In addition to F.E. Warren U.S. Air Force Base outside of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Atlas missiles were also installed by Convair Astronautics employees and military personnel at Fairchild U.S. Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington. This exhibit page highlights a picnic set up by Convair for its employees at Lake Coeur D’Alene on July 9th, 1961, around an hour’s drive from Spokane, Washington.

View of the Lake Coeur D’Alene shore on the day of the picnic.

The draft beer committee ensuring that people have refreshments during the picnic.

The refreshment committee posing for a photograph under the gazebo. It should be noted that the refreshment committee and draft beer committee were separate authorities at the picnic.

Convair employee showing his family examples of the work completed by Convair Astronautics employees at Fairchild U.S. Air Force Base.

Convair employees and their families enjoying movie time during the picnic. All movies were provided by a Mr. Dale Fields.

Convair Astronautics employees Betty Schiewe and Jenny Moller with their families. Unfortunately, it is not stated which person is Betty or Jenny.

William F. Chana and his family with Cliff Clickner at the picnic.

Exhibit spotlight: William F. Chana

Seen third from the left in the previous photograph, William F. Chana served as the Base Manager for Convair Astronautics at Fairchild U.S. Air Force Base. This was only one of his many positions held during his 32 years of service at Convair, though. He also worked as a flight test engineer on multiple bomber plane models and as Base Manager for Sycamore Canyon Test Site near San Diego, California. He influenced the San Diego aviation community outside of his work at Convair too, as he served as the President of the San Diego Air & Space Museum in the 1990s. More photos of William F. Chana can be viewed in the following section of the exhibit: General photos. If you wish to learn more about Chana, more information can be found in the William Chana Personal Papers collection. 

Employee portrait of William F. Chana.

Next page in this exhibit.