Richard King - Page 2

airknocker · 26 June 2007, 04:40 AM

Richard A. King
MILAN - Richard A. King, 74, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2007 at Northern Dutchess Hospital. Mr. King attended school in Herkimer, NY, but graduated from West Canada Valley Central School in June of 1950, where he was a member of the Varsity Basketball and Baseball teams. He was an accomplished artist and upon graduation from State University New Paltz, he taught for three years at Copenhagen Central School District. His lifelong dream to fly led him to the Rhinebeck area in the spring of 1959 to join the staff as an Art Teacher at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, and to join in with workers of the newly forming Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum. He taught at Roosevelt High School for thirty-two years, retiring in 1991. He began flying at the aerodrome in 1959 and continued to do so until the fall of 1998. He held a Commercial Pilot's license and amassed more than ten thousand flying hours on aircraft designed or built between 1909 and 1939, while flying in the air shows at Old Rhinebeck. He wrote a comprehensive book, "The Skies Over Rhinebeck, a Pilot's Story," about his flying experiences at Old Rhinebeck that was published in 1998. Born August 13, 1932, in Herkimer, NY, he was the son of William and Evelyn ( Davis ) King. Mr. King is survived by his wife Virginia, four children, Matthew and his wife Vicki of Tivoli, NY; Lt. Colonel Robin King, U.S. Army, and her husband Dave Smith , now stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany; Lori and Lance Call of Queen Creek, AZ; and Geoffrey and Karin King of Bethany, CT. Also surviving are two stepchildren, Debbie and her husband Jamie Ranicar of North Granby, CT and David Groves of Milford, CT; fourteen grandchildren, Jared, Julie, Skyler, Ryan, Mallory, Camille, Aaron, Chris, Jessica, Tyler, Justin, Ben, Lucas and Josie; three great grandchildren, Cecilia, Madsen and Olive; a brother William of Valley Cottage, NY; two sisters, Laurie Swiger of Herkimer, NY, and Mary Hart of Nashville, TN; and several nieces and nephews. He was pre deceased by a brother Ted and a sister Ester. Calling hours are Wednesday, 5 to 8 PM at the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, 51 W. Market St., Rhinebeck. Funeral Services are Thursday, 10 AM, at the Red Hook United Methodist Church, West Market St., Red Hook. Interment will be in the Elizaville Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 North Halsted Street, Suite 201, Chicago, Illinois 60622, pulomonaryfibrosis.org. To sign the online register please visit www.dapsonchestney.com.

SL DIII · 26 June 2007, 06:42 AM

American Modeler Magazine May, 1967

World War I Aero, Issue #100, July 1984

Gateway Magazine October 1971

SL DIII · 26 June 2007, 06:45 AM

Dick King 1970 with his Sopwith Pup

Cole Palen Memorial Free Flight Meet, Dec., 2005. Lee Henderson - left, Ken Cassens - right (Photo by Bob Johnston)

Dick’s Fairchild 24 – winner of the proxy category at the ’06 and ’07 CP FF meets, flown by Matt King (photo by Stew Sommerville)

tazbat · 26 June 2007, 09:35 PM

There is now one less King in the air. A sad thing indeed.
I will cherish the several visits I had with Dick King in the last three years. Despite his ailment, he was still a pilot at heart, he still heard the wind in the wires. His heart was also with ORA, despite the unforgivable treatment he received from the bodies of trustees.

As a member of Cole's crew and cast, he was larger than life. And so, it is possible to forget he was a husband, father, and school teacher. There is no doubt about the impact his passing is having on his family. My heart goes out to you all.

I love the way Gordon Bainbridge told the story about Dick and how he read a small article about Cole and his planes and decided to move his family from central New York to Rhinebeck. He wanted to be close to what was going on. The rest is a part of history, much of which he recorded himself, in his own book. Cole's love of planes enveloped the lives of many like himself, including but not limited to, Dick King, Gordon Bainbridge, and Dave Fox. Not many are left who flew the skies over Rhinebeck with these large hearted gentlemen of the air.

I look forward to the day when all those who worked shoulder to shoulder with Cole, will be memorialized at ORA; to be remembered by all who cross the bridge to that special place lost in time.

Salute!
Sandy

GASML · 27 June 2007, 01:46 AM

A great aviator and a true gentleman. You simply can't say better than that.

Blue skies and happy landings Dick.

Jim Bruton · 28 June 2007, 05:07 AM

Some great hero shots!

Thanks Tom.

Jim

Curtiss Jenny · 29 June 2007, 11:27 AM

Yesterday evening there was a specatular sunset over the Hudson River Valley that was photographed by one of the former air show pilots. I mailed it to friends saying that you know that Dick King is in Heaven when you see this photo. One wrote back, asking me to share with others this beautiful sentiment:

"Friends,

I would say that Wednesday evening at Foster's, was Dick's gift to us all. Where else could you be among such a "band of brothers";
comforted by the warmth of the embraces of old friends and memories of a life shared. Through the sad occasion of commemorating his life,
Dick gave us a glimpse of heaven - an eternity amongst those we love and care for and a poignant reminder that life is fleeting and always precious.

Too often we miss the opportunities to let those we care about know how much they mean to us ...
So in that spirit, here's to you all, whose friendship I cherish and for which I will always be grateful."

timjnf · 29 June 2007, 01:41 PM

I didn't know him personally. I've read his book, corresponded with him a little via e-mail and he once put his jacket and flying helmet on me as my family took my picture with a Rhinebeck triplane.

He seemed like a man of great character. My condolences to his family and all who knew and loved him.

Tim

wingnut · 29 June 2007, 08:14 PM

Dick King, an honorable man gone west. When the Aerodrome appeared in Boys Life in the early 60s, I was a young punk. But I found 3 new heros. Cole Palen, Dave Fox, and Dick King. I was honored to have laughed with them many times as an adult. My condolences goes out to the King family. I might add, that the whole King clan, is a very fine group of people.

PfalzPflyer · 30 June 2007, 08:47 AM

What very sad news to hear of Mr. King's passing. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

His book, "The Skies over Rhinebeck", is the best written chronicle around of how Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome used to be, and how it should be again.

Let us honor Dick by keeping the flame alive, and continuing the "good fight" until ORA returns to being a place that truly honors the dream of Cole, Dick, Dave, and the others who made it happen.

best regards,
Dean in Omaha