Lifetime Achievement Award Presented To Mike Dorffler

In recognition of his many years of producing successful designs for the model rocket hobbyist, The National Association of Rocketry recently awarded its first Lifetime Achievement Award for Rocket Design to Mike Dorffler, long time employee of Estes Industries.  In making the award, Trip Barber, NAR President, stated:

“ I want to recognize and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to our hobby through your work as the longest-serving and most prolific rocket designer at the world’s largest model rocket company.  Your creative design skills and your ability to translate this creativity into over two hundred and fifty successful mass-produced kits plus a wide range of other products have shaped our hobby for over forty-two years.  When those of us who have been in the hobby for many years reflect on the greatest products ever introduced, the names of your creations are always at the top of the list – from the Cineroc to the Astrocam to the Alpha III.  America likes to fly what you have designed.”

On behalf of the NAR, Vernon Estes (NAR 380) presented the Designer Award to Mike at his home in Canon City, Colorado on June 4, 2010.   In presenting the award, Vern, former owner and president of Estes Industries, stated that Mike’s work has been outstanding, and felt the award was well earned.  He thanked Mike for his many years of contributions to the hobby of Model Rocketry noting that his work ethic and unique approach to product creation has allowed him to make a lasting imprint on the model rocket hobby.  

Mike Dorffler (64) recently resigned his position at Estes Industries following a diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer.  During his years as an Estes designer many innovative products were created and marketed.  His applied knowledge and skills cover such fields as photography, electronics, rocket design, drafting, scale modeling, package layout and design, rocket propellants and motor design, radio control model airplanes and engines, and many, many others.  From complex products such as the Cineroc, to that simple little igniter plug used today for every rocket flight, Mike’s ingenuity is apparent.   During his illustrious career, when Mike needed knowledge about something he unhesitatingly delved into the necessary research to come up with the answers.  Beginning his work at Estes when most model rockets were sold by mail order, through today when rockets are sold through hobby shops, WalMart and the Internet, he has seen it all.  His contributions will be enjoyed for many years to come by America’s rocketeers.