MH retailer. Past president of IMHA/RVIC. · Glenna Tollett of Washington. Developer and operator of three land lease communities in WA. Executive director of the Washington MH Association. · Doris Woodward of California. Editor of Trailer Life magazine in 1940s & 50s. Also with Jenkins Publishing as a columnist writing about manufactured homes. · Mary I. Younkin of Ohio. 50-year veteran of manufactured housing; served the Ohio MH Association for 30 years. Founded Dycom Industries.

While the 2022 class is set, now is the time to recommend men and women you consider worthy of induction during year 2023 and beyond. How to do this? Visit the RV/MH Heritage Foundation website and print off the forms exhibited there.

The evening of Aug. 15 will be a major gala affair! Not only will 10 more individuals be inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame, but everyone will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation and touring the newly completed manufactured housing display hall. Plan now to attend. For more information; again, visit the website, and/or telephone (574) 293-2344. MHV

George Allen has owned and fee-managed land-lease communities since 1978. He’s a former MHI Industry Person of the Year and a member of the RV/MH Hall of Fame. He has been designated a Certified Property Manager-Emeritus and a Manufactured Housing Manager-Master. He’s also a senior consultant and staff writer with EducateMHC. Allen can be reached at (317) 346-7156 and gfa7156@aol.com.

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