Blog Posting # 855; Copyright 15 August 2025. EducateMHC
50 YEARS YOUNG; the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame
A Summary of the early history of the foundation, 1972-2025
Introduction. I have been researching and penning a comprehensive history of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame for the past two years. I expect it’ll be another two years before I have a manuscript ready for printing, binding, and distribution. What follows here is a brief look at some of the history of the foundation. If you have RV &/or MH anecdotes, and historical tidbits, to share on this subject, please let me know via gfa7156@aol.com Here goes…
Year 1972 is historic for several reasons. Internationally, it was a black year due to terrorism interrupting Olympic sports when Arab gunmen massacred 11 Israeli athletes in Europe. Nationally, 1972 marked the beginning of the Watergate fiasco, one of the greatest U.S. political scandals in modern times.
In manufactured housing circles however, 1972 was a Banner Year, boasting the second highest production level year in industry history, with 575,940 new mobile homes shipped! And 1973 exceeded this euphoric level by 4,000 units, when 579,940 new homes were shipped! Unfortunately, two years later – in 1975, these acme shipment levels, for financial and regulatory reasons, plummeted to 212,690 new homes shipped. Since then, it’s been a veritable roller coaster ride of fluctuating annual production totals, affecting financial support for the RV/MH Hall of Fame, museum and library. (Editorial note. Given the dearth of recreational vehicle production totals, that perspective is absent from this summary.)
Riding the 1972 MH shipment euphoria, a group of 10 manufactured housing recreational vehicle trade magazine publishers, attending an MHMA meeting (predecessor to MHI) in Washington, DC on 22 March, announced the first Hall of Fame class comprised of 14 pioneers. Inductees included industry pioneers Betty Orr, Jerry Golden, Wally Byam, Elmer Frey, Kristian Jensen and several others. First Hall of Fame headquarters was the business office of its first chairman, later a loaned desk in the National Bank of Elkhart. Early years were tough going, with members paying utility bills. In time, Jack Tuff and Vern Sailor convinced the city of Elkhart to donate six acres of urban renewal land for the first Hall of Fame facility, built in 1990. First major donors were Winnebago and MHI, until the RV industry became more involved during the early 2000s. (Editorial note. Interestingly; some recall an early name version as being MH/RV Hall of Fame). A new 80,000 square foot RV/MH Hall of Fame museum and library facility opened on the east side of Elkhart during 2007. And during year, 2021, a new manufactured housing display area was opened to the public.
Some interesting facts about past year inductees into the RV/MH Hall of Fame, beginning with the varying number of inductees each year. 1972 = 14; 1973 = 11; 1974 = 10; 1977 = ‘0’; and years 1984, 86, 89 & 94 saw only three new inductees each year. Beginning in 2014 and thereafter, annual classes have numbered ten individuals; five each from the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industries.
Who’re some of the MH industry pioneers inducted into the prestigious RV/MH Hall of Fame during the past five decades?
- At least eight father and son pairings (as of 2024), of which three ‘fathers’ have authored autobiographies: Jim Clayton, the late Kris Jensen, and late Ralph Scoular.
- Other Hall of Fame enshrinees who’ve authored autobiographies include the late John Crean, twins Harrell & Darrell Cohron, Alvan L. Schrader and George Allen
- One pair of twins; Darrell & Harrell Cohron from Indianapolis.
- At least one married couple: Warren & Mary Jackson
- More than a half dozen founders of housing manufacturer firms, e.g. John Crean, Art Decio, Bob DeRose, Jim Shea, Sr., Elmer Frey, Harold Platt.
- Some notable individuals: Ricky Bucchino ‘did it all’ (i.e. MHRetailer, manufacturer, community owner, and association director), was known as ‘Mr. Florida MH’ until he died; Dr. Carlton Edwards, prolific author and director of Michigan State University’s Mobile Homes Education Program; Dick Moore, longest operating MHRetailer, who sold a MH to Elvis Presley; and Grayson Schwepfinger, perennial trainer of ‘company store’ and independent (street) MHRetailers everywhere.
An interesting and welcome phenomenon, of late, has been the growing number of women pioneers and executives being inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame. The late Betty Orr was a member of the inaugural 1972 class. Since then there’ve been others, listed here alphabetically:
- Lisa Drake Connor of MO. Early spokesperson for the MH industry, via media events and among legislators. Worked to improve industry & image.
- Theresa M. Desfosses of ME. Since 1968, she fabricated and sold new manufactured homes via Burlington Homes, & developed communities.
- Patricia Fiederer of NY. President of Latham Homes & developed land lease communities. A 40 year member and leader of New York MH Association.
- Ruth D. Kaseman of AZ. Active in housing since 1944. Founder of Arizona MH Owners Association, and a co-founder of the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
- Christine Lindsey, MHM, of TN. Career regional property manager for UMH Properties. Energetic promoter of manufactured housing nationwide.
- Betty Orr of IL. Well known after-market supplier, MH retailer &association leader. First female interior designer to work in manufactured housing
- Debra Pizer, MHM of IL. Retired property management executive with Zeman MHC; female mentor in community management & retail sales.
- Maggie Stephenson of IN. Founder and developer of Stephenson land lease communities, an independent MH retailer. Past president of IMHA/RVIC.
- Glenna Tollett of WA. Developer and operator of three land lease communities in WA. Executive director of the Washington MH Association.
- Doris Woodward of CA. Editor of Trailer Life magazine in 1940s & 50s. Also with Jenkins Publishing as a columnist writing about manufactured homes.
- Mary I. Younkin of OH. 50 year veteran of manufactured housing; served Ohio MH Association for 30 years. Founded Dycom Industries.
- Karen Redfern, VP of marketing at ‘Go Rving!’ promotional program
- Darlene Stahla-Gardner, President & owner of Henry Stahla Mobile Homes
- Paula Reeves, CIS Financial Services president
While this is an impressive list of 14 female RV/MH Hall of Fame enshrinees (The last three were inducted during year 2023), their number comprises only 3 percent of all inductees honored since 1972!
Again, if you have knowledge or experience of RV and or MH historic events during years past, please share them with me ASAP. I’m working with a 53 year timeline and will insert your contribution(s) where and when appropriate.
George Allen, EducateMHC