Foil: 64 Panel: 1 Column: 3 Line: 27

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
J. Blake Myers

Dr. George W. Apffel was an avid pilot, aviation advocate, godfather, Big Brother and lifelong Smithsonian Museum Associate. A native of New Jersey, after serving in the U.S. Army during WW II George adopted Lynchburg, Virginia as his home. An optician by trade, his introduction to aviation was an aviation cadet while attending Lynchburg College. George earned his Private Pilot Certification on August 22, 1973, and his Instrument Certification on December 23, 1975. George was a member of a local flying club in Lynchburg Virginia and flew Cessna models 150, 172, 177 and 182. He loved flying with his friends and family members, and indeed over the years flew family members to numerous family events, including weddings and his godsons’ graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point.