Dad Passed.

[Mcstealth]

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

[LANCECASPER]

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.

[takair]

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.

[Parker_Woodruff]

sad to hear, David.

[MooneyMitch]

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?  

[aviatoreb]

I'm thinking you your dad and your family today.  Sincerely, Erik

[DonMuncy]

So terribly sorry for your loss. He was always kind and considerate to me.

[Shadrach]

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.

[mike_elliott]

My condolences David.

[Andy95W]

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!

[Mcstealth]

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

 

[Mcstealth]

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....

[Mcstealth]

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. 

[cliffy]

Damn sorry to hear of your loss   BTDT

[Andy95W]

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.

[MooneyMitch]

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.

 

[carusoam]

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-

[Mcstealth]

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

 

[elimansour]

Your dad sounds like a very interesting dude.  My condolences for your loss. 

[Sixstring2k]

My condolences on your lost and my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. 

[steingar]

Condolences for your loss.  At least your father's efforts fly on in our incredible Mooneys.

 

[Hank]

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.