(Meredith) Dick Rutan died Friday evening at a hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with his brother Burt and other relatives by his side. He was 85 years old.
Published yesterday at 7:47 p.m.
Nick Perry
Associated Press
His friend Bill Whittle said he died on his own terms and had decided himself not to spend a second night on oxygen after suffering a serious chest infection.
A decorated Vietnam War pilot, Dick Rutan is known for successfully completing the first round-the-world flight without a stopover or refueling.
“He played an airplane like someone plays a grand piano,” Burt Rutan said of his brother, who was often described as having a velvet arm because of his smooth flying style.
Burt Rutan said he always loved designing airplanes and became fascinated by the idea of a craft that could fly around the world. His brother was also passionate about flying. The project lasted six years.
“Dick never doubted that my design would succeed and that there would be some gas left in the tank,” Burt said.
The Voyager plane left Edwards Air Force Base, California, just after 8 a.m. on December 14, 1986. The two brothers and co-pilot Jeana Yeager returned as heroes as thousands gathered to witness upon disembarkation. They each received the Presidential Citizens’ Medal from President Ronald Reagan.
