R.E. Olds Chapter History

The roots of the R.E. Olds Chapter are deep, going back over 30 years. From 1972 to 1983, an informal group of Oldsmobile Club of America (OCA) members had been operating as an informal chapter, organizing and hosting several OCA National car meets in Lansing and East Lansing, Michigan. In 1984, the R. E. Olds Chapter was officially chartered as a chapter of the parent OCA organization.
As stated in our By-Laws, this chapter is dedicated to: ". . . further the interest in all types of Oldsmobiles within this geographic region and to aid in the promoting of events of interest in and around the home community of Oldsmobile."

The R. E. Olds Chapter is best known for hosting the largest one-day Oldsmobile car meet in the World known as the "Oldsmobile Homecoming." The 12th Annual 2004 Homecoming event saw over 400 show cars, 125 vendors selling Olds parts and memorabilia and 34 cars in our "For Sale" corral.

Charter officers include: President - Jim Russell, Vice President - Max Hineman, Secretary - Dennis Casteele, Treasurer - Tom Hummer, OCA Chapter Rep. - Jim Harsant.
Charter members include: Helen Earley, Bob Zimmerman, Ron Brabant, Fred Pirochta, John Pirochta, Rick Miller, Ron Koonter, Duane Allen, Doug Badgley, Penny Kalchik (Casteele) and David Jones.

Chapter Milestones:

• March 1984 - Chapter officially chartered as the R.E. Olds Central Michigan Chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America
• July 1985 - First Chapter newsletter published
• October 1985 - Chapter newsletter named the Rocket Review in a contest won by Judy Badgley
• April 1988 - Membership reaches 100 members, first member name tags issued
• January 1989 - Chapter name changed to R.E. Olds Chapter
• January 1990 - Chapter jackets became available
• June 1993 - First annual Oldsmobile Homecoming car show organized by Chapter.