Steve Hutchison
It's time. In the universe we are the blink of an eye, the single flap of a butterfly wing. Did we miss it? Or did we live every day to the utmost? I think Dick would want us to do that.
I knew Dick for 39 years, 7 months and a few days.Too few, but I know I'll fly with him again.
Who was this guy walking into our first day of new hire class at Alaska Airlines? After being briefed by Vivian, the Chief Pilot's secretary, somebody said "now we know who really runs this company". I'm pretty sure that was Dick.
We trained together on the 727, coaching and quizzing each other. Somehow we made it through our one year probation, although some didn't. Through line flying, more study for upgrades, family adventures and vacations. flying as young captains on the 727, training together again in Long Beach to be captains of the MD83's we met the challenges.
Some challenges were not welcome and we grieved together when Jeff was lost. Dick, Barbara, and Scott had obviously been made of strong stuff, and demonstrated the courage I'm trying to show now. Survival is about loving, learning, forgiving, and although I missed sending Dick a few birthday cards on time, he forgave me.
Only Dick could have talked me into an interview for a job in Mumbai India. We caught a taxi from the airport, the driver cut through an alley only to be confronted by two water buffalo grazing on scraps from the restaurants. We flew the worst simulator check at two in the morning, but they hired us anyway. I took the job, but Dick declined, though he never failed to ask "hows it going" when I came home on days off. He cared. He truly cared about family and all the friends and people he knew.
I missed him then, I miss him now, but I know I'll fly with him again.