Paul Poppenhager—Old Town, FL D-47 has been an active parachutist and pioneer in the sport for 60 years starting in 1953 with the U.S. Army Airborne and service as a parachute rigger. In 1959, Pop established Florida’s first skydiving club with five members; by 1960, the club grew to over 100 members and, at the time, was the largest skydiving club in the U.S. Pop was well known as one of the country’s best accuracy and style jumpers. In the 60’s and 70’s, he hosted the premier competitive money meet attracting many of the most skilled skydivers in the country. He is a self-taught pilot and aircraft mechanic and was the first skydiver to make 2,000 and, then 5,000 jumps.
