Held More Than A Dozen NAA/FAI Aircraft World Speed And Distance Records

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan (Born July 1, 1938) flew west on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7:08 PM PDT

A friend of the family passed on some really unfortunate news... the passing of yet another aero-legend, Dick Rutan... and one of the most fun guys to 'rat-race' a pair of Long-EZs with... period (and yes, he waxed my tail more than a few times...). 

Rest Well, Lt Colonel Rutan... and thank you for your service. 

The last time Dick Rutan flew towards the western horizon was on December 14, 1986 when he and copilot Jeana Yeager set the last great aviation record by flying around the world, nonstop and unrefueled, in nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds in an aircraft called 'Voyager,' designed by his younger brother, legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan.

A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, Dick Rutan flew 325 combat missions and was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters, the Collier Trophy and was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – twice. 

During his time in the skies over Vietnam, Dick was a member of an elite group of Fast Forward Air Controllers, often loitering over enemy anti-aircraft positions for six hours or more in a single sortie. These extremely hazardous missions had the call sign 'Misty'; Dick Rutan was, and will forever be, Misty Four-Zero. 

He spent his last day in the company of friends and family, including his brother, Burt, and passed away peacefully at Kootenai Health Hospital in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in the company of his loving wife of 25 years, Kris Rutan. He is survived by daughters Holly Hogan and Jill Hoffman, and his four grandchildren, Jack, Sean, Noelle, and Haley.

A Thought: Each loss of the legends that made aviation so great (and so darned interesting) seems to make the aviation world feel a little smaller, a bit more vulnerable, with each passing... who amongst us, now or in the future, will step up and help (re)build the aero-verse for tomorrow?

FMI: https://nationalaviation.org/enshrinee/richard-dick-rutan/