We’re often at the gate waiting for take-off here at the library without even a pilot. Well, we now have a pilot. Actually, we just have his plane to fly off into the wild blue yonder.
Many wish to undertake an adventure in their lifetime and some live a lifetime of adventure. Some just wish to meet a high-flier. If you were lucky, you met one of Cascade’s finest. So step on board and take a short flight.
Born and raised in Great Falls, Tom developed a love of motorcycles. This was a love that lasted into the sunset. If there ever was a free day, Tom was on his bike headin out. Always ready for a challenge he participated and placed in numerous Hill Climb racing events. In the July 1957 issue of American Motorcyclist Tom was listed as placing second in the Montana Hillclimb Championship held near Cascade. More than 3,000 spectators were on hand to witness the 2-star class C event. Tom participated and placed second in the 45 event. He placed 3rd in the 80 event. He and a group of friends even rode their motorcycles to Purdue Bay at the Arctic Circle in 2016.
Wishing to serve his country Tom joined the Navy and by all accounts of those who knew him, became “one of the finest aircraft mechanics, shop managers the Navy ever saw”. During his career, Tom received many awards including the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award in 2008.
He also learned to fly for the Navy and fly he did. Tom’s love of flying knew no bounds. During his Navy career, he was stationed at Chula Vista, Oxnard, Point Mugo, Alameda, Long Beach and San Diego, California; Midway Island, and Bremerton, Washington.
After retiring from the Navy, Tom found his landing strip and hangar near Cascade. Not ready to settle down into retirement Tom worked for Slack Cycle Sales and Spartan Cycle Sales as Service Manager. Then to change things up a bit he worked for the Dana Ranch for over 25 years. After retiring from the ranch, Tom still needed something to fill in his time. So in 2009 he became the Chief Quality Inspector PAE for the Department of Homeland Security AOS and the following year was promoted to Site Manager. He waited to retire from this position at the young age of 78.
Now Tom still needed some hobbies to fill his days, as he didn’t seem to have enough to do. “Tom loved animals— from his special dogs to the black bear and deer that inhabited his yard.”
Not flying in the air, he decided to build his own planes to fly in a slightly different way. Tom built model airplanes and boy did he build. He started from the ground up and didn’t fool around with just itty bitty ones. He loved the challenge of trying for the large ones and he loved flying ‘em all.
Tom never stopped. In 2015 He was awarded General Aviation AMT of the Year for the State of Montana. He was a member and served as president of the EAA Chapter (Experimental Aircraft Association) 1141, and received numerous Chapter Service Awards.
Thomas Richard Wrobel, 78, passed away January 15, 2019, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana after a valiant battle with cancer.
Many remember Tom in a variety of ways. Tom Mabrey remembers “His door was always open; his way was true and forthright. He was a great friend…an indomitable spirit. Jeff Birks felt “He was one of the finest friends that this world has ever known.”
Wedsworth Library is able to immortalize Tom just a little bit more and offer the community a special portion of his life. Dave and Tami Snyder were honored to know Tom and even more honored to own a piece of Tom and his loves. They are loaning this piece of Tom’s history to the Library.
We have on display one of Tom’s airplanes he built. It is a sight to behold. Stop on by and come fly with Tom and the library.