Patrick (Paddy) Johnson
Richard Leroy Koval!
What a character you were!!
My first encounter with Richard was for a Boeing ID photo when I first hired into Boeing Flight Test Photo group in 1974.
One of the other Flight Test photogs was doing my ID photo. I sensed the presence of some one behind me. Turning I see Richard ! He smiled and put his chin on my shoulder. The other photog snapped a quick frame!!
I still have that image!!
One situation stands out in my mind.
Boeing did alot of test flights out of Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
Most of the time we were able to park our test A/Ps at the Edwards Transient Hanger.
At times that hanger was busy. This situation was one of those times. We had to operate out of Lockheed Palmdale, Ca.
Normal operations would have Lockheed Ground Tower post to Security that there would be Boeing ground support personnel positioned along side of the runway. This particular morning Lockheed Ground
did not post. All Security knew was there was two unidentified vehicles alongside their runway.
Richard and I had our mopic cameras set up along side the main runway about 100 yds from each other.
I observed several Security vehicles drive up with lights flashing, to where Richard was setup. Security exited their vehicles with firearms drawn and had My friend spread eagle on the hood of his car.
I immediately call Lockheed Ground. They in turn called off the mounties.
I had never seen Richard so shook up.
He usually was pretty mild tempered!
A good friend, always enjoyed working with him !!