Captain Dick Xander was an aviation enthusiast his entire life. After learning to fly at East Penn airport near Lehighton, PA, he started his flying career as a crop-duster in New Jersey. In the early 1950s he served as an Instructor for the U.S. Air Force at Kinston, NC in T-6s and T-28s. In 1957, he was hired by Allegheny Airlines where he flew DC-3s, Martin 202s, Convair 440/580s, DC-9-30/50s and B-727-100/200s. Dick also flew as an air show pilot, performing in his Pitts S1-S, and later, Sl-T. After his retirement from USAir at age 60, he continued to be active in aviation as a pilot for Beaver Falls, PA - based Air Heritage, flying a C-123 and a OV-l.