Foil: 27 Panel: 4 Column: 2 Line: 2

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Mr. Richard M. Schwend

Biography for Francis R. Schwend, Major USAF. Born February 15, 1921. Died May 24, 2004.

Dick was a brilliant and gifted man who made significant contributions to US aviation. Born in Portland, Oregon, of German and Luxemburg descent, the Schwend family moved to Los Angeles when he was three years old. Early in life he was noted to be gifted in the creation of advanced technology. As a youngster, he designed and made a deep sea diving suit, which he secretly tested in his parent's basement that he flooded with water. He later successfully used this off the California coast. He attended Manual Arts High School where he learned many of his skills that he used throughout his career. He created his first airplane model from sheet metal, a Messerschmitt 109, which he took to Vultee Aircraft Company, and upon showing them his ability through this model, they hired him on the spot.

During World War II he joined the USAF as a pilot cadet. After completion of pilot training, he was assigned to the 55th Reconnaissance Squadron of the 20th Air Force. His squadron, "The Original Typhoon Hunters," performed long range weather reconnaissance during the period 1944-1946 over Guam, Iwo-Jima, Okinawa, and Japan. He piloted his B-24s airplane, the "Beaufort Belle" until the conclusion of WWII, and then remained in the USAF as a reserve pilot until 1957, retiring with the rank of Major. Throughout his later years, he remained active with his squadron in reunions and crew activities.

Dick excelled as an aerospace engineer. Beginning in 1952, he was chief engineer prototype maker and production analyst for the Paul Omohundro Company. This turned into a partnership, Omohundro-Schwend, Inc. He worked for Northrop Corporation and later returned to the Omohundro Company where he spent the remainder of his career, retiring in 2003. Dick advanced the state of the art in the composites world and was instrumental in the development and construction of structural composites and electro-magnetic windows (radomes).

Dick was an inspiration and mentor to his colleagues and was the person to go to when "it couldn't be done." It was a privilege of many to have known and worked with him.