Lew Sanborn
D-1
HONORARY PRESIDENT
“If skydiving continues to grow as it has for the last 50 years, I can’t imagine where the sport will be 50 years from now. We must preserve our history while we can”
Lew Sanborn is one of the legends in skydiving and holds the coveted D-1 license. Lew started jumping in the Army Airborne in 1949 and has made more than 6,000 jumps.
In 1959, Lew and Jacques-André Istel opened Parachutes Incorporated in Orange, Massachusetts, the first commercial parachuting company in the United States. Lew has the honor of being the “first” to do many things in the skydiving world including the “first” person to jump with a sleeve tied on to the apex, the “first” to film another jumper with a motion camera, and being a member of the group to hold the “first” World Parachuting Record claimed by the U.S.
In 2000, Lew became the first person to celebrate 50 years of freefall skydiving. When Lew retired from construction work in 1992, he and his wife, Jacky, traveled around the country living in a motorhome. They eventually settled into retirement in Missouri to be close to family.
Although not Trustees or Officers for voting purposes, an honorary chairman and/or an honorary president may be selected by the Board of Trustees in furtherance of the purpose of the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame’s objectives and in recognition of service and commitment to its goals.
