Richard H. Johnson's Obituary
JOHNSON, RICHARD H. 1923- 2008 Richard Johnson, soaring pilot and aero engineer, died Wednesday July 23, 2008 in the crash of his Ventus sailplane. His life spanned 85 years of the most interesting aviation history and for 70 of those years he stood in the first row. He taught himself to fly at the age of 15, and two years later he won 3rd place in the 1940 U.S. Gliding Championships, in a glider he built from a kit. In early WW2 he served as a glider instructor, and later in the war flew seaplanes for Pan Am Airways. After the war he left to study Aeronautical Engineering at Mississippi State University, where he judged the best teaching was available. In 1953 he earned a Masters Degree in the subject from Stanford. Dick worked in aircraft development for several companies including Chance Vought, LTV, and later Texas Instruments. He was a prolific writer of professional papers and in 1981 became an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dick was passionate about soaring and won 11 U.S. National Championship contests between 1950 and 1985. He set a World Gliding Distance record in 1951 which stood for 12 years, with a sailplane he designed and built. Dick published over 100 articles in Soaring Magazine on modern sailplanes or areodynamic improvements to them. He was known for his friendliness and support he offered to even the newest and youngest soaring enthusiast. The Federation Aeronautique International awarded him the Lilienthal Medal in 1987 for outstanding achievements and contributions to gliding. The day of the crash was his 56th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife Alice, their sons Mark, Cyrus and Ira and grandchildren David, Maren and Kate. He was predeceased by son Nels and granddaughter Teresa. The memorial service is scheduled for 3:30 Tuesday July 29 at the Restland Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to Mississippi State University Foundation Raspet Lab In memory of Dick Johnson, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762.
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