THE ALICE LAWRENCE FORBES
SEAPLANE SCHOLARSHIP

By Jim Forbes

The “ALF GIRLS SCHOLARSHIP” is established in loving memory of my late wife, Alice Lawrence Forbes.

Alice was born in Dundalk, Maryland, on March 31, 1944. Her father, William Knight Lawrence, was a civil engineer working on World War II related projects. The family moved to Monkton, Maryland, when Alice was five years old. She graduated from high school in Hereford, Maryland, a small village near Monkton.

After earning a degree in psychology from Centre College in Kentucky, she returned to Monkton. We met when she was a Research Assistant for a psychiatric research firm based at Spring Grove State Hospital (for the mentally ill) in Catonsville, Maryland. At the time, we were working for the same company. I soon left my position there and established The Forbes Group. Alice joined me there as a fulltime employee.

We had our first date flying a Piper Super Cruiser. She loved it so much that we soon bought an airplane together. We were married on December 31, 1968. Thus began our 56-year life together. We have owned 12 airplanes -- which were used for business as well as for pleasure. Three remain: a 1946 Aeronca Chief, a Piper PA12 Super Cruiser on Wipline 2100A amphibious floats, and a 1981 Cessa 180K.

Although not a licensed pilot, Alice was my flying companion and copilot for over 4,000 hours. In June 2014 while we were attending the “Sentimental Journey” fly-in at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Alice was bitten by an insect while sitting under the wing of our Cessna 180. Thirty hours later, she was disabled. That event evolved into bacterial encephalitis -- which caused severe brain damage. She died eight years later on October 28, 2022.

Over the years, Alice contributed to a number of women’s organizations, including the Katahdin Wings of the Ninety-Nines.

The “ALF GIRLS” project is established to honor Alice’s passion for aviation and to continue her support of women who share that passion.

Although not a licensed pilot, Alice was my flying companion and copilot for over 4,000 hours. In June 2014 while we were attending the “Sentimental Journey” fly-in at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Alice was bitten by an insect while sitting under the wing of our Cessna 180. Thirty hours later, she was disabled. That event evolved into bacterial encephalitis -- which caused severe brain damage. She died eight years later on October 28, 2022.

Over the years, Alice contributed to a number of women’s organizations, including the Katahdin Wings of the Ninety-Nines.

The “ALF GIRLS” project is established to honor Alice’s passion for aviation and to continue her support of women who share that passion.