Our story begins with a young man, Victor Stanzel, plowing a field on his family farmland and intrigued with some birds winging their way across the sky. Along with his youngest brother, Joseph Stanzel, this vision of nature created a model airplane manufacturing enterprise, a foundation devoted to giving back to the community in the areas of education and health, and a museum.
Victor and Joseph lived on the family farm near Schulenburg, Texas. In 1918, when the boys were eight and two years of age, their father died and their mother moved from the farm to the new residence in town. They grew up as average working farm boys for their Uncle Ferdinand and Aunt Anna.
At an early age, Victor started his hobby, carving balsa wood into toy airplanes in the bedroom of his mother's residence. He developed his curiosity about flying model airplanes observing birds in flight while working in the field.
Working with his brother Joseph, Victor's first major project was to design and build a full-scale two-seat aircraft modified as an amusement ride. He named it the "Fly-A-Plane Amusement Ride" and was completed and patented in 1933.
At an early age, Victor started his hobby, carving balsa wood into toy airplanes in the bedroom of his mother's residence. He developed his curiosity about flying model airplanes observing birds in flight while working in the field.
Working with his brother Joseph, Victor's first major project was to design and build a full-scale two-seat aircraft modified as an amusement ride. He named it the "Fly-A-Plane Amusement Ride" and was completed and patented in 1933.
Today, the Stanzel Family Foundation strives to be active partners in community education and health, empowering generations of engaged citizen philanthropists.