Rick was the only child born to Arline and Russell Feldmann in St. Louis, Missouri on 14 August 1945, a date which he proudly associated with V-J Day, (Victory over Japan Day). He would later develop a special interest in the B-29 story, based on his Uncle Bill's time in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
As a child, he was fascinated by the locks on the Mississippi and the tales of Mark Twain. Later he became a member of the Army reserves during the Vietnam era. He took up sailing as a hobby moving to the Gulf Coast and crewing on various yachts for several years culminating in a sail from the Caribbean up the Atlantic coast to Montreal.
Eventually he moved to Salt Lake City to be close to his WWII hero, Uncle Bill Feldmann, a 9th Bomb Group veteran who had been based on Tinian servicing B-29's at North Field in 1945 (including fueling the 'Enola Gay'). This is when Rick learned about the 9th Bomb Group eventually attending reunions where he learned the history and stories from the veterans.
Later Rick moved to Phoenix continuing to sail and worked at a boat shop until a serious fall confined him to his home. This is when his passion for B-29 research took off and eventually he became known as 'Mr. B-29'. He became Historian of the 9th Bomb Group accepting the position in honor of his Uncle Bill's service. He was instrumental in learning and sharing details of B-29's which had crashed during 1945. He remembered each 9th group veteran when they passed with reverence and devotion.
When legendary 'Fifi' arrived at Deer Valley Airport for an airshow in November 2010, he was all aboard for an exciting ride. He also spent many hours contributing to the history of the 505th Bomb Group, based on Tinian at North Field. Working with a Japanese researcher from Yokohama, Mr. Isao Arai, he was able to connect children of families from both sides bringing about understanding and reconciliation. Recently he was proud to initiate the 9th Bomb Group website, a valuable resource for WWII history.
He was a man with many interests and was very knowledgeable about music, especially Rock 'n Roll and Jimmy Buffet songs, often breaking into song during a phone conversation! But he also enjoyed watching the replays of Lawrence Welk and listening to old 40's radio programs such as Fibber McGee and Molly. His creativity knew no bounds, an author writing air and sea adventure stories, as a craftsman working with leather and fashioning nautical knot designs, as a chef experimenting with solar cooking during hot Phoenix summers, and as a artist carving stone petroglyphs from scenes he remembered from visits to Utah national parks.
Rick had a wonderful and wicked sense of humor. Fiercely loyal but also proud, beware the person who dared to cross him. Recently Don Farrell, Mariana Islands WWII historian and author, acknowledged Rick's contribution in his newest publication, 'Tinian and the Bomb'. His legacy will long endure and inspire others to continue his work.
Rick was predeceased by his father and mother, Russell and Arline Feldmann, his Aunt Irene and Uncle Harold Feldman, his Uncle William Feldmann, his Uncle Douglas Stamper and cousin Raymond Picker.
He is survived by his former spouse, Julie Jones Feldmann Willson of Cameron Park, CA, and his two stepdaughters, Rachel and Nicole, Uncle Richard Brooks, Aunt Mary Jean Feldmann of Tooele, UT, Aunt Dolly Feldmann Stamper of St. Louis, MO, and cousins Margaret Feldmann Tilly of Kansas City, MO, and Ellen Feldmann Buechler of Columbia, MO, Cynthia Stamper James of St. Charles, MO, and Greg Stamper of Pensicola, FL, Michael W. Feldmann of Salt Lake City, and Keith A. Feldmann of Tooele, UT.
According to his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the Bahamas by his best friend, Richard Butler.
As a child, he was fascinated by the locks on the Mississippi and the tales of Mark Twain. Later he became a member of the Army reserves during the Vietnam era. He took up sailing as a hobby moving to the Gulf Coast and crewing on various yachts for several years culminating in a sail from the Caribbean up the Atlantic coast to Montreal.
Eventually he moved to Salt Lake City to be close to his WWII hero, Uncle Bill Feldmann, a 9th Bomb Group veteran who had been based on Tinian servicing B-29's at North Field in 1945 (including fueling the 'Enola Gay'). This is when Rick learned about the 9th Bomb Group eventually attending reunions where he learned the history and stories from the veterans.
Later Rick moved to Phoenix continuing to sail and worked at a boat shop until a serious fall confined him to his home. This is when his passion for B-29 research took off and eventually he became known as 'Mr. B-29'. He became Historian of the 9th Bomb Group accepting the position in honor of his Uncle Bill's service. He was instrumental in learning and sharing details of B-29's which had crashed during 1945. He remembered each 9th group veteran when they passed with reverence and devotion.
