After UPT, I did a T-38 FAIP tour at Vance followed by three years as a B-52G AC/IP/FE at Fairchild AFB. Next stop was Edwards AFB for Test Pilot school, which led to the next 27 years either testing or buying airplanes and other stuff for the USAF and our sister services—with various schools, Pentagon tours, etc. interspersed. On one really bad day in 1984, I punched out of a B-1A prototype during a test mission at Edwards, and got to learn to walk again. All totaled, Joani and I hung around the Air Force for 34 years, retiring in 2005 as Vice Commander of Materiel Command at Wright-Patt (with Andy & Ellen Johansen and Cliff & Holly Call on hand to witness the proceedings). We were extraordinarily lucky to get to lead some big organizations (the AF Flight Test Center at Edwards and Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patt), which was all just terrific fun. Flew a lot of different airplanes (~70), but more importantly, made a lot of truly wonderful friends. We now live in Beavercreek, OH, with our two daughters close by (Britt, 28 and Tori, 24—see below). Life is pretty darned good—I spend my time roughly in thirds—one-third for revenue (a consulting business and seats on a half-dozen corporate boards), one-third community service, and one-third goofing off and traveling. I also do a lot of miscellaneous projects (like this reunion...). Joani keeps all of us healthy and happy. We're looking forward to seeing everyone in C-Springs in late August!
Emerged from 8 days/280 miles thru the Grand Canyon, July '12
Firing up middle schoolers on the STEM of aeronautics and aviation in the AF Museum
Just Married
One fine retirement dinner ambush, with 650 friends, June '05
May 2012 - Just outside the Pauline Chapel at the Broadmoor--where 41 years ago, 31 July, Joani and Dick were married