THE HISTORY OF CHAPTER 63 OKLAHOMA 

            The Chapter 63 - Tulsa was started in 1980 by a group of dedicated fluid power distributors from in and around the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. The first four presidents in successive order were John Hess, Dean Hilst, Ted Schaefer, and John Marquis. After three successful years as a chapter, the interest was fading as times were changing in Oklahoma. The oil boom was on the downslide and economics was in a crunch. Everyone was working long hours and traveling over long distances. In 1982 the chapter was declared inactive. The chapter donated the treasury balance to the Oklahoma State University student chapter sponsored by Don Norvelle, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

            In 1998 there was an interest in reactivating the chapter. After several months of planning, an application was submitted for reactivation. On September 10, 1998, Chapter 63 - Tulsa received approval for reactivation from the IFPS Board of Directors. The first meeting was announced in February 1999 and no one came, the second meeting was announced in April 1999 and seven people came including Joe Martin an officer from the 1982 chapter. He officially turned over the records of the original chapter to the newly interested members. The third meeting was held June 15, 1999, in Perry, Oklahoma at The Charles Machine Works, Inc. (Ditch Witch). Twenty-nine interested people attended, officers were elected and the newly reactivated chapter was alive and well again.

            Currently we have about 80 members. We meet every other month alternating between the western and eastern side of the state. This is to accommodate as many members as possible so they can gain the maximum benefit as a member of the Fluid Power Society and Chapter 63. We also changed the name to Chapter 63 - Oklahoma, since our membership includes all of Oklahoma not only Tulsa. We divide our activities equally with plant tours, speakers, and demonstrations. Between 15 to 30 members and guests attend the meetings.

The Oklahoma State University student chapter plays an important role with Chapter 63 - Oklahoma. Their officers and members help our committees plan and set up activities and are a great asset to our chapter.

The diligent and hard work of the officers and committee members make this chapter what it is today: successful, beneficial, and enjoyable. Many members and guests have gained new ideas and a better understanding of the industry and future trends through chapter activities.

            We are looking ahead to a very successful future. We intend to attract as many newcomers as possible, students, so we have the future engineers, specialists, technicians, and mechanics needed in the field of fluid power, and end users because they are the lifeblood of our everyday existence.

President: Phil Wosmek 513 Grove Perry, OK 73077 Tel: 800-690-3278 e-mail: pwosmek@ditchwitch.com	Vice President: Young Chang 2020 N. Manning St. Stillwater, OK 74075 Tel: 405-744-7019 Fax: 405-744-7399 e-mail: ybae@okstate.com
Secretary / Treasurer: George Strecker 2204 Faircloud Edmond, OK 73034 Tel: 405-640-5724 Fax: 405-341-1293 e-mail:g.strecker@womack-machine.com