Bernie Thomas Memorial Award
Bernie Thomas
In the early 1960's, S gauge manufacturers were few and S gaugers predicting a bright future were fewer. Bernie Thomas was one of them.He was active and optimistic, working tirelessly to support newcomers with articles on American Flyer conversions and other simple projects.He volunteered to become NASG's General Director and developed the rotating, visiting club format, which evolved into the present NASG Annual Convention. He traveled unselfishly to attend meetings and judge contests wherever S could be promoted. The May 1965 NESGA Convention is said to have been a tribute to his organizational ability. He died unexpectedly at age 50 in July of that same year.
Bernie Thomas was born in Lima, Ohio, and became a Senior Metallurgical Inspector with Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA. He never married, splitting his time between work, his hobby, and caring for his invalid mother. When he died in 1965, he left many saddened friends and a legacy for the NASG organization to grow and flourish.
Purpose of Award
Presented in recognition for meritorious service to S gauge or the NASG. The awards provides a living memorial to Bernie Thomas for his unselfish, active, and optimistic role in supporting and promoting S gauge during the early 1960's when little was available.
Timing of Award
Presented once a year at the NASG Annual Convention.
Determination of Award
A majority vote by the NASG Board Of Trustees of candidates nominated by the individual Board Of Trustees members. After 1980, the NASG Board Of Trustees determined the Award could be bestowed upon an individual one time only as the intent of the Award was not for the same individual to receive it year after year. Plus, an Honorary Membership in NASG can only be received one time. Current NASG Board Of Trustees members are not eligible for nomination.
Recognition
The award is an honorary membership in NASG good for life plus a plaque/trophy. It is the responsibility of the person in charge of the BTMA to inform the NASG Membership Chairman of the present year's BTMA recipient in order that the recipient can be added to the membership roster as an honorary member. It is also the responsibility of the person in charge of the BTMA to inform the NASG Membership Chairman when a BTMA recipient is deceased in order that the Membership Chairman can remove the deceased from the current membership listing.
Funding
The cost of the plaque/trophy and costs of NASG membership will be financed from the NASG General Fund.
Origination
Dick Schlott and the Deep South S Gaugers originated the Bernie Thomas Memorial Award shortly after Bernie's death.
Award Recipients
| 1966 | Wallace Collins |
| 1967 | Frank Titman |
| 1968 | Frank Titman |
| 1969 | Ed Schumacher (d) |
| 1970 | John Bortz |
| 1971 | Robert Blois (d) |
| 1972 | Claud Wade |
| 1973 | Howard Sandusky (d) |
| 1974 | Donald Heimburger |
| 1975 | Leonard Giovannoli (d) |
| 1976 | Walter Graeff (d) |
| 1977 | Barbara & Joshua (d) Seltzer |
| 1978 | G. Richard Cataldi |
| 1979 | Donald Heimburger |
| 1980 |
John Sudimak (d)
|
| 1981 | Ernie Horr (d) |
| 1982 | Don & Robin Thompson |
| 1983 | Tom Coughlan (d) |
| 1984 | Sam & Elaine Powell |
| 1985 | Avery "Swede" Norlin (d) |
| 1986 | Ronald Bashista |
| 1987 | Rollain Mercier |
| 1988 | Donald DeWitt |
| 1989 | Tom Marsh |
| 1990 | Bill Krause (d) |
| 1991 | Kent L. Singer |
| 1992 | Russell M. Mobley (d) |
| 1993 | James A. Kindraka |
| 1994 | Michael R. Ferraro |
| 1995 | Richard N. Karnes |
| 1996 | Douglas G. Peck |
| 1997 | Diane & Billy Wade |
| 1998 | Alan Evans |
| 1999 | Edward Loizeaux |
| 2000 | Lee Johnson |
| 2001 | Thomas G. Robinson, Jr. |
| 2002 | Paul Yorke |
| 2003 | Craig O'Connell |
| 2004 | John Foley |
| 2005 | Bill Mark, Jr. |
| 2006 | Jess Bennett |
| 2007 | Stan Furmanak |
| 2008 | Bob Werre |
| 2009 | Jeff Madden |
| 2010 | Ron and Sue Sebastian |
| 2011 | Dan Navarre |