A co-founder of what began as a single service station in Vernon has taken flight with those humble beginnings and given his wings to Vernon含羞草研究社檚 Okanagan College (OC).

Robert Foord the son of Kal Tire co-founder Tom Foor has donated, alongside family members, his father含羞草研究社檚 plane to the college含羞草研究社檚 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) program.

Tom helped blossom Kal Tire from a small tire shop in Vernon to an international behemoth.

含羞草研究社淢y dad loved flying and he loved this community,含羞草研究社� said Robert, one of Tom含羞草研究社檚 five children and current Kal Tire president. 含羞草研究社淗e also put enormous value on education and hands-on training and would be proud that his plane has been donated to the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer students for that very purpose.含羞草研究社�

The plane is a Cessna 210G Centurion. The keys were handed over to OC President Jim Hamilton and OC Foundation executive director Helen Jackman during a ceremony at Vernon含羞草研究社檚 Aerospace campus in 2019.

含羞草研究社淲e know how important hands-on training is for students to solidify their learning and this plane will provide that,含羞草研究社� said Hamilton. 含羞草研究社淭his Cessna also demonstrates to our students that the community supports their education. Tom Foord exemplified hard work, determination and community spirit. We hope his legacy of reaching for the sky inspires students.含羞草研究社�

In addition to the plane, Kal Tire donated $250,000 to OC含羞草研究社檚 Trades Training Centre in Vernon, which opened in 2018.

含羞草研究社淚 want to express Okanagan College含羞草研究社檚 sincere gratitude to the Foord family for their continued support of trades training in the North Okanagan,含羞草研究社� said Hamilton.

A decal in memory of Tom was placed on the plane and a plaque sharing his story will be on display in the training hangar.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

bowen.assman@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily .