The Lauren Larsen Memorial Award

The Lauren Larsen Award is presented annually to the person (s) who most exemplified the spirit of the Grumman Owners and Pilots Association over the previous year. 

Nominations are made by the members of the Association and the recipient chosen by the Board from that list.

The award was created in honor and memory of Lauren Larsen, our late Northeast Regional Director who was lost over Lake Michigan just before the 1983 Convention. While flying his Yankee over the lake at night, he radioed in a "May Day" due to engine failure. Neither he nor the Yankee were ever found.  Months later, one identifiable part of the plane washed up on the Eastern shores.

Lauren was the person most responsible for getting the Eastern AYA going in the early days. and went above and beyond the call of duty until his untimely death.  To honor Lauren’s  commitment to THE AYA,  the Board created an award to be given each year to the member who had given the most outstanding Service to the AYA/GOPA the previous year.

The Lauren Larsen Memorial Award Plaque (seen here) bears the names of all past recipients.  The Main Plaque is passed on each year to the new awardee, with a smaller, personalized version for them to keep.