Submitted by his wife

Dick died on October 14‚ 2003. He was killed when the helicopter he was flying in to scout water holes for future forest fire suppression activities crashed near Swisshome‚ Oregon. Dick’s love for flying was only surpassed by his love of family‚ friends and life itself. Dick served in the Army for 6 years with a tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Among his awards of service were the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Dick had recently received an award from the Oregon Department of Forestry for discovering and initiating an attack action on the Orchard Road Fire in Lorane‚ Oregon. He flew fires in Idaho‚ Montana‚ California‚ Washington and Oregon. Dick enjoyed his wife and two sons‚ friends‚ tennis‚ skiiing‚ rafting‚ biking and cooking. His presence brought joy to all who knew him.