Richard H. Johnson

I knew Dick at TI when we worked in the same area. I was a new pilot, and he was the patient, fatherly, seasoned pilot who could explain aerodynamics in a way that worked. I gained much from him and am proud to have known him. We will all miss him, pilots or not.
He was a grand human being.

It was a pleasure to get to work with Dick. He was a great aero engineer who encouraged all those around him. He will be missed. I am inspired by Dick's continued pursuit of the sport he loved.

Mr. Johnson: I never met you, but you were always in my life, from the time I began flying gliders and studying the sport more than 35 years ago. I read your pilot reports, and thought you did a great job. You were obviously a cool guy. You made it to 85. It should have been more, but still good. Just wanted to be in your book and add to the condolences.

How do I describe how I felt about this wonderful man? He was just the kindest gentleman I have ever met. I knew Dick from Caddo Mills, I was the Office Administrator there. I was soo scared when I took that position because I did not know much about gliders, soaring..etc.. Well, when I told Dick how I felt, he smiled his sweet smile and told me the knowledge would come. Just to take one day at a time. Just seeing him there everyday brought such a smile to my face. He was a great person and I...

My 92 year old father asked me to convey his sympathies to Dick's family. He has many fond memories of flying with him.
~Denise (Hall) Hutson for Stan Hall~

Legendary Soaring Pilot, Legendary Gentleman

A poignant phrase comes to mind, “Not my will, but thine be done”.

It was God’s will that the “Great One” left this earth in his sailplane. How beautifully appropriate is that?

Because of his nature and the profound impression he left with me, I would rarely speak of Soaring without speaking of Dick Johnson.

For me this event will be indelibly etched in my mind just as JFK, the Shuttle disaster(s), and 911 were. These...

Many a times in life, you come to know of great men after they have completed their journey on earth. I was curious to know more about Dick because he represented something which very few of us really achieve during our lifetime - an uncanny attitude to explore 'beyond'.

I am sure Dick will be remembered not just by the people he touched with a smile or waving of hand, but by people like me who feel inspired by such a great human being.

The Ekey family was saddened to hear of the loss of Mr. Johnson. As kids growing up next door on Norwood Lane, we watched as he built his glider in the living room, dining room, and part of the den in his house. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were wonderful neighbors, and we were sorry to see them move away.

Our condolences to the Johnson family.

It has been many, many years ago that my family and the Johnson's were neighbors in Arlington. I, too, remember him building the glider in the living room and his appearance on "To Tell the Truth" - those were wonderul times for our families to be neighbors.

My sympathy goes to all of the family. He's soaring with the angels now.