Richard J. Clark was born on July 28, 1920. He passed away at the age of 94 on September 3, 2014. He learned how to fly at Latrobe Airport and soloed before he learned to drive. At a young age, he received an appointment as an aviation cadet in the US Air Force, graduating in February 1943. He received his wings and commission after serving as an instrument flight instructor. He was a combat pilot over Europe during WWII.

Richard Clark was the Co-Pilot of a B24 Liberator during WWII. He was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry during his service. According to his son Richard, he didn’t talk much about what happened during the war except for one instance. When they were returning from a bombing run in Europe, enemy guns filled the sky with flak. The flak tore through the windscreen and mortally wounded the pilot and injured him. He managed to nurse the plane back to base.

He also participated in the Korean War, serving as a DC-4 Captain on the Berlin Airlift and later a DC-4 Captain in the Far East Air Transport Service. He has quite a few medals. Among them one Purple Heart.

Richard went on to marry and raise a family in the community of Renovo. At one point in his career, he became a corporate pilot with Westinghouse. Pursuant to his love and respect for airplanes, Richard was employed by Piper Aircraft and retired as Head of Styling Design in December 1981. Clearly Richard was destined to fly, from a young age learning to fly before he could drive, serving as a combat pilot during WWII, and becoming a pilot in his professional life as well as designing aircraft. He had a genuine love and appreciation for the “Flying Machines.”