ISHOF Inductees - 2001
Richard & Audrey Decker | John Mitchell | John & Rita Ham | Dick & Anne Melick
Richard "Dick" and Audrey Decker - Promoters
Eagle River, Wisconsin
Richard "Dick" and Audrey Decker
Richard and Audrey Decker started snowmobiling with a 1964 Ski-Doo. Since then, they have been active in snowmobiling, racing, owning a snowmobile dealership, starting "Team Oasis" (which turned into the Ambassadors of Snowmobiling) and becoming active members of the Iron Dog Brigade. Richard has served as President of the United States Snowmobile Association (USSA) and the first Vice President of the World Snowmobile Federation. He was voted "Iron Dog Snowmobiler of the Year" in 1993 and one of the "25 Who Made a Difference in Snowmobiling." Audrey helped to start the first Women on Snowin Eagle River. They were dubbed "The Original Ambassadors of Snowmobiling" in 1989 by Snowmobile Magazine. They also belong to two (2) Michigan, a Wisconsin and a Canadian Snowmobile Club. Richard and Audrey brought a new level of expertise to the tourism industry and helped spread the "family fun" concept of snowmobiling internationally. They embarked on creating a selection of tours that appealed to veteran and novice snowmobilers as well as those who weren't even sure what a snowmobile was. They expanded the boundaries of snowmobiling beyond the North America to include Europe, Iceland, Lapland and the former Soviet Union. Their tours have been voted "Best in the Snowbelt" by the readers of Snow Goer magazine for at least five (5) consecutive years. In 1981, Richard led the Ambassadors of Snowmobiling from St. Paul, MN to Valcourt, Quebec, Canada carrying a flag from President Ronald Reagan to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The Eagle River Derby Track, purchased by Richard and Audrey in 1985, hosts World Championship snowmobile racing each year, an investment in snowmobiling's future which features a unique venue for snowmobile-related events that goes beyond racing.
John M. Mitchell - Volunteer and Club Organizer
Sheridan, Wyoming
John took his first snowmobile ride in 1966. After his military service, he joined the Big Horn Mountain Snomads snowmobile club and, in 1978, became their President. He has been involved with drag and oval racing, attending the state association fun days and has been director of the Hill Climb committee. John has helped raise funds through snowmobiling for scholarships, National Snowmobile Foundation, charitable organizations and the Iditarod Snowmobile Friendship Ride. In 1980, John volunteered to become editor for what was to become the Wyoming's Snowmobile Newsline. During his four (4) years as Editor, he served as Vice President and President of the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association and attended his first International Snowmobile Congress at Denver, Colorado in 1982. Since 1984, John has been involved in legislative issues and helping the snowmobile gas tax pass to make the snowmobile program more self sufficient. In 1986, John was appointed legislative chairman for the state association, serving until 1992. In 1985, John was elected to to the position of Chairman of the Western Chapter ISC. He served on the Editorial Board for the newly formed Blue Ribbon Coalition and continues to be a member of the organization since its founding. Moving on to a position as Co-Chair of the International Snowmobile Council in 1988, then Chairman of the Council in 1990, John was also Past Chairman of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA). John also served on the Advisory Board to the newly formed National Snowmobile Foundation and then became a member of their Board. He was inducted in to the Iron Dog Brigade in 1988 and served on their Board. John has received many awards during his 28 volunteering years; Outstanding Snowmobiler Award, Most Valuable Snowmobiler, Award of Excellence in Snowmobiling and the George Eisunhuth Distinguished Service Award. The organizations he has been involved in from local to international include: Big Horn Mountain Snomads, Wyoming State Snowmobile Association, International Snowmobile Congress, Western Chapter, ISC Council, Thirsty Dogs, Blue Ribbon Coalition, International Snowmobile Council, National Snowmobile Foundation, Iron Dog Brigade and ACSA.
John M. Mitchell
Rita and John Ham - Publisher and Journalists
Snowmass, Colorado
John and Rita have been involved with snowmobiling for over the last twenty (20) years and have been invaluable in their publishing of the Colorado Snowmobile Association newspaper the "Snow Scoop" for the past eleven (11) years. They both have helped get the word out to all the snowmobilers in Colorado on important issues. One major effort was when the Colorado Legislature was about to vote the snowmobile registration program out of business. Snow Scoop came out swinging with editorial support and promoted many article that helped win the battle with correct, complete and concise information. John and Rita also have had a long history with the Aspen Snowmobile Club where they have held many elected offices. They have assisted in trail development along with search and rescues. In addition to publishing, they operated the Western Chapter of the International Snowmobile Council annual Belt Buckle Program. This program has raised thousands of dollars for the Western Chapter's scholarship program since its inception. They attend the International Snowmobile Council in Rapid City, South Dakota to learn how to set up club/association membership. They brought back the information and together they became the Membership Committee of Colorado Snowmobile Association for many years. They are very active in the International Snowmobile Media Council. John has been Chairman and Co-Chairman. He helped form a computer bulletin board for media to share information. He gave presentations on the internet and electronic publishing.
John and Rita Ham
Richard "Dick" and Anne Melick - Volunteers
Cedar Falls, Iowa
