Mcstealth Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 I know he was not an Al Mooney or a Bill Wheat, but I thought of Dad as part of the Mooney mystique. Regrettably, getting Mooney stories out of him was like pulling teeth as he was not a hopeless romantic (engineer) like I am (not an engineer). Same for any Korean war stories, though the one about the South Korean regulars and their kimchee was hilarious. RIP Richard Ferris 12 Quote
LANCECASPER Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 1 minute ago, Mcstealth said: I know he was not an Al Mooney or a Bill Wheat, but I thought of Dad as part of the Mooney mystique. Regrettably, getting Mooney stories out of him was like pulling teeth as he was not a hopeless romantic (engineer) like I am (not an engineer). Same for any Korean war stories, though the one about the South Korean regulars and their kimchee was hilarious. RIP Richard Ferris I had not heard that David. So sorry for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 2 Quote
takair Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 Sorry to hear that David. Was your dad an engineer with Mooney? At a relatively small company like that I’m sure he has influenced all of our appreciation of Mooneys. 1 Quote
MooneyMitch Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 My thoughts are with you and your family. Thank you Richard for your service to our country. David, I’m curious if possibly your father helped build my incredible 1963 M20D/C? 1 Quote
aviatoreb Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 I'm thinking you your dad and your family today. Sincerely, Erik 1 Quote
DonMuncy Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 So terribly sorry for your loss. He was always kind and considerate to me. 1 Quote
Shadrach Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 RIP. I'm sorry for your loss David. I'd like to learn more about your Father's life and his tenure at Mooney. If there's an existing thread, do let us know. 1 Quote
Andy95W Posted February 16, 2022 Report Posted February 16, 2022 Please post more information, for those of us who didn’t know him! When did he serve in Korea? What did he do there? Why did he move to Kerrville? When did he work for Mooney? In what capacity? I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to know more about his life! 1 Quote
Mcstealth Posted February 17, 2022 Author Report Posted February 17, 2022 6 hours ago, takair said: Sorry to hear that David. Was your dad an engineer with Mooney? At a relatively small company like that I’m sure he has influenced all of our appreciation of Mooneys. My father had a five year run with Mooney. Late '63 to '69. He graduated Embry-Riddle on the G-I bill in '63, and Mooney hired him. He worked first as a draftsman, working up plans and schematics for all the early model Mooney's and the changes the main engineers made to the different models. They figured out pretty quick dad was good and they put him to work on the Mustang. He wasn't the main guy by any means but they allowed him to draw up a completely different fuselage plan than what we all know for the M-22 because, he argued, that it would be difficult to get the roll cage to pressurize. They ofcourse nixed his plans 6 Quote
Mcstealth Posted February 17, 2022 Author Report Posted February 17, 2022 4 hours ago, MooneyMitch said: My thoughts are with you and your family. Thank you Richard for your service to our country. David, I’m curious if possibly your father helped build my incredible 1963 M20D/C? Well I am guessing no as he was on the top floor the first year or so and not on the production floor. He may have had a hand on your paperwork though.... Quote
Mcstealth Posted February 17, 2022 Author Report Posted February 17, 2022 2 hours ago, Andy95W said: Please post more information, for those of us who didn’t know him! When did he serve in Korea? What did he do there? Why did he move to Kerrville? When did he work for Mooney? In what capacity? I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to know more about his life! He drove tanks in the Korean conflict, and one of his best stories was how he got busted back down to private, after a lieutenant broke his tank when it was frozen to the ground. Let's say my dad put this "idiot" down, and down went dad's rank. On the upside was, dad was promoted to a teacher of all new drivers on how not to break the tank in cold weather ops, as A Private hehehe. His best Mooney story was the one on when they first pressurized the M-22 mockup cabin. Getting close to max pressure, rivets started popping out like bullets and everyone went diving for cover. He told the story better than me, but you get the gist. 5 1 Quote
cliffy Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 Damn sorry to hear of your loss BTDT 1 Quote
Andy95W Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 It sounds like your dad had a life worth celebrating, a life to be proud of. I wish I were as lucky as some here who had the chance to know him. 1 Quote
MooneyMitch Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 My opinion, you father worked at Mooney during some of the very best years for creativity and production!! When I interviewed Ken Harmon at his home in Albuquerque several years ago, he also told the M22 rivet story. Ralph exclaimed something to the affect “maybe I shouldn’t have designed the fuselage quite so square after all! Engineering added more supports (formers) internally in order to keep the fuselage from flexing so much, I was told by Ken. I’ll bet you’re dad drew those additions. 1 Quote
carusoam Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 Prayers for THE dad… I hear that the flight West doesn’t take as long for the Mooney guys… They get issued special Laminar flow Angel Wings… May he Rest In Peace… PP thoughts and prayers only, -a- 2 Quote
Mcstealth Posted February 17, 2022 Author Report Posted February 17, 2022 2 hours ago, MooneyMitch said: My opinion, you father worked at Mooney during some of the very best years for creativity and production!! When I interviewed Ken Harmon at his home in Albuquerque several years ago, he also told the M22 rivet story. Ralph exclaimed something to the affect “maybe I shouldn’t have designed the fuselage quite so square after all! Engineering added more supports (formers) internally in order to keep the fuselage from flexing so much, I was told by Ken. I’ll bet you’re dad drew those additions. Hmmm. I did not know about the formers. What dad said is that they added more "dope" in the angled areas. Yes, he called it dope. Does not surprise there were more supports though. Makes sense. Thanks. David Quote
elimansour Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 Your dad sounds like a very interesting dude. My condolences for your loss. 1 Quote
Sixstring2k Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 My condolences on your lost and my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. 1 Quote
steingar Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 Condolences for your loss. At least your father's efforts fly on in our incredible Mooneys. 1 Quote
Hank Posted February 17, 2022 Report Posted February 17, 2022 Lost my dad two years and two weeks ago. Everyone grieves differently. Sharing your dad's stories with friends and people who care can help. My dad missed Korea by a couple years, but made Vietnam twice when I was growing up. Not many stories shared about those years. Stay strong, David. 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.