Written & Submitted by RSH (09/2002); Transcribed & Edited by SS (09/2002), Reformatted by JS (09/2009)
Career
- Worked for Chance Vought Aircraft after receiving a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Duke University in 1955; retired in 1993 as director of advanced programs
- Directed the Radio Controlled portion of the 1964 AMA Nationals
- Lifetime and active member of the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM)
- Served on SAM’s rule committee and SAM’s engine committee; served as SAM’s Rocky Mountain vice president from 1996 to 2002
Honors
- 2002: SAM Hall of Fame
Dick was born in Peking (Beijing), China, in 1932. He came to the U.S. in 1946 and started building model airplanes of all types. He received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Duke University in 1955 and went to work for Chance Vought Aircraft. Dick retired as director of advanced programs in 1993 after 38 years with the same company. The company switched names in 1996 to Loral Vought Systems and then to Lockheed-Martin in 2002. Dick is an AMA member who directed the Radio Control portion of the AMA Nationals in 1964. He is also a member of the National Free Flight Society and MECA. Dick is also a lifetime member of the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) who served on SAM’s rule committee from 1982 to 1983, was the Rocky Mountain Vice President from 1996 to 2002, and has served on the engine committee since 1995.
Currently, Dick flies various Radio Control Old-Timer and antique models at local and national contests.
Dick has devoted his life to SAM and this would be proper recognition for a true SAM “brother.” He has served SAM well over the years as the Rocky Mountain vice president, president of the engine committee and resident engineer for SAM-related technical issues. That alone may not qualify him for induction into this very special group of modelers (the SAM Hall of Fame), but Dick’s deep down commitment to our SAM beliefs does most assuredly qualify him. The year 2000 Pensacola SAM Champs had a very special meaning to Radio Control assisters by the presence of Dick Huang on the flight line, transmitter in his hands and his oxygen bottle on wheels next to him. The determination and persistence to be with us, his SAM “brothers,” is the Dick Huang that I have known and respected for many years.
SAM has honored most of our childhood heroes – the great designers of the past. I know that Dick does not qualify as a great designer, but his can-do spirit surely makes him special. Many SAMers are going through serious medical problems, but manage to recover and attend local contests as well as the SAM Champs. But Dick’s presence was very special; he truly became an inspiration and role model for many other competitors. We can all emulate Dick’s zeal and total determination to be with the brotherhood that he has devoted his life.
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