By Gerry & Kathy Dunn, F347311
November 2012
Imagine, 45 years ago, inviting every “house car” or motorhome owner you could locate in the Denver, Colorado, area to your home for a get-together to share the passion for camping in a house on wheels. Howard and Jerre Ferrin of Golden, Colorado, did just that, creating a spark on July 23, 1966, that’s led to a 45-year rolling adventure for the Rocky Mountain chapter.
In October of that same year, the charter group of 18 house car and motorhome owners met at Chief Hosa Campground in Golden and decided to join a new organization called Family Motor Coach Association. At that time, FMCA would send organizers to advise and guide prospective clubs interested in joining the association. Ken Scott, FMCA’s executive director at the time, and Bob Miller, then national treasurer, traveled to Colorado to help the Rocky Mountain group get started. FMCA, only three years old and with fewer than 2,000 family members, chartered its eighth chapter, Rocky Mountain, on January 3, 1967.
The original chapter’s scope included the states of Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and the western portions of Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The chapter’s area was so expansive that many of the original members formed new chapters closer to their homes. The chapter’s current scope encompasses the Colorado Front Range and southern Wyoming. Chapter membership has ranged from the original 18 charter members to a high of 200 member families. The chapter currently has more than 90 member families on its rolls.
The mountain that inspired the tune “America The Beautiful,” Pikes Peak, was the dramatic backdrop for Rocky Mountain’s 45th anniversary rally at the Colorado Springs KOA in Fountain, Colorado, July 20 to 22, 2012. Thirty-five motorhomes and more than 70 members and their guests converged to share friendship and camaraderie, fond memories, chapter history, and to pay respect to the chapter’s past members. Val and Agnes Busch, chapter members since 1983, were recognized as our longest-tenured members in attendance. Kathy Dunn put together an extensive slide-show presentation and displayed numerous photo albums dating back to 1967. The visual exhibit brought joy, tears, and several belly laughs to those in attendance. National director Bob Patterson took the stage and auctioned off a 12-year-old Hershey chocolate bar that’s been circulating in chapter fundraising activities over the years. An amazing $1,175 was raised for our chapter’s current charity, Warm Hearts~Warm Babies.
Allen Rein, FMCA’s national senior vice president and a former Rocky Mountain chapter president, and his lovely wife, Glenda, also were on hand for the celebration. Allen presented a certificate from FMCA to chapter president Jack Jones and national director Bob Patterson recognizing the chapter’s 45 years of contributions to the association. The festivities culminated with a succulent prime rib dinner and outstanding entertainment from a top-rated Frank Sinatra impersonator. It was a joy to see almost everyone in attendance singing along and reminiscing.
The 45th Rocky Mountain chapter anniversary rally was a tremendous success. The chapter looks forward to another memorable 45 years. Just envision the types of futuristic motorhomes our members will be enjoying in 2057!