Richard Ward
American; Male; 1927 - 2008
Richard I. Ward was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 14, 1927. With an early love of flying, Dick earned his pilot’s license at the age of 17, and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.
During World War II, despite being accepted for Army pilot training and having been sworn in, Dick was tendered a discharge as the quota for pilots had been filled. He promptly re-enlisted in the Navy as a Combat Air Crew Flight Engineer and served as a PBM-5 Engineer in Panama. He was honorably discharged in 1947.
In 1949, Dick married Donna Wilson, his wife of 58 years, and moved to Three Rivers, Michigan. He became the manager and Fixed Base Operator at the Three Rivers Municipal Airport and started his company, Ward Aero, which developed, manufactured, overhauled, and marketed products for aviation use. Dick was well known in the industry for his honesty and integrity. In 1977, Ward Aero was sold to Parker-Hannifin Corporation. Dick then formed Forward Horizons, an aviation consulting firm.
One of Dick’s favorite activities was time spent with the Twin Bonanza Society. He authored the book, “Beechcraft Twin Bonanza, Craft of the Masters” and was considered an expert on that airplane. A strong advocate for the city of Three Rivers, Dick served on community boards and committees and was an active Rotarian, being named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a great supporter of the Air Zoo, volunteering to pilot the historic Ford Tri-Motor, among others.
Dick was presented with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot and Master Mechanic Awards, and was a founder of the Kalamazoo Hangar of the Quiet Birdmen. Dick recounted his many life achievements, and aviation experiences, in his book “Flying Thoughts: An Aviator’s Flight Through Life”. Dick Ward passed away May 16, 2008.
For his contributions to the aviation industry and service to his country and community, Dick Ward embodies the virtues of the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. Biographical information from https://www.airzoo.org/enshrinees.
