Richard Allen Willhardt

Richard A. Willhardt, an airline executive whose career spanned 40 years at Trans World Airlines (TWA), died of congestive heart disease September 22 in Ventura, California, where he has lived since his retirement in 1986.

Mr. Willhardt was born in Kansas City on November 15, 1928. He was raised by his mother, a chef for a clothing company, and his aunt, a teacher. Mr. Willhardt attended Westport High School in Kansas City, MO.

Upon graduation, Mr. Willhardt served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean War. He then started a career at TWA in Kansas City, rising from the position of baggage handler to the executive position of Manager of Operations at LAX , where he led a cadre of operations personnel including ticket agents and ground hostesses. Subsequently, Willhardt was promoted to Station Manager in Hong Kong, Station Manager in Vienna, Austria, and Station Manager in Frankfurt, Germany. During his tenure, TWA was a world class airline until it was reorganized by Carl Icahn and ultimately sold to American Airlines.

Upon retirement, Mr. Willhardt became a real estate broker in Ventura, working for Century 21. Willhardt was greatly loved by all his family. He was a fantastic story teller, had a great sense of humor and a fantastic memory for past events. He did a lot of volunteer work and never hesitated to help friends and family.

In addition to Mary, his wife of 41 years, and his son David of Castle Rock, Colorado, Mr. Willhardt is survived by Rick and Christie, children from a former marriage.

Services will be held Monday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura, CA 93003, 805-642-8134. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX

Arrangements under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.