I took the photo in Corvallis, OR on 7-30-1989 about 8 months before he died
The Fred Sebby Memorial Scholarship Fund was created after Fred died in May of 1990, beginning with donations that came from many family members and pilot friends. A display case was unveiled at the Chino Air Museum in 1991, with memorabilia and photos of Fred's flying career.
Fred was born in 1938 in northern Minnesota and ever since he saw a squadron of P-51s fly over our little town during WWII, he was hooked for life. He had his room wallpapered with aircraft photos and models hanging from the ceiling, etc. Beginning in high school, he worked to get enough money for flying lessons and finally got a Piper Cub. From there he moved up to the PT-19 and then AT-6, before flying the P-51 and P-40, and many, many other WWII aircraft. In his 20s, he finally quit working a regular job. When he wasn't flying, he was buying and selling aircraft parts, ferrying aircraft, etc. He raced at Homestead, Texas and many years at Reno, flew at air shows around the country and was well-known and liked in the flying world.
In November of 1989, Fred was proud to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at El Segundo High School (where he graduated from). Each year since he died in May of 1990, I have given a scholarship to a graduating senior there.
The scholarship is given for Aviation or Fine Arts. If there is no one for Aviation, I give it for Art or Music, since Fred was also a musician and terrific artist. 2006 will be the 16th year for the scholarship to be given.
Since it's inception, I have donated my time and efforts to raise money for the fund by soliciting donations, selling some of Fred's flying memorabilia, and from donations for copies of his movie and air racing cartoons. I have tried to manage the fund so it will be perpetual and not run out of money. I was granted a non-profit status for the fund, so any outright donation or amount donated over and above the value of an item received, is tax deductible.
All donation checks should be made out to:
Fred Sebby Scholarship Fund
and sent to me:
Marcia S. Winborne-Graven
24211 Ash Court
Auburn, CA 95602
Email me with any questions or to order something.
mswgraven@gmail.com