Florida Chapter AOMCI 2008 Fred Cranfield Memorial Award Winner: Bob Walwork

2008 Fred Cranfield Memorial Award Winner Bob and Geri Parkinson
	Bob “Yakety Yak” Parkinson and his wife Geri were honored at the November Winter Haven meet with the Fred Cranfield Memorial Award for 2008. This award is given for outstanding support, dedication and enthusiasm for the club. Geri remarked that this was the first time she had seen Bob totally speechless. Bob has been a member of the club since the year 2000 and he is credited with increasing the club membership and participation at our meets. Bob has made phone calls and sent special cards inviting members to attend meets. Two years ago Bob and Geri accepted co-hosting the July meet on the Suwannee River in Old Town and it has become one of the largest attended meets of the year. Bob’s interest in boating began in the early 1950’s running his Sid Craft race boat on the rivers and creeks around Annapolis, Maryland. Bob and his friends irritated many waterfront homeowners in those days. Geri’s oldest brother had a runabout and he met Bob at church one Sunday and Bob started hanging around Geri’s home. After a stint in the Air Force, Bob came home and married Geri in 1964.
Geri and Bob have one daughter, Christine, and they traveled across the United States three times, visiting 33 states, Canada and Mexico before Christine was 8 years old. Geri adds that life with Bob has never been boring. Since joining the club Bob has surpassed his one motor allotment by Geri into four race boats and 16 motors. Although, not a huge collection their trailer draws a lot of attention at gas stations and rest areas as they travel to local meets. And speaking of the trailer, the contents of which have rescued many a member with screws, tools, parts, tape, funnels, etc. Bob and Geri wish to thank all involved in selecting them for this prestigious award and they are also grateful for the opportunity to have so many other dedicated members as friends.