Rebecca McFadden
REBECCA MCFADDEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Rebecca Mary Kawaiala McFadden was born March 5, 1927 in Hilo, Hawaii. On May 7, 1955, she married Lieutenant Julian R. McFadden at the Haili Church in Hilo. With their large family of nine children, they traveled extensively in the Pacific and throughout the United States during a series of US Air Force assignments. Retirement brought them back to Corvallis in October 1981. Rebecca was the premier athlete of her Hilo High School
1945 class and participated in women’s basketball, volleyball, softball, and Hawaiian canoe paddling. After graduation she remained active in these sports as a member of many high-quality teams representing the Big Island of Hawaii. In addition, Becky loved bowling and was a low handicap bowler in the women’s league on Okinawa. She greatly enjoyed bowling in Corvallis, and particularly enjoyed her teammates on the “Happy Housewives” team. Rebecca was a fan of OSU football, basketball, baseball, and women’s gymnastics.
She was enthusiastically involved in thoroughbred horse racing and provided determined support of Pleasure Acres Thoroughbred Farm. She was raised in the Hawaiian tradition of God and family above all. She was active with her family in the Haili Hawaiian Congregational Church and her early years featured a deep commitment to the Haili Choir. She possessed a rich alto voice and was a lead Hula dancer in the choir. Everyone in the Haili Choir was related through blood or marriage. The choir traveled extensively and was acclaimed the leader in Hawaiian religious music. Rebecca remained an active member in the choir throughout her life. In addition, she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Corvallis and attended mass at her husband’s side for thirty-eight years.
Rebecca strongly supported the Air Force mission and was a major contributor to the successful career enjoyed by her husband. Traveling and living in some extremely rugged and austere conditions, she made a lasting impression on many associates with her perseverance and “can do” attitude. She was a comfort to the families of many young fighter pilots during difficult times. She was an inspiration to all who knew her.
This scholarship was established in 1995 and is funded through the generous donations of her husband, Colonel Julian R. McFadden, US Air Force, Retired. This scholarship is open to both Army and Air Force cadets at Oregon State University.