Spirit of TWA Crew
Ruth was literally born into flying in Kansas City, the home of TWA. Her father Paul Richter, a 1920’s flying ace, early aviation pioneer, and founder of TWA, made flying seem like a part of everyone’s daily life to young Ruth, who could not wait to get into any plane, any time and fly with her dad. A self-proclaimed “DC-3 baby,” it was not unusual for her to climb aboard a “big bird” in her pajamas for an overnight trip to the west coast. Her love of flying continued even after her beloved father’s early death, when she took on a career as a flight attendant for TWA – a most “proper” option for a female in the 1950s. Her life as a “stew” took her zigzagging across the country and inspired her life-long overseas travel bug. At times glamorous, the life of a stewardess certainly had it perks but did not feel so elegant during turbulence one evening on a “Connie” flight, when the latrine bounced off its perch, through the drawn curtain and landed on Ruth’s lap while strapped in her jump-seat. In the sixties, flight attendants had to give up flying when they got married, so Ruth had to settle for life on the ground for while as she raised her children. Over the years, Ruth was the first to jump in a friend’s bi-plane for a ride, or to watch the sky for planes, satellites and even UFOs, knowing the skies would one day call her back. That day came in a very nonchalant fashion without much fan fare. One afternoon leaving work as a travel agent, she found herself at a local executive airport in Overland Park, Kansas, asking an instructor to take her up. The child of a pioneer aviator in a 50-year old body found it hard to convince the instructor that she was serious, and thus began her formal instruction and completion of her private pilot license and instrument rating. Ruth has flown her faithful Piper Cherokee, Mikie, 4308M all over the country. When not flying, she has taken on the role of aviation historian, cracking open a treasure trove of boxes owned by her father, containing the archived history of the early days of commercial aviation from the Golden Age of 1920’s through the 1940s. This gift of history is one that she loves to share with others and is something that unfolds the mysteries of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of commercial aviation, as it also reveals the love affair of pilots and their passion. This very personal history project lead Ruth to “Ellie,” the Lockheed Electra 12A, once owned by TWA. She started a website in tribute to Paul Richter and TWA. (www.TWAspirit.com) Ruth strives to complete her multi-engine and tail-wheel training so that she can one day fly the Electra from take-off to landing as her father did. For now, she enjoys flying it with her good friend and part-owner, Captain Curt Walters at the stick, takes her turn to feel the excitement of the L.E. aka Ellie in the air, and has been known to play “stew” again on a few flights. She sees “Ellie” as a testament to aviation pioneers of aircraft and airlines and their pride of product and progress. She’s dedicated to sharing this gift with all who love flying and the heritage of TWA. She daily thanks her father and the other “ancient aviators of Valhalla” for making this grand experience possible. By Susan Holden-Walsh |
Captain Curt Walters, |
April 1, 2005 I retired from the airline industry. February 11, 1970 TWA changed the direction of my life forever - it was my first day of training in Kansas City at the newly finished Breech Training Academy. A native Californian, I grew up in Ventura, a small seaside town, 60 miles north of Los Angeles. Airplanes have always been part of my life. My parents had a small private plane we flew to Knotts Berry Farm and Disneyland. Growing up in Ventura during the 50's and 60's was the all-American dream. Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, surf city it really did happen. In high school our biggest concern was getting a great tan. My high school, Buena, was one of the best. I'm still good friends with many of my high school classmates who themselves are success stories. As luck would have it, my first domicile was San Francisco. Back to familiar territory. It didn't take long for me to move up to Lake Tahoe and buy my first home. Winters were devoted to my true obsession, skiing. Summers I juggled my flying career with softball, water skiing, bike riding and all round playing. Life was perfect. 1979 I had an idea, my girlfriends and I were considered "hot" free style skiers, so why not find a company who needed a promotional ski team. I approached Coppertone and they said yes. 1979 - 1981 we toured the US in a 32 foot motorhome affectionately called the Sun Tan Van. Within months we were the #1 promotional ski team. Pro races, celebrity events - you name it, we were there. And for me all with TWA's blessings. I simply requested time off, showered the office with some suntan lotion, and I was on my way. As the Coppertone tour ended, so did San Francisco as a large base. Downsizing, and not wanting to be on reserve, I transferred to New York International. Commuting from Lake Tahoe, flying all around Europe, Africa and India, life was really good. Besides all of the crazies with TWA were on International. 1985 I married Don Lounibos, and together we enjoyed all of the international travel TWA offered. March 1986 Carl Icahn owned TWA and flight attendants were forced into a strike. For me it lasted 5 years ( a little paperwork issue delayed my recall by 3 years). After I figured out the strike was going to last a very long time, I decided careers at Lake Tahoe were almost non-existent. My husband was from Petaluma, CA and we made a decision to move. Within a week after the move to Petaluma CA, I was working for a great company producing convention center public arts and crafts shows complete with stage entertainment and gourmet food, Harvest Festival was my new venture. Within 5 years I was the producer of 7 Harvest shows. About this time I won my grievance with TWA and was offered a chance to return to my flying career. I had wings again. Despite being the lowest paid flight attendants in the industry, as is the TWA spirit we all made the best of our situation, we partied on! July 30, 1992 another life altering event occurred, TWA's flight 843, a Lockheed 1011 crashed at JFK airport. I was on that flight, having just finished 3 international crossings, I was tired and grateful to take the last seat in first class. Three minutes after rotation I found myself standing in a field with our passengers and our TWA crew (293 total) watching as our L1011 was engulfed in flames. Everone survived, we had a lot angels watching over us that day. TWA went through many changes after the crash. We became employee owners and I was asked to be part of the restructuring team, Productivity Task Force. A true insight to how an airline operated. The flight attendants changed unions, from an independent union IFFA to what I would consider the worst of unions the IAM. From that point our careers as TWA flight attendants rapidly deteriorated. January 2001 American Airlines announced they were going to buy TWA. American Airlines turned out to be more like the wolf in sheep's clothing than the great white knight. July 1, 2003 every TWA flight attendant was furloughed. We had lost our careers. The careers we dearly loved. I decided to use my new freedom and enrolled with Santa Rosa Junior College to pursue a new career direction in computer sciences, graphic, web design and video production. Probably the best decision of my life. With the skills I learned, new worlds opened up. I started producing my own documentaries for our local TV station, jazz musicians, local animal shelters, water crisis aired all aired for a couple of years. I also started adding mini TWA videos my TWA websites, as well as actually getting paid to design websites for real clients. But is seemed my passion was leaning towards documentaries. Spring 2008 I received an email from a woman who's name I was somewhat familiar with, Ruth Richter Holden. Ruth said she liked my websites, videos about TWA and was looking for someone to help her produce a documentary about her father, Paul E. Richter, TWA founder, Vice President. She told me she probably had one of the most extensive private collections of early commercial aviation history and need someone to work with and she also had an airplane to go with the collection. All I can say is her email last spring has made all the difference since. Through Ruth the legacy of TWA survives. TWA was one of the most exciting airlines in early aviation history and we intend to share the real story. TWA really is about to soar again. Other TWA websites I have designed: |
Ruth Richter Holden, Owner and Guardian, 
Kaye Chandler