Skyward
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Aviation enthusiasts in southern Ontario were saddened by the loss of Thomas (Tom) Dietrich, widely respected founder of the Tiger Boys Aeroplane Works and Flying Museum at Guelph, ON Air Park.
Tom died peacefully on February 17 in his 81st year after a long illness. He was fittingly surrounded by the treasured collection of antique and homebuilt aircraft that he meticulously refurbished for 50 years.
Cam Harrod, his colleague in the Tiger Boys, paid tribute to Tom as “a man who touched the lives of many people” and “spent his whole life in love with airplanes.”
As a family obituary in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record stated, most people were not as lucky as Tom to live their life enjoying their hobby. Tom was a gentleman who “lived the dream” with antique aircraft pilots, skilled craftsmen and fans who appreciated his many contributions to preserving aviation history.
The Tiger Boys annual weekend fly-in every September is a must-see event for photographers and everyone who enjoy seeing the eclectic collection and visiting classic aircraft up close.
Tom started out as a champion flying model builder/flyer as a youngster. Along with Frank Evans, he owned a hobby shop in Waterloo. They decided to restore a Tiger Moth and the Tiger Boys were established at Guelph Air Park in 1970.
Tom and Frank were regular attendees at Toronto Chapter CAHS meetings. They became good friends of my father Jack, de Havilland Moth rebuilder Watt Martin and other CAHS members. With the passing of Frank, Bob Revell joined the Tiger Boys and partnered with Tom as quintessential barnstormers.
The Tiger Boys were a fixture at many air shows and fly-ins in Canada and the United States. Their motto was “Keep Them Flying” and they made a remarkable contribution in rebuilding aircraft to better-than-new condition.
Cindi Conlon, author of a pictorial book on the Tiger Boys, visited Tom and Bob just before Christmas on her annual cookie delivery.
“Tom’s spirits were up and he assured me he was feeling fine --- always the optimist,” Cindi said.
Tom carried on throughout 2020 and took pride in steady progress with a ¾-scale Hawker Fury replica, displayed by the Tiger Boys for the first time in September. I visited Tom in November for an update on the Fury. We enjoyed a fascinating conversation in the shop/museum/residence, with model airplanes hanging from the ceiling, numerous trophies sitting proudly on shelves and display cases, vintage posters and more.
Tom had a good word about every aircraft, including his Aeronca Champion, CF-OTD, as in “crazy foolish old Tom Dietrich.” It remains “a beautiful aircraft to fly,” he said with a smile.
The Tiger Boys first Tiger Moth, CF-CTN/RCAF 5884 won numerous awards at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and became the flagship of a growing fleet. In fact, Cam recalled Tom having attended Oshkosh 49 consecutive times and it would have been 50 had it not been for illness. He also enjoyed the annual fly-in convention of the Antique Airplane Association at Blakesburg, Iowa. Tom bought and sold vintage aircraft parts to grow the collection and find another “basket case” to restore to pristine condition.
The Tiger Boys restored no fewer than six Tiger Moths, including a Thruxton Jackaroo --- believed to be the only one flying in the world today --- and are close to completing a Gipsy Moth.
Their exceptional collection comprises aircraft such as Fleet Finches, Cornells, a homebuilt 5/8th-scale Hawker Hurricane, vintage Cubs, and a colourful variety of rare homebuilts.
Gary Schroeder, a friend of Tom for 40 years, was among those who also paid tribute.
“Tom was kind-hearted and so very knowledgeable,” he wrote on the Toronto Chapter CAHS Facebook website. “It’s hard to imagine the airport without his presence.”
Tom was cremated. There are plans to hold a Celebration of Life at the Tiger Boys hangar later this year.
The CAHS joins many aviation enthusiasts in extending condolences to Bob Revell, Cam Harrod, he rest of the Tiger Boys circle and Tom’s family. As Cam Harrod wrote in a message that reflected Tom’s lifelong dedication, “Thank you for everything Tom. Rest in peace assured that we will keep your legacy alive.”
