United Airlines Captain Bill Richards, my Father, Flies West

Two days ago, the 14th September 2021, my loving Dad - a retired United Airlines Captain - passed away at the hospital near the Florida Assisted Care residence he had called home for the past two years. The following will be published next month in RUPA, the retired United Airlines magazine. Blue skies Dad. Safe landing. Your son, Tom xxx

W. R. ‘Bill’ Richards

Bill flew West on Monday, 13 September, 2021. Dad is preceded by his wife Mary, his sisters Pat Caridad and Bobby Arkis, and his parents, Hector and Clara. My sister and I would like to use this space to review a career of giving.

As a kid, Bill worked as a Line Boy at Teterboro, NJ, exchanging his smile for flying time. When he moved up to work as a mechanic his boss suggested that he pursue flying as a career. Bill thought the man was nuts: Dad thought he could never afford it. Yet he persisted. His first logbook entry is almost readable: a J3 Cub, local flight, 30 minutes of time. During this period, he flew everything from Champs to Taylor Craft to Ercoupes; PT-19’s to Stearmans as he learned his trade. Then there’s a gap in the logbook. From ’46 to ’52 he appears to go AWOL. Part of this time is spent in the Army Air Force where he worked as a decoder at the airbase on Amchitka, Alaska. When he returned home, having achieved the rank of Sergeant, Dad used the GI bill to get many of his ratings. We need to thank our grandfather for much of this. Hector Richards had persuaded Dad to join the military in order to access GI Bill Support. Dad never graduated from high school prior to joining the service. However, our Grandpa persuaded that school to give Dad his diploma in absentia.

The logbook resumes on February 5, 1952 with a local flight in a J3 as Dad resumed flying. A year later, me made the transition to a professional career. On November 11, 1952, he flew his first flight for Resort Airways in a C46, and was based in San Antonio TX. Three years later he was hired by United, flying copilot on DC3’s out of Chicago. That’s where his son Tom was born. The next years are a blur as Dad pursued his Captaincy, moving first to Seattle (where Cindy was born), then NY; Miami, back to ORD, then SFO. He was forced to take a medical retirement in 1979 at the age of 49, flying his last flight as Captain on a 727. It was one hell-of-a-career.

During early retirement in California, Dad achieved his Associates Degree, then joined ASRS where he met Cleve Spring. The pair kept in touch for many years. Dad was also Membership Officer of RUPA. He particularly enjoyed sending out letters, welcoming newly-appointed retirees. Bill was forever grateful to both ALPA and UAL for the recognition they gave him upon his forced retirement.

Our Mom had always been a good sport about all the moves but in 2000 she put her foot down. Their final move was to Tampa, Florida. Mom passed away 15 years ago and is buried in Bushnell National Cemetery. Soon, Dad will join her.

Bill taught so many people to fly and to love it just as he did. For years he worked with retired UAL Captain Joe Messina (RIP Joe), teaching kids the fundamentals on an Aeronca Champ. Along the way, he taught Joe’s son, Joe Messina Jr (retired UAL Captain) and Alan Ahr (retired Delta Captain). He also taught his son, Tom, to fly as well as giving his daughter, Cindy, a love of the air. He was the best teacher, and could land that Champ like a kiss in any weather, on any surface, in the toughest crosswind.

We’ll miss our Dad but we take heart in knowing he’s still around, and is happy with our Mom. Last night at 0103 Eastern Summer Time, he made his final take-off. Along the way he was diverted by ATC, flying to altitude and there reaching up to touch the face of God. He reached his destination following a flight in only Blue Skies, and kissed the ground as he always did on any runway anywhere in the United States.

Thank you, Dad. You are one of the most fortunate, forgiving and giving men we’ll ever know. And we are the luckiest of children because of your gifts. God Bless you. See you around.