When legendary 'Fifi' arrived at Deer Valley Airport for an airshow in November 2010, he was all aboard for an exciting ride. He also spent many hours contributing to the history of the 505th Bomb Group, based on Tinian at North Field. Working with a Japanese researcher from Yokohama, Mr. Isao Arai, he was able to connect children of families from both sides bringing about understanding and reconciliation. Recently he was proud to initiate the 9th Bomb Group website, a valuable resource for WWII history.
He was a man with many interests and was very knowledgeable about music, especially Rock 'n Roll and Jimmy Buffet songs, often breaking into song during a phone conversation! But he also enjoyed watching the replays of Lawrence Welk and listening to old 40's radio programs such as Fibber McGee and Molly. His creativity knew no bounds, an author writing air and sea adventure stories, as a craftsman working with leather and fashioning nautical knot designs, as a chef experimenting with solar cooking during hot Phoenix summers, and as a artist carving stone petroglyphs from scenes he remembered from visits to Utah national parks.
Rick had a wonderful and wicked sense of humor. Fiercely loyal but also proud, beware the person who dared to cross him. Recently Don Farrell, Mariana Islands WWII historian and author, acknowledged Rick's contribution in his newest publication, 'Tinian and the Bomb'. His legacy will long endure and inspire others to continue his work.
Rick was predeceased by his father and mother, Russell and Arline Feldmann, his Aunt Irene and Uncle Harold Feldman, his Uncle William Feldmann, his Uncle Douglas Stamper and cousin Raymond Picker.
He is survived by his former spouse, Julie Jones Feldmann Willson of Cameron Park, CA, and his two stepdaughters, Rachel and Nicole, Uncle Richard Brooks, Aunt Mary Jean Feldmann of Tooele, UT, Aunt Dolly Feldmann Stamper of St. Louis, MO, and cousins Margaret Feldmann Tilly of Kansas City, MO, and Ellen Feldmann Buechler of Columbia, MO, Cynthia Stamper James of St. Charles, MO, and Greg Stamper of Pensicola, FL, Michael W. Feldmann of Salt Lake City, and Keith A. Feldmann of Tooele, UT.
According to his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the Bahamas by his best friend, Richard Butler.
Rick was the only child born to Arline and Russell Feldmann in St. Louis, Missouri on 14 August 1945, a date which he proudly associated with V-J Day, (Victory over Japan Day). He would later develop a special interest in the B-29 story, based on his Uncle Bill's time in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
As a child, he was fascinated by the locks on the Mississippi and the tales of Mark Twain. Later he became a member of the Army reserves during the Vietnam era. He took up sailing as a hobby moving to the Gulf Coast and crewing on various yachts for several years culminating in a sail from the Caribbean up the Atlantic coast to Montreal.
Eventually he moved to Salt Lake City to be close to his WWII hero, Uncle Bill Feldmann, a 9th Bomb Group veteran who had been based on Tinian servicing B-29's at North Field in 1945 (including fueling the 'Enola Gay'). This is when Rick learned about the 9th Bomb Group eventually attending reunions where he learned the history and stories from the veterans.
Later Rick moved to Phoenix continuing to sail and worked at a boat shop until a serious fall confined him to his home. This is when his passion for B-29 research took off and eventually he became known as 'Mr. B-29'. He became Historian of the 9th Bomb Group accepting the position in honor of his Uncle Bill's service. He was instrumental in learning and sharing details of B-29's which had crashed during 1945. He remembered each 9th group veteran when they passed with reverence and devotion.
When legendary 'Fifi' arrived at Deer Valley Airport for an airshow in November 2010, he was all aboard for an exciting ride. He also spent many hours contributing to the history of the 505th Bomb Group, based on Tinian at North Field. Working with a Japanese researcher from Yokohama, Mr. Isao Arai, he was able to connect children of families from both sides bringing about understanding and reconciliation. Recently he was proud to initiate the 9th Bomb Group website, a valuable resource for WWII history.
He was a man with many interests and was very knowledgeable about music, especially Rock 'n Roll and Jimmy Buffet songs, often breaking into song during a phone conversation! But he also enjoyed watching the replays of Lawrence Welk and listening to old 40's radio programs such as Fibber McGee and Molly. His creativity knew no bounds, an author writing air and sea adventure stories, as a craftsman working with leather and fashioning nautical knot designs, as a chef experimenting with solar cooking during hot Phoenix summers, and as a artist carving stone petroglyphs from scenes he remembered from visits to Utah national parks.
