Aviation enthusiast, historian and telecommunications technician, Ivan "Miro" Ebringer was born on April 07, 1938, in the town of Devinska Nova Ves, Slovakia. In the 1960's he became a glider pilot.
Deeply interested in the history of WW2 air warfare, especially the events over Slovakian skies, Ivan established an "RAF Club" in Devinska Nova Ves in June of 1967. Club activities included collecting historical documents, archive reports, visiting and excavating crash sites and hosting WW2 pilots. Also building memorials such as at the former Russian POW camp between the towns of Devinska Nova Ves and Devin; and the initiation of the placement of a bronze bust of the most successful Slovak pilot, and RAF ace, Otto Smik DFC, in Bratislava. The club was later dissolved as it was considered an undesirable element in the view of politicians.
Ivan later moved to Bratislava where he and his friends established the Club of Aviation History in association with the Historical Museum of the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava. The new club activities were similar to the former RAF club. One of the most memorable projects was locating and recovering of a P-38 Lightning of the 15th USAAF and its pilot near the town of Svaty Jur. It took more than two decades due to political climate of the time and the location of the crash site. The project began during the time of the first club in Devinska Nova Ves and was completed in April of 1990, by the recovery of the wreckage and the remains of its pilot, which were later repatriated to the USA. A memorial honoring the pilot was constructed at the crash site.
Ivan passed away on February 03, 2004, after almost a nine year battle with serious medical conditions. Ivan's kindness, determination, friendliness and a big heart touched the lives of many who had the privilege of knowing him. He will never be forgotten.