HARRISON (SAM) DIETRICH OCTOBER 5, 1915 - JUNE 14, 1997 Although a small notice announcing Sam Dietrich's death has already been printed in the TARPA TOPICS, it is important that greater recognition be given to a man who had a significant impact on the events during one of the most tumultuous periods in TWA's tumultuous history. We can all remember the chaotic events of the crew complement issue that divided the Pilots and the Flight Engineers in the early '60s and eventually lead to a prolonged strike by almost all of the United States airlines Flight Engineers. During that period, Sam was the Master Chairman of the TWA Flight Engineer's Association and was a guiding force during the strike and the negotiations that resolved it. During these negotiations he worked closely with President John Kennedy, Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg, TWA President Charles Tillinghast, FEIA Attorney Asher Schwartz, and Professor Nathan Feinsinger to achieve an acceptable solution to a difficult and emotional conflict. Sam was particularly effective because he knew when to stand strong, and more importantly, when to bend. As a result of the prolonged strike and negotiations, a settlement was reached that was approved by all the parties. All through the negotiations, Sam had one goal: job preservation for the Flight Engineers. Although the FEIA eventually lost their representational rights for the third seat in the cockpit, Sam's goal was achieved: not a single Flight Engineer lost his job as a result of the crew complement issue. We owe him many thanks and he will not be forgotten. Sam was born on a farm near Richmond, Kansas where he rode horseback to school. He attended the University of Kansas for a year and then worked for the Forestry Service in Utah. He joined the Army Air Corps and was discharged before Pearl Harbor Day. He worked briefly for American Airlines and then became a TWA Flight Engineer in April of 1946. He retired in 1975 under the mandatory age 60 rule. He is survived by Doris, his wife of 26 years and four children, Bryce Dietrich, David Barr, Dr. Dianne Barr and Denise Barr. He also leaves three grