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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Gordon Spellman

Sheldon dreamed of flying since early childhood as have many of us. Poor vision ruled out a military or civilian career in aviation, yet he never ceded his desire to fly anytime in anything with wings. His experience ranged from a Cessna 150 to a Sukhoi 26 and included Pitts and seaplane time. He was an accomplished instrument and multiengine pilot but his real skills shined in aerobatics. He captured the California State Championship and garnered the International Aerobatic Club Stars award in Sportsman class and Smooth award in Intermediate class.
Sheldon slipped the surly bonds of earth much too early at the age of 45. Here are some remembrances from the October 2001 newsletter of IAC Chapter 38:
He has done a prodigious amount of work for our Chapter and our sport over the years including many exhausting sessions as Starter at contests. He was the most reliable, kind, and gentle person you are ever likely to meet. ~Fred Abramson
Sheldon Klotz was a remarkable person. I enjoyed teaching him aerobatics. He became California State Champion in my Decathalon in which he learned aerobatics. Sheldon was always courteous and thoughtful. He epitomized the word gentleman. He performed a myriad of services for all in aerobatics. His development of a computer scoring program was one of the major milestones along the way to our current T-B-L-P system. Sheldon’s early work done gratis and given as a gift pointed the way to the future. I will treasure many fond memories and miss the presence of Sheldon Klotz.» ~Dr. Dick Rihn
One of the brightest, most cheerful, helpful and energetic people in the aerobatic community. ~Dennis Yugo
Sheldon also attained professional success as a chemical engineer, crewed for a road racing team and acted as the sound technician for a local rock band. There was much breadth to his life and he was always successful and highly valued by all who met him. Sheldon was the most intelligent, kind and considerate man I have known.
Sheldon was my best friend, an irreplaceable one. I’ll miss him always.