Rick had a wonderful and wicked sense of humor. Fiercely loyal but also proud, beware the person who dared to cross him. Recently Don Farrell, Mariana Islands WWII historian and author, acknowledged Rick's contribution in his newest publication, 'Tinian and the Bomb'. His legacy will long endure and inspire others to continue his work.
Rick was predeceased by his father and mother, Russell and Arline Feldmann, his Aunt Irene and Uncle Harold Feldman, his Uncle William Feldmann, his Uncle Douglas Stamper and cousin Raymond Picker.
He is survived by his former spouse, Julie Jones Feldmann Willson of Cameron Park, CA, and his two stepdaughters, Rachel and Nicole, Uncle Richard Brooks, Aunt Mary Jean Feldmann of Tooele, UT, Aunt Dolly Feldmann Stamper of St. Louis, MO, and cousins Margaret Feldmann Tilly of Kansas City, MO, and Ellen Feldmann Buechler of Columbia, MO, Cynthia Stamper James of St. Charles, MO, and Greg Stamper of Pensicola, FL, Michael W. Feldmann of Salt Lake City, and Keith A. Feldmann of Tooele, UT.
According to his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the Bahamas by his best friend, Richard Butler.
As a child, he was fascinated by the locks on the Mississippi and the tales of Mark Twain. Later he became a member of the Army reserves during the Vietnam era. He took up sailing as a hobby moving to the Gulf Coast and crewing on various yachts for several years culminating in a sail from the Caribbean up the Atlantic coast to Montreal.
Eventually he moved to Salt Lake City to be close to his WWII hero, Uncle Bill Feldmann, a 9th Bomb Group veteran who had been based on Tinian servicing B-29's at North Field in 1945 (including fueling the 'Enola Gay'). This is when Rick learned about the 9th Bomb Group eventually attending reunions where he learned the history and stories from the veterans.
Later Rick moved to Phoenix continuing to sail and worked at a boat shop until a serious fall confined him to his home. This is when his passion for B-29 research took off and eventually he became known as 'Mr. B-29'. He became Historian of the 9th Bomb Group accepting the position in honor of his Uncle Bill's service. He was instrumental in learning and sharing details of B-29's which had crashed during 1945. He remembered each 9th group veteran when they passed with reverence and devotion.
When legendary 'Fifi' arrived at Deer Valley Airport for an airshow in November 2010, he was all aboard for an exciting ride. He also spent many hours contributing to the history of the 505th Bomb Group, based on Tinian at North Field. Working with a Japanese researcher from Yokohama, Mr. Isao Arai, he was able to connect children of families from both sides bringing about understanding and reconciliation. Recently he was proud to initiate the 9th Bomb Group website, a valuable resource for WWII history.
He was a man with many interests and was very knowledgeable about music, especially Rock 'n Roll and Jimmy Buffet songs, often breaking into song during a phone conversation! But he also enjoyed watching the replays of Lawrence Welk and listening to old 40's radio programs such as Fibber McGee and Molly. His creativity knew no bounds, an author writing air and sea adventure stories, as a craftsman working with leather and fashioning nautical knot designs, as a chef experimenting with solar cooking during hot Phoenix summers, and as a artist carving stone petroglyphs from scenes he remembered from visits to Utah national parks.
Rick had a wonderful and wicked sense of humor. Fiercely loyal but also proud, beware the person who dared to cross him. Recently Don Farrell, Mariana Islands WWII historian and author, acknowledged Rick's contribution in his newest publication, 'Tinian and the Bomb'. His legacy will long endure and inspire others to continue his work.
Rick was predeceased by his father and mother, Russell and Arline Feldmann, his Aunt Irene and Uncle Harold Feldman, his Uncle William Feldmann, his Uncle Douglas Stamper and cousin Raymond Picker.
He is survived by his former spouse, Julie Jones Feldmann Willson of Cameron Park, CA, and his two stepdaughters, Rachel and Nicole, Uncle Richard Brooks, Aunt Mary Jean Feldmann of Tooele, UT, Aunt Dolly Feldmann Stamper of St. Louis, MO, and cousins Margaret Feldmann Tilly of Kansas City, MO, and Ellen Feldmann Buechler of Columbia, MO, Cynthia Stamper James of St. Charles, MO, and Greg Stamper of Pensicola, FL, Michael W. Feldmann of Salt Lake City, and Keith A. Feldmann of Tooele, UT.
According to his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the Bahamas by his best friend, Richard Butler.
