Dick started his career with American Airlines as a first officer on the DC-3. After being promoted to Captain, he volunteered for service in the Air Transport Command and flew military transport missions in the DC-3 and C-47 during World War Two. When this tour of duty was completed, he returned to American Airlines. After the DC-3s were replaced, he flew the Convair 240, DC-6, DC-7, Boeing 707 and retired as a captain on the Boeing 747 in 1974. During the Vietnam war Dick volunteered for Military Airlift Command charters and was on the crew of the first American Airlines flight to land in Da Nang, Vietnam. During his 33 year career at AA, Dick was based at El Paso, Fort Worth, Memphis, Nashville and San Francisco. After retirement, he continued to fly his personal airplane until age 83.

Dick’s son, Steve, is also a retired AA 777 Captain and a “plank-owner” of the Flagship Detroit Foundation

Flagship Detroit Foundation