Roger Ruch took his final glide on September 29, 2005. A retired airline pilot with 32 years with American Airlines, he was also an active and a well-known sailplane pilot during the 1960’s and 70’s. He made some unique and impressive cross-country flights in his beloved and then new Schweizer 2-32 sailplane. His 2-32 was exceedingly well equipped for both night and instrument flight conditions. He made several cross-country distance record attempts in that sailplane. At least one of those distance record attempts started from high in a southern California Sierra wave during night conditions. He then navigated downwind across Arizona and/or Nevada, talking to airliners on the way.

When illness finally overtook him during 1996, he generously donated his fine 2-32 sailplane to the Texas Soaring Association, where it is still a fine addition to their club glider training fleet.

He will be remembered by the many pilots and friends who knew him.

–Dick Johnson, Dallas, TX