On behalf of the active pilots at USAirways and our Bereavement Committee, I want to offer our sincere condolences on Rick's passing.  His fellow employees and our customers appreciate his many years of service.
The best to your family,
Rick Nelson

The great aviation author Ernest K Gann describes a great airline pilot by the name of Sloniger.  He describes in his unique prose how "Slonnie" never wasted any motion and had a rythmic way of handling his aircraft.  Such was the way of Rick Howell.  When he put on his smock to assemble his sailplane or help assemble a friends, all purposeless motion, all extraneous activity, ceased.  Even under the stress of contest flying at a high level he always brought a sense of calm and dignity tinged with a great sense of humor.  Of late the Texas and National Soaring community has lost too many of the great ones.  The Voltz family will miss you man.  Save me a seat at the eternal pilots meeting.  

Fred Voltz (Flower Mound, TX)

Rick was a good and dedicated friend, never too busy to help someone with any aspect of glider flying. He was a mentor to many of us and proved he could do what he taught. I shall miss his sage advise and humor. Jim Rider,Midlothian, TX

Rick was a really fine pilot and a kind person.  He is main reason I joined Texas Soaring.  He always had a kind word or a good suggestion about things.

I first met Rick many years ago at one of the Fun Fiesta weekends at Alamogordo, and in characteristic fashion, he went out of his way to make me feel welcome and part of the group. He proved to be a devoted mentor, a great example, and a true friend in all the years since. We will all miss his leadership and devotion to the sport of soaring.

Rick will be missed  professionally and personally be all who knew him.

 I am sure that he is in a place they call CLOUDBASE way up in the West Texas Sky in his beloved Ventus N88fd. 

 Rick was a man who lived with honor and dignity and enjoyed life to the fullest. 

 He was kind enough to fly as my First Officer on my  last flight in 1997  for UsAir ..Gear Down..Final landing Check list....  Thanks Rick

Pat, I am deeply sorry to here then news about Rick.  You have Kathy and my deepest sympathies.  Please call if there is anything I can do to assist you in this time of sorrow.  Rick was a great friend and fellow professional aviator.  He will be missed by all of us in the flying community.  I remember the great times at motor glider gatherings, especially Canon City, and of course at TSA.
Gus Gustafson

Rick was a gentleman and a fine teacher of flying.  I will miss his fellowship and his friendship.

To Pat, the family, and the huge long list of Rick's friends,

Rick was one of a rare breed. His unselfish gift of endless hours on behalf of others was matched only by his good humor along the way. And this continued in recent times, despite increasing adversity. It seems to me that the world revolves around folks like Rick, because they provide the framework around which society functions.

So why does fate take away a disproportionate number of folks like Rick, and far too early? That's a question for someone well above my pay grade, but it ain't fair and it ain't right. In the meantime, I hope everyone will make it a tribute to Rick to get out there and do every bit of preventive medical care that is available to you. Rick will be very disappointed if you don't.

Jennifer and I would only see Rick and Pat once a year, for 10 days at Parowan, Utah. But I can tell you that they have been a major factor that has kept us returning each year. It really won't be the same in the future.

We can only extend our deepest condolences and wish Pat and the family all the necessary strength to get through this and rise again.

Jim Herd & Jennifer Ware
Minden, Nevada

I only flew with Rick once in the September 2007 Cross Country Camp but still remember the flight vividly. Rick from the very beginning was very supportive warm and friendly. I learnt a lot and I am very grateful for the opportunity I had.
Thanks Rick for sharing your experience and passion. You will be missed.
Uwe Prigge (Houston)

Rick was a good friend and a great example of a kind and humble human being. Likely without his knowledge, Rick touched many lives, He certainly touched mine and I will be forever changed as a result of his friendship and the example he set as a teacher. 

To our friend Pat. We feel your loss and send you loving thoughts of hope and strength as you pass through this difficult time.    Kris and Mark Gurley

One of the truly good guys.  I had the pleasure of flying with Rick on a cross country flight several years ago in a Grob glider.  One of the most educational and enjoyable flights I've ever had.  We're sure going to miss his love of flight and his friends down at TSA.

Everyone should be lucky to have a friend such as you,you surely will be missed by myself and Steven, though you and Bill will be watching over us and waiting

I have many great memories of soaring in the Duo Discus with Rick in the back seat. I wish I could have given him a ride in the Talihina wave in return for Parowan.  I enjoyed being his friend and will miss him.

OBITUARIO

Richard Alfred Howell

30 enero, 1945 – 4 diciembre, 2010

Rhoton Funeral Home

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