Wallace (Wally) M. Byam
From notes and other information provided by Dale (Pee Wee) Schwamborn
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Wallace (Wally) M. Byam
From notes and other information provided by Dale (Pee Wee) Schwamborn
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“He could throw out challenges faster than they could be picked up. He kept all of those associated with him working beyond their known capacity and accomplishing what they knew full well to be impossible. He had an uncanny way of giving confidence; when he said you could do it you didn't question him. you did it. He was an embodiment of the pioneer spirit which gave America its tough fiber” - Part of the memorial written by Helen Byam Schwamborn National Director, Wally Byam Caravan Club
Wally Byam was born in 1896 and Helen Byam Schwamborn, Wally's first cousin was born in 1904 in Baker OR. Their fathers were brothers. Bert and Ray Byam. As children and young adults Wally and Helen had little contact. Little did either know that Wally would become Mr. Airstream and Helen would become Mrs. Wally Byam Caravan Club.
Wally Byam's favorite city was Paris. His business provided him the opportunity to leave for a week or two whenever to go to Paris. In 1956, on the Caravan to Europe, Wally had a Solex motor bike. He kept it on the back of his trailer. One early morning in Paris, 3:30 A.M. or there about, Wally knocked on my Mother's trailer and asked her to dress. She did. She road side saddle behind Wally. They went from the campsite to Montmartre. Wally had a favorite little restaurant that cooked the best onion soup in the city. My Mother and Wally enjoyed the soup. It was my understanding that the soup was as good as gets and better than any onion soup my Mother had later on.
I believe that Wally made this list (a PDF file) out for my Mother and me at the end of the African Caravan. When the two Caravans met, my Mother and I went on to Holland to ship home. One of our stops was a week in Paris. As I have mentioned this was one of Wally' "most" favorite cities. Onion soup, Blue Beret, cuisine and on. You will note Wally has the onion soup listed under the food section. The paper, the typing and the writing are Wally's.
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Early Byam to Airstream. |
Airstream to 1945. |
Airstream 1945 until his death in 1962. |
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Read Neil Vanderbilt's 1952 Newsletter – it describes his latest trailer and the Presidental Convention in Chicago amongst other interesting tibits. (pdf document)
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Wally used two watches for ever. He had the two watches connected with Spidel bands. This allowed Wally to remove them both simultaneously from his wrist. Two watches? Why? Local time when he traveled and home time (Los Angeles). Because the two watches were connected to each other by expanding bands, it was possible to move one watch to the top of the wrist or to the bottom, and of course cock his wrist to read the bottom watch. Because of the two expansion bands he could easily remove both watches from his wrist with one swoop. After Wally's passing Stel Byam gave it to me. |
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This hat is visible in the photograph taken in Africa, of Wally's Gold Trailer, showing the front shelf. There are two pith helmets this is one of them. I believe this was Stel's. The band is intact on this one, it is broken on the other. As mentioned Wally had a very large head. The other one slipped over my ears. This one didn't.
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The documents provided and the pictures in these photo galleries have been used with permission of Dale Schwamborn. They are intended for personal viewing and enjoyment only and are not to be used in part or in full on other websites, for commercial purpose, or for any other use. For information on this material you can contact Dale at peewee@sierranevadaairstreams.org
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