Prop Spinners icon Mel Marcum dies
Longtime Eugene Prop Spinners President
and lifetime member Mel Marcum died on Aug. 1, 2026.
Mel was a control-line flier in Eugene,
Ore., for most of his life, and was instrumental in the
reformation of the club in the mid-1960s after a brief
hiatus. He went on to serve as president and newsletter
editor.
As a member of the City of Eugene staff, Mel was instrumental in obtaining and developing two flying sites at the Eugene Airport that the club used for approximately 45 years.
He was a key member of the volunteer staff of the Northwest Control-Line Regionals, including acting as head of registration for many years with the help of his wife, Dolores.
He also hosted many Christmas parties and other social events at his home in Eugene.
As a modeler, he enjoyed Aerobatics, Navy Carrier and Scale modeling along with general sport flying.
See a detailed obituary on Mel from The Register-Guard newspaper.
Left photo: Mel Marcum in 2008 at the Eugene Airport field he helped design and acquire for model flying. Flying Lines photo. Right photo: Mel's last visit to a Prop Spinners flying session on May 7, 2026. Jim Corbett photo.
From Jim Corbett
Mel was a control-line flier in Eugene,
Ore., for most of his life, and was instrumental in the
reformation of the club in the mid-1960s after a brief
hiatus. He went on to serve as president and newsletter
editor.As a member of the City of Eugene staff, Mel was instrumental in obtaining and developing two flying sites at the Eugene Airport that the club used for approximately 45 years.
He was a key member of the volunteer staff of the Northwest Control-Line Regionals, including acting as head of registration for many years with the help of his wife, Dolores.
He also hosted many Christmas parties and other social events at his home in Eugene.
As a modeler, he enjoyed Aerobatics, Navy Carrier and Scale modeling along with general sport flying.
Mel Marcum with his .38 Special
at the Eugene Airport flying site. Flying Lines photo.
The family has planned a celebration of life service at
noon on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Wesley Methodist
Church, 1385 Oakway Road, Eugene. After the service
there will be a meal at the church.at the Eugene Airport flying site. Flying Lines photo.
See a detailed obituary on Mel from The Register-Guard newspaper.
Left photo: Mel Marcum in 2008 at the Eugene Airport field he helped design and acquire for model flying. Flying Lines photo. Right photo: Mel's last visit to a Prop Spinners flying session on May 7, 2026. Jim Corbett photo.
Remembrances of Mel Marcum
From Mike HazelI remember Mel all the way back from
when I was a teenager. Mel, along with my dad and a
handful of others were flying models during the
dormant period of the Eugene Prop Spinners club.
This was in the mid 1960s. Mel was instrumental in
officially reforming the EPS organization and was
one of the sparkplugs of the Eugene area model
aviation activity.
One of the things I remember about Mel from way back was that he was a kind and gracious man. Over my knowing him for several decades I can’t think of a time when he veered from those characteristics. I have in my possession one of the planes he built long ago, the 38 Special. With that plane’s future flights, it will always remind again of that kind and gracious man.
One of the things I remember about Mel from way back was that he was a kind and gracious man. Over my knowing him for several decades I can’t think of a time when he veered from those characteristics. I have in my possession one of the planes he built long ago, the 38 Special. With that plane’s future flights, it will always remind again of that kind and gracious man.
From Jim Corbett
I returned to control-line flying in
2007 after a long break since 1962. I met Mel at the
EUG overflow parking / CL flying area. He was aware
that I was also flying RC planes and did the website
and newsletter for the ERCA club. He asked me if I
would consider taking on the Propspinners
newsletter. I said I would give it a shot starting
in 2008.
After a couple of months Mel had me
stop by his place and pickup a couple of boxes of
files of old newsletters and misc articles. It
contained some of the info on the 1957 endurance
flight, photos and some other archival stuff.
Mel donated his aircraft storage trailer to the club and it is still in use at our current flying site.
Mel donated his aircraft storage trailer to the club and it is still in use at our current flying site.
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was updated Sept. 15, 2026