Marian Welch Service Award

Each year the HCCA requests from Regional Groups, Affiliate Registries and individual members to nominate candidates for the club’s highest award known as The Marian Welch award.

This award is presented to member(s) who have demonstrated truly outstanding service to the HCCA. It is to recognize a member who has contributed their time and effort to make our organization the best in the antique car hobby. The award is NOT a popularity contest, but is intended to honor individuals who have rendered substantial service to the HCCA. A candidate must have been a HCCA member for a Minimum number of years (10 years); involved at a Local and / or National level; held Leadership role(s); and demonstrated truly outstanding service dedication, consistent, and continuing substantial service over the years.

Who was Marian Welch?

Marian Welch was a dedicated 20 year executive secretary for the HCCA many years ago. Through illness, she continued her work. After she passed away, the National Board of Directors established an award in her honor to be given away every year to the person nominated by the regions and voted in writing by all Board Members.

Marion Welch Award

A very large trophy with the names of all prior winners is located in the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. It is on the front counter in the museum library.

Congratulations Vic and Linda Groah! – 2021 Award Recipient

It is an honor to report that Vic and Linda Groah have been selected as the 2021 recipients of the Marian Welch Award. The Groahs have been dedicated national members of the HCCA in excess of 50 years and active members of the Tulare County Regional Group since 1972. They were also members of the Central California Regional Group when they lived in Fresno. Vic and Linda have been involved in all aspects of the hobby including restoration, touring, assistance to clubmembers, leadership positions, and ambassadors for the hobby. For both Vic and Linda, their lives have centered around old cars. They have worked tirelessly to support the Tulare County Regional Group. Vic has filled all of the club offices including president six times. Vic and Linda have organized many wonderful car tours and have hosted large social events for members. For their dedication they have been awarded life membership in the regional group.

On the national level Vic served ten years on the HCCA Board of Directors, which is a long time! Vic served on numerous committees each year while on the board. He was club secretary, president, and chairman of the board. He also served as National Convention Chairman and National Tour Coordinator four times during his tenure on the board. Vic was our National President in 1988. This could only happen with a supportive spouse like Linda. He has been granted a life membership in the HCCA. Currently, Vic is involved in planning for the possibility of a future HCCA Convention to be held in Central California.

One of Vic’s activities last year was helping bring the defunct Bakersfield Swap Meet to the International Agri-Center in Tulare. In addition, Vic and Linda arranged a post swap meet tour in short order. Plans have been finalized to hold a second swap meet and car tour based on the overwhelming success and popularity of the first event.

Vic has submitted high interest articles and materials for the Gazette in recent years contributing to the success of this premier early vehicle publication. He has also been published in other collectible car magazines and on the internet during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In 2018, with the support from the Tulare County Regional Group, Vic and Linda ran the Western Gaslight 1- and 2-cylinder Tour. Rave reports from tour participants have been received. The Groahs may be involved in a future one- and two-cylinder tour too.

Vic and Linda have restored their share of antique and Brass Era automobiles including an award winning 1912 Kissel Kar. They carried out a successful restoration business for many years specializing in construction and repair of car bodies and top bows. Over 300 car bodies were built, enabling owners to complete their restorations many of which became show winners. Linda was responsible for inspection of completed bodies, maintenance of the shop, and assisted Vic in body building where extra hands were often needed.

Vic and Linda are certainly consummate HCCA Members, well deserving of the Marian Welch Award. Without doubt, they will continue to support and carry out activities to benefit the club and its members.

Cheers to them!

Nominate Your Members

Submissions may be made only by a currently active HCCA member and a candidate should not have previously received the Award. Any nomination for the Marian Welch service award should include but not be limited to, the following types of information about the proposed candidate – Membership, Leadership, Activities, Amount and types of Service at the local and National level, Promotion of club values and Helping of others / Mentoring.

This award is presented to a member(s) who has demonstrated truly outstanding service to the HCCA. It is to recognize a member who has contributed their time and effort to make our organization the best in the antique car hobby. The award is NOT a popularity contest, but is intended to honor individuals who have rendered substantial service to the HCCA. No HCCA member can qualify as a candidate for this award while they are currently serving on the HCCA board or working as a contractor for the HCCA organization.

A candidate must have the following qualifications:

Has been an active HCCA Member for a minimum of 10 years
Active involvement at the local or national levels
Held different leadership positions
Has shown dedication, consistent, continuing, substantial service over the years
Annually nominees are sought for the award from the membership. Any member or group of individuals wishing to submit a nominee should send their nomination information to the Awards Committee at the HCCA office on or before October 31st, 2022.

Any nomination for the Marian Welch service award should include but not be limited to, the following types of information about the proposed candidate – Membership, Leadership, Activities, Amount and types of Service at the local and National level, Promotion of club values and Helping of others / Mentoring.

Due Date: Nominee application and information must be received at the HCCA office by October 31.

After the board has voted a winner of this award: Once the board has chosen a winner, that information is not to be shared with anyone until the general meeting at the next annual convention where the winner will be revealed.

Format of Application: Though there is no formal format; the key factor is to give a clear concise explanation of the long term contributions that the individual has made to HCCA over many years.

Delivery: Nominee candidate information should be sent to:

Awards Committee Chairperson – c/o HCCA Office, 3109 Fish Canyon Rd., Duarte, CA 91010

If you choose to submit your nomination by email, compose the nomination and supporting information in a document which is then attached to the email. Send the email to: office@hcca.org

These members have been so honored:

2021 Vic and Linda Groah
2020 Mike Yeakel
2019 Anne & Bill Ottemann
2018 Laura & Frank Hurley
2017 Gordon McGregor
2016 Clay Green
2015 Helen Turner
2014 C. Allan “Skip” Carpenter / Don Rising
2013 John P. Morrison
2012 Gerald Chase
2011 Conrad Fletcher
2010 John C. Meyer, III
2009 Bruce Rimmer
2008 Gary Hoonsbeen
2007 Glenn Baechler
2006 Herb Singe, Sr.
2005 George “Red” Ladner
2004 Bob Nelson / Robert Taylor
2003 Bill Cuthbert / Joe Ersland / Harold Sharon
2002 Gil Klecan / Tony Wollesen
2001 V. R. “Bob” Campbell
2000 Edgar “Bill” Campbell
1997 Barbara Hosterman
1996 Robert Lingo
1995 Agnes Young
1994 Ashley Bishop
1993 Jack R. Garrison / David K. Gast
1992 Herb Prentice
1991 Phil Reed
1990 Harry Johnson
1989 Warwick Eastwood
1988 W. Everett Miller / Arthur Twohy / Helen Frye / Vaughn Rodgers
1987 William H. Wakefield
1986 Ward Kimball
1985 Mike Roberts