CHAPTER LONGEVITY
Recognizing Family RV Association’s long lineage of chapters, some dating back to the 1960s.
By Robbin Gould, Director of Communications
Bob Richter, FMCA founder and first president (right) and Tom Duck, the fourth president.
Summer prompts road trips and, often, reunions with friends. Thus, it seems fitting to recognize some milestones being celebrated within the FRVA family: the association’s founding and our longest-running circles of friendship — our chapters.
Dateline: Hinckley. In July 1963, Bob Richter, a self-proclaimed “bus nut,” invited 25 owners of similar vehicles to join his family at a weekend gathering in Hinckley, Maine. Camped in a field on the grounds of the Hinckley School, the families socialized, enjoyed a ringside seat to view a solar eclipse, and discussed ideas about creating an organization for “house car” owners. On July 20, the group formed Family Motor Coach Association.
Bring on the chapters. But Bob’s idea wasn’t new. By that time, several small, geographically based groups of motorhome owners had already met elsewhere in the U.S., sharing information and good times. Eventually, some of them joined the FMCA fold. In 1964, the inaugural issue of <I>Family Motor Coaching<I> magazine, as this publication was called then, described the formation of “regional groups.”
By 1965, the association officially recognized four chapters: Michigan (later called Michigan Knights of the Highway), Midwest Coachmen, Northeastern, and California. In 1966, along came the Pioneers, 20th Century Wagontrainers, and Badger. Rounding out the “top 10,” Rocky Mountain, Lone Star, and Northwestern received chapter charters in 1967. Eight of these original groups remain active today.
The Badger chapter has been rallying since 1966.
In fact, at this writing, 40 Family RV Association chapters are still in existence after 50 years or more.
The national office supports the creation and growth of FRVA chapters, continuing an effort that began in the early years. Charles Owens, a board member and future national president, wrote in 1965, “The national board of directors are elated with the progress made in the formation of regional chapters. It goes without saying that the future of FMCA rests with the establishment of new chapters and the growth of these already formed.”
Today, FRVA recognizes approximately 200 active chapters.
Rally traditions. Some early rally activities also continue to the present day at FRVA events large and small.
For example, commercial RV representatives were on hand at chapter rallies to mingle with members and discuss vehicle basics. In 1964, Ray Frank of Frank Motorhomes (producer of the Dodge motorhome) visited the Midwest Coachmen chapter, along with officials from Flxible and Custom Coach Corporation. The Midwest Coachmen also welcomed Blue Bird and Clark Cortez officials to their fall 1965 rallies, as did the Pioneer chapter.
Youngsters had some impromptu fun at a Northeastern chapter rally.
Learning more, more, more! about one’s RV was also a big part of those early gatherings. Rally reports from a 1965 California chapter rally described numerous organized chats focusing on RVs and the RV lifestyle — perhaps the association’s first-ever seminars. “At various times during the weekend, discussion sessions were held on CB radios, coach conversions, and coach insurance. A great deal of interest was shown in these discussions,” wrote chapter secretary Junia Duck.
Ken Scott, FMCA’s first executive director, and his wife, Dotty, join a Michigan Knights of the Highway potluck.
At scheduled times, chapter members were invited to tour each other’s motorhomes. If a “yes” card was displayed in the front window, that meant the coach owner welcomed visitors.
Kids, and hijinks, were part of the rally fun, too. Paul Collins recapped a Northeastern chapter rally in Massachusetts: “While I had my back to the kids, they hooked up the tow rope to my coach. I turned around to see it heading toward the highway with about 60 kids providing the pull power.”
The California chapter began holding rallies in 1965, the year the group was formed.
Ask a longtime chapter member for their own stories, and they’ll likely have many to share, including those that involve the fun and friendships they’ve treasured through the years.
Learn more about Family RV Association’s chapters at frva.com/frva-find-a-chapter.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
In honor of Family RV Association’s July anniversary, we also recognize the 40 FRVA chapters that are celebrating their own anniversaries of 50 years or more in 2026. Here’s to many more to come!
20th Century Wagontrainers – 60
Allegheny Mountain – 51
Arizona – 58
Arkansas Travelers – 53
Badger – 60
California – 61
Capitol – 57
Central Florida Roadrunners – 52
Cruisin’ Cajuns – 56
Dixie Traveliers – 57
Fingerlakers – 54
Florida Roll’n Gators – 52
GMC Forty Niners – 50
GMC Pacific Cruisers – 50
Green Mountain – 52
Hoosier Cruisers – 52
Illini – 58
The Jewels International – 51
Lincoln Landers – 52
Lincolnland Coachmen – 52
Lone Star – 59
Long Islanders – 53
Metropolitan – 51
Michigan Knights of the Highway – 61
Midwest Coachmen – 61
Midwest Trailroaders – 51
Mountaineer – 50
Niagara Frontier Travelers – 51
Northwestern – 59
Oregon Trail Drivers – 51
Over The Hills – 52
Penn Coachmen – 57
Rocky Mountain – 59
Roll’n Rebels – 58
Smokey Bear – 51
Snake River Valley – 51
Stars of Texas – 50
Sun Wheelers – 52
Tri-State Traveliers – 52
Yankee Travelers – 52
FINAL TRIP
Viola Aysh, L21288, Warner Robins, Georgia
Greg Beatty, F494139, Dallas, Georgia
Ruth Bledsoe, F413921, Adams, Tennessee
Rhondos Brye, F389303, Griffin, Georgia
Katrina Cooper, F487025, Tucson, Arizona
Lorraine Cyr, L6929, Webster, Massachusetts
Eileen Dallas, L4783, Muskegon, Michigan
Arthur Danner, L8461, Apple Valley, Minnesota
Emmylou Dornaus, L13888, Peoria, Illinois
Alden Ehler, F9331, Essex Junction, Vermont
Emily Ehler, F9331, Essex Junction, Vermont
Marge France, L23590, Wildwood, Missouri
Edmund Gauthier, F257109, Leominster, Massachusetts
Tom Guyette, F518090, Wilsonville, Oregon
Melvin Haskins, A166007, Davenport, Florida
James Hayes, F47013, Polk City, Florida
Janice Jensen, F439608, Standard, Alberta
Michael McKinley, F163678, Ada, Michigan
Richard McLachlin, F463605, Spokane, Washington
Prentice Meeks, F123946, Davenport, Florida
Noralou North, A9643, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Ginette Provost, F353890, Varennes, Quebec
William Renna, F327919, Eatontown, New Jersey
Lee Sagorac, F411862, Winneconne, Wisconsin
Lawrence Sanders, F426046, Beecher, Illinois
Judy Schoon, F269422, Spirit Lake, Indiana
Jack Sogomonian, F493704, Walnut Creek, California
Richard Sparrow, F425617, East Syracuse, New York
Hal Stewart, F349893, Bakersfield, California
Cheryl Stricker, F290251, Coachella, California
Martiee Vannatta, F487260, Brownsburg, Indiana
Carolyn Warner, F419752, Gladys, Virginia
Charlie Weatherman, F405470, Mooresville, North Carolina