We
Remember
The AACLA remembers these friends and Collins employees who contributed much to the mission of the organization and whose friendships we miss.
In Memory of
Cornelis (Coen) van der Linden
19xx-2024
Members of the Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association are saddened by the passing of our Association’s Treasurer, Coen van der Linden.
Coen was a Treasurer par excellence in that he solved the complexities of Government forms for a 501(c)(3) organization. Coen was an Aeronautical engineer with a Masters degree from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and worked at Collins Aerospace since 1997 as a flight control expert and flight test engineer. Later, he was a test director on the KC-135. The KC-135 System Integration Laboratory has been officially renamed “Coen SIL”.
Two scholarships are being established at Kirkwood Community College. Both for an outstanding student in Aeronautical Engineering and one for the Aircraft Mechanics Program.
He will be greatly missed.
Myron (Mike) Wilson
1924-2024
The Museum Volunteers, Docents and members of the Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association are saddened by the passing of Myron (Mike) Wilson.
Mike will certainly be missed by all of us in the AACLA and by so many in the Cedar Rapids area. He loved this community very much!
Mike was instrumental in creating the Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association and served as a Director for the last ten years.
We’re sure he is happy to be reunited with Esther.
Dominique R. Blank
1965-2023
We were saddened to read in this morning’s Cedar Rapids Gazette the obituary for Dominique Blank who passed away January 3rd at age 57. Dominique was AACLA’s public relations manager in the first few years of the organization up until she and her family moved to Iowa City. She was instrumental in organizing the AACLA interviews with retirees as well as our public showings of “Culture of Innovation” which premiered at Coe College’s Sinclair Auditorium, in 2016. Dominique served on the AACLA Board of Directors in 2015.
Loney R. Duncan, Jr.
1932-2022
With deep sadness, we have to inform you Loney Duncan (WØGZV) passed away last Saturday. Loney was a real gentleman, an incredible engineer and a family man. Professionally, he spent about 40 years with Collins Radio and raised to a top management position. During his career at Collins, he was involved with the development of antenna couplers, the Navy Tactical Data System, the URG II system, TACAMO and many other programs. He loved Collins and worked closely with Arthur Collins. He was a stimulating person to be with that often switched from highly technical discussions to fun stories from his past. He was on the board of the Arthur Collins Legacy Association and the Collins Collectors Association and was a great supporter of our efforts to capture and preserve the history of Collins Radio. We have lost a great and irreplaceable friend and a powerful mentor. We feel honored to be able to say that Loney was a close friend.
Terry Lamb
1934-2022
The staff and members of the AACLA are saddened to report the passing of one our association’s founders, Terry Lamb. Terald Rex Lamb was an Air Force Veteran and a long-time employee of the Collins Radio Company. For years he managed the department responsible for obtaining FAA certification and installation of Collins systems. He served on the AACLA Board of Directors and previously as our President. He also served as a Docent at the Collins Aerospace Museum. He was a Mentor to us all, a Friend and a Gentleman.
James Robert Shanklin
1937-2020
The staff and members of the AACLA are saddened to report the passing of one our association’s founders, Jim Shanklin. Jim was a long-time Employee of the Collins Radio Company, author of several history books about Collins Radio, served on the AACLA Board of Directors and as a Docent and Supporter of the Collins Aerospace Museum.
Ben W. Stearns Jr.
1927-2013
Ben was instrumental in creating the Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association and served on the Board of Directors and as a Collins Aerospace Museum Docent.
Ben’s Obituary
Ben Wade Stearns, Jr., 86, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at The Woodlands of The Meth-Wick Community, Cedar Rapids.
He was born January 8, 1927 at Logan Iowa, the son of Ben W. Stearns, Sr. and Mary Agnes Henn Stearns. The family moved to Des Moines in 1939, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1944. After attending Drake University for one semester he entered the U.S. Army and served 15 months in the Philippines.
After returning to Des Moines, he worked in the printing trades and earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Drake in 1951. He then worked for the Iowa City Press-Citizen as reporter, city editor and news editor for 11 years until joining Collins Radio Co. of Cedar Rapids, serving as public relations manager. He later worked for the advertising and public relations agency CMF&Z (Creswell, Munsell, Shubert & Zirbel) until retiring in 1990.
In 1953 he married Mary Teresa Anderson of Des Moines. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, Jane Upmeyer and husband Steve of Tell City, IN, Reverend Dr. Gail Stearns, Dean of the Chapel at Chapman University, Orange, CA, Nancy Martin and husband Robert of Hardwick, MA; a sister, Margaret McVicker of Catonsville, MD, a brother-in-law, Louis Norris of Des Moines, IA, and six grandchildren: Amy Smith and husband Josh of Indianapolis, IN, Staci Upmeyer, Indianapolis, IN, John Moody, Los Angeles, CA, Jeana Moody, Claremont, CA, Laura Martin, attending graduate school at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Ian Martin, Los Angeles, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dorothy Norris.
In retirement Ben researched and wrote the book, Arthur Collins, Radio Wizard, a biography about the founder of Collins Radio Co. and history of the company, now Rockwell Collins. He was a 51-year member and elder of First Presbyterian Church, Marion. He was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge No. 4, Iowa City and a member of American Legion Post No. 563, Bonaparte, IA. He had also been elected to and served as chairman of the Marion Parks Board.
