Dick was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on July 17, 1942, and graduated from Bloomfield College in 1966 with a BA in Political Science and as President of his graduating class.
His military career began as a Private in the Army in 1960 where he trained in Infantry, Artillery, and Airborne. After his Army active duty tour, he joined the New Jersey Army National Guard and attended the New Jersey Military Academy where he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant Artillery.
Dick was able to transfer his Army Guard commission to the New Jersey Air National Guard and joined the 119th TFS in Atlantic City. They were flying the “Hun” at the time. He attended pilot training at Willie class 68-E and F-100 Combat Crew Training at Luke. In January of 1968 while still at Willie, his unit was called to active duty and sent to Myrtle Beach to set up an RTU. After activation and while still at Luke, he volunteered for Vietnam and was assigned to the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, of the IAANG based at Phu Cat AB, RVN. During Dick’s tour as a Phu Cat “Bat” heflew 122 combat sorties in the F-100-C. After Vietnam he returned to Atlantic City where he continued to fly the “Hun” until sometime later his unit transitioned to the F-105 “Thud”. ”
Dick’s airline career began in 1971 with Eastern Air Lines and for the next eighteen years, he flew as a Pilot and Flight Engineer on the Boeing 727 and Airbus A-300.
In 1987, he quit Eastern and started Lone Eagle Aviation, Inc. Lone Eagle served as the base of operations for a successful Airline Transport Pilot and Flight Engineer FAA Written Test Prep program. He authored several ATP and FE study guides. Lone Eagle also offered an ATP Flight Certification Program with over 6,000 graduates mostly military pilots.
For 42 years he lived outside Scottsdale, in the town of Carefree and served as both an Officer and Board Member of the Carefree Kiwanis Club. Dick was also President of Our Lady of Joy parish council; School Board Member; Republican Party Precinct committeeman and served on countless Maricopa County, Arizona advisory boards.
Dick served for many years as the Director at Large for the Super Sabre Society.
No funeral details were available at this time.