A life-long Muncie resident who was a well liked and well known aviation pioneer died unexpectedly Saturday, October 15, 2005, at Blackford County Hospital. Richard "Dick" Lee Whitney, 85, was born on his family's farm, Whitney Dairy, on November 30, 1919 to parents, Lena (Lenon) Whitney and Roscoe Whitney. Two brothers, Robert and Rex Whitney, have preceded him in death. Whitney had an extensive, varied and ground breaking career as a pilot. His lifelong passion for flying began at a young age and he became renowned for barn-storming, stunt flying, crop dusting and banner towing before he became a private pilot for William Ball, Acme Lee and lastly for Maxon Corporation until his official retirement in 1985. During WW II he served his country by training young pilots for the United States Air Force at Scott Air Force Base in Missouri. He was unable to fly overseas himself due to injuries received in an earlier tragic plane wreck that killed the pilot with him. His many friends include countless peers in Hoosier aviation circles, fellow members of the Moose Lodge and the Quiet Birdmen, an association of pilots. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Whitney; four daughters, Patricia Whitney, Denver, Colorado; Jill Johnson, Indianapolis; Julie Hansen, Corvallis, Oregon and Dr. Elizabeth Whitney, DVM, Ft. Collins, Colorado; two step children, Ray Herbert, Muncie and Vikki Sparks, Center Point; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A life-long Muncie resident who was a well liked and well known aviation pioneer died unexpectedly Saturday, October 15, 2005, at Blackford County Hospital. Richard "Dick" Lee Whitney, 85, was born on his family's farm, Whitney Dairy, on November 30, 1919 to parents, Lena (Lenon) Whitney and Roscoe Whitney. Two brothers, Robert and Rex Whitney, have preceded him in death. Whitney had an extensive, varied and ground breaking career as a pilot. His lifelong passion for flying began at a young age and he became renowned for barn-storming, stunt flying, crop dusting and banner towing before he became a private pilot for William Ball, Acme Lee and lastly for Maxon Corporation until his official retirement in 1985. During WW II he served his country by training young pilots for the United States Air Force at Scott Air Force Base in Missouri. He was unable to fly overseas himself due to injuries received in an earlier tragic plane wreck that killed the pilot with him. His many friends include countless peers in Hoosier aviation circles, fellow members of the Moose Lodge and the Quiet Birdmen, an association of pilots. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Whitney; four daughters, Patricia Whitney, Denver, Colorado; Jill Johnson, Indianapolis; Julie Hansen, Corvallis, Oregon and Dr. Elizabeth Whitney, DVM, Ft. Collins, Colorado; two step children, Ray Herbert, Muncie and Vikki Sparks, Center Point; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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