Tom died peacefully on February 17 in his 81st year after a long illness. He was fittingly surrounded by the treasured collection of antique and homebuilt aircraft that he meticulously refurbished for 50 years.
Cam Harrod, his colleague in the Tiger Boys, paid tribute to Tom as “a man who touched the lives of many people” and “spent his whole life in love with airplanes.”
As a family obituary in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record stated, most people were not as lucky as Tom to live their life enjoying their hobby. Tom was a gentleman who “lived the dream” with antique aircraft pilots, skilled craftsmen and fans who appreciated his many contributions to preserving aviation history.
The Tiger Boys annual weekend fly-in every September is a must-see event for photographers and everyone who enjoy seeing the eclectic collection and visiting classic aircraft up close.
Tom started out as a champion flying model builder/flyer as a youngster. Along with Frank Evans, he owned a hobby shop in Waterloo. They decided to restore a Tiger Moth and the Tiger Boys were established at Guelph Air Park in 1970.
Tom and Frank were regular attendees at Toronto Chapter CAHS meetings. They became good friends of my father Jack, de Havilland Moth rebuilder Watt Martin and other CAHS members. With the passing of Frank, Bob Revell joined the Tiger Boys and partnered with Tom as quintessential barnstormers.
The Tiger Boys were a fixture at many air shows and fly-ins in Canada and the United States. Their motto was “Keep Them Flying” and they made a remarkable contribution in rebuilding aircraft to better-than-new condition.
Cindi Conlon, author of a pictorial book on the Tiger Boys, visited Tom and Bob just before Christmas on her annual cookie delivery.
“Tom’s spirits were up and he assured me he was feeling fine --- always the optimist,” Cindi said.
Tom carried on throughout 2020 and took pride in steady progress with a ¾-scale Hawker Fury replica, displayed by the Tiger Boys for the first time in September. I visited Tom in November for an update on the Fury. We enjoyed a fascinating conversation in the shop/museum/residence, with model airplanes hanging from the ceiling, numerous trophies sitting proudly on shelves and display cases, vintage posters and more.
Tom had a good word about every aircraft, including his Aeronca Champion, CF-OTD, as in “crazy foolish old Tom Dietrich.” It remains “a beautiful aircraft to fly,” he said with a smile.
The Tiger Boys first Tiger Moth, CF-CTN/RCAF 5884 won numerous awards at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and became the flagship of a growing fleet. In fact, Cam recalled Tom having attended Oshkosh 49 consecutive times and it would have been 50 had it not been for illness. He also enjoyed the annual fly-in convention of the Antique Airplane Association at Blakesburg, Iowa. Tom bought and sold vintage aircraft parts to grow the collection and find another “basket case” to restore to pristine condition.
The Tiger Boys restored no fewer than six Tiger Moths, including a Thruxton Jackaroo --- believed to be the only one flying in the world today --- and are close to completing a Gipsy Moth.
Their exceptional collection comprises aircraft such as Fleet Finches, Cornells, a homebuilt 5/8th-scale Hawker Hurricane, vintage Cubs, and a colourful variety of rare homebuilts.
Gary Schroeder, a friend of Tom for 40 years, was among those who also paid tribute.
“Tom was kind-hearted and so very knowledgeable,” he wrote on the Toronto Chapter CAHS Facebook website. “It’s hard to imagine the airport without his presence.”
Tom was cremated. There are plans to hold a Celebration of Life at the Tiger Boys hangar later this year.
The CAHS joins many aviation enthusiasts in extending condolences to Bob Revell, Cam Harrod, he rest of the Tiger Boys circle and Tom’s family. As Cam Harrod wrote in a message that reflected Tom’s lifelong dedication, “Thank you for everything Tom. Rest in peace assured that we will keep your legacy alive.”