Richard I. “Dick” Ward, 80, died Friday, May 16, 2008 at Rose Arbor, Kalamazoo following a sudden illness.  Dick was born in Pittsburgh, PA. the son of Ivan Walter and Mildred Lena (Benninghoff)  Ward.  He completed his education by graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.  He joined the U.S. Army in 1944 with an honorable discharge in 1945 where upon he joined the Navy in 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1947. 

He married Donna Eileen Wilson Nov. 19, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pa.  They moved to Three Rivers in 1952 where he was airport manager/operator of Dr. Haines Three Rivers Municipal airport from 1952 through 1965. He developed his business, Ward Aero, Inc., a very successful manufacturing company in the production of general aviation parts. He sold Ward Aero in 1977 to Parker Hannifin Corp. Airborne Division.  He developed Forward Horizons, Inc, LLC, doing consulting work within the aviation business community. He served the City of Three Rivers on the Industrial Development Authority and previously Co-Chaired the Airport Board for the City of Three Rivers Dr. Haines Airport. He was the volunteer Ford Tri-Motor Pilot for the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum. He soloed at age of 16.He purchased and rebuilt his first aircraft at age 15.

He was very active in Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow, with 51 years of perfect attendance. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers-Centreville, wrote many articles published in aviation publications, and authored two books, “Beechcraft Twin Bonanza-Craft of the Masters” and “Flying Thoughts-An Aviator’s Flight Through Life.”

Surviving are his wife of  57 years, Donna E.,  3 sons,  Dane (Connie) Ward, Rising Fawn, GA. Mark Ward, Victorville, CA,  Greg (Theresa) Ward , Vicksburg, MI, 2 granddaughters, Victoria Ward, Holly (Hayne) Brant,2 great-grandchildren,  Trey Brant , Campbell Brant,  half brother, Paul Ward and half sister, Alice Burrell, nieces, nephews and  many, many friends.

Cremation has taken place.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the Hohner Funeral Home from 5-8 P.M...  A celebration of Dick’s life will be held Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 11 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Jon Deily, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contribution memorials may be directed to the Three Rivers Rotary Scholarship Fund or the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum (AIRZOO) Envelopes are available at the funeral home.