Dolores Neunteufel Photo by Bonnie Kratz

The first Dorothy Hilbert Volunteer Award will be presented this year, honoring a female EAA volunteer who exhibits the same passion, dedication, and devotion for volunteerism as did the late Dorothy Hilbert. The inaugural recipient is Dolores Neunteufel, who chairs the EAA AirVenture Assistance Center.

Buck Hilbert created the award to honor the memory of his wife and steadfast EAA volunteer, Dorothy, who passed away last year. "Dorothy was a dedicated 35-year volunteer at AirVenture," Buck said. "She was known as the ‘Hangar Queen at the Wearhouse,’ because she has helped organize all of the women volunteers."

The award will be presented Sunday, July 29, at the Volunteer Wind-down Party at the EAA Nature Center.

After the death of her husband, Dolores was inspired to volunteer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh where she became chair of Camper Registration at EAA’s Camp Scholler. She is also actively involved in Chapter 101 and continues to participate in the chapter’s weekend work party. Along with other women in her chapter, she meets each month to craft decorations for all the chapter events and has developed a line of aviation-themed decorative objects, which they sell at various events. Proceeds from sales fund the Chapter 101 Scholarship Program.

Dolores also participated in the painting of 55-gallon drums that are used as trash barrels on the AirVenture grounds, contributing to the notoriously clean environment found at the Oshkosh convention.

"It’s nice being recognized for my work," Dolores said. "I volunteer because it’s a rewarding experience."

When EAA staff took over Camper Registration operations, Dolores moved to the newly created Assistance Center. She has successfully operated this area, plus the satellite Assistance Center at Gate 346. "We help people with any misunderstandings or directional questions they may have," Dolores said. "The main purpose is really to listen and help people in any way we can."

"Dolores is one of those ‘quiet volunteers’ who has always worked behind the scenes and not in the spotlight," said Sandy Marsh, chairman of the Activities Center. "She has always has been willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done."

Dolores Neunteufel’s name will appear on a brass plate that will be attached to a plaque with Dorothy Hilbert’s picture. It will be located in the EAA AirVenture Museum by the Hall of Fame area.