What a great friend to a bunch of RC Pilots. Mr. Dick Ward was our friend and a great supporter. He showed his support and enthusiasm for the hobby in a really special way. He offered the Flying Griffins a portion of his land to call home. Often times he would drive over to the other side of field, from his house, to visit with us and hang out to watch us fly. Always with a big smile and great stories he would spend a lot of time hanging out and sharing. He was a great man and good friend to the Flying Griffins. He will be missed.

From his obituary: Mr. Richard Dwight Ward, Dick, age 88 of Williamson, passed away March 12, 2024, at Brightmoor Hospice. He was born in Patton, Missouri and was the son of the late George Alexander Ward and Freda Miinch Ward.
Dick married the love of his life, Iris Jeanine Knight, and the two soon move from Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Georgia when Dick became a pilot for Delta Airlines. He loved to fly with his whole being and saw his job as his playground in the sky instead of work. Between trips, he farmed his land and was an active member of Williamson Methodist Church and served on the Pike County Board of Education for approximately 13 years. He was a staunch conservative and an extraordinary man and role model for his family. He also served in the Air Force for four years during peace times and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Dick Ward checked off all the boxes of his bucket list and left this world "with his boots on." No regrets. A novice photographer he photographed 1000 beautiful sunsets and sunrises and took pictures around the world to include the Irish Cliffs of Moher, the Vatican, the Kremlin, Barcelona, Germany, Paris, England, Korea, Hawaii, and many more-taking Jeanine on many international trips before his retirement. He was a Captain with Delta Airlines for 33 years. Beside the airstrip on the family property, there is now a remote control aircraft field named for him-Ward Field-launching a few new lovers of flight.
We were blessed to have Dick Ward in our lives, even though he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's some 13 years ago. He began medication which slowed the progression of his disease, allowing us many more good years with him. We encourage everyone who is concerned with memory issues to get checked out and utilize medication-both holistic and prescription-and continue to pray for an end to this horrific robbing disease. Perhaps one day early prevention will be the cure.