Flying Tiger Line
Pilots Association

Richard A. “Rick” Middel

In Memoriam

January 19, 1938 - January 24, 2025

Captain Richard A. "Rick" Middel, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Reno, NV on January 24th, 2025.  He was hired by FTL in April 1967 and was a B747 Captain based in LAX on T-Day.  He leaves behind his three daughters Melissa, Stacy and Heather who gave him eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren..

Condolences can be sent to:

The Rick Middel Family
980 Walker Ave.
Reno, NV 89509

The following is from Rick's daughter, Stacy Crom.

Being a Flying Tiger was his pride and joy.  He just turned 87 on Sunday, 19 January. Dad was in great health, he worked out every single day for an hour and half.  He was still driving. He was still mentally sharp, always with his good sense of humor.  I got the call Friday morning January 24th and it seemed passed earlier in the morning.  He was living at an independent living facility called five star and he was involved with QB’s as well as was a pylon judge at the Reno Air Races for 30 years.  It seemed it was a peaceful passing, just as he had hoped.  He had been living in Reno for the last 3 years.  His most favorite places on earth was Lake Tahoe Nevada Incline/where he brought our family up since 1978.  His other favorite place was New Zealand where he bought a little place and would go every year to escape winter and go golf for a few months a year.  I know he has incredibly fond memories of being a Tiger pilot.  Please let me know if I can give you any other information. Thank you for the condolences. ~ Stacy Crom

His good friend, Barney Szymaniak notes simply:

A very very nice man.  Worked out every morning with Rick and pilot lunches on Thursdays. Will miss him.  However he promised me to save a bar stool at St Pete’s pilots hangar

Rick also took FTLPA up on the opportunity to "tell his story" on the Tiger Tales section of the website.  You can read about Rick's past, in his own words, by click on the link below.

Rick Middel Tiger Tales

A special In Memoriam page has also been created for Captain Middle at https://www.flyingtigerline.org/richard-a-rick-middle/

Anyone else wishing to contribute to this page with archived pictures or testimonials is encouraged to contact us at email@flyingtigerline.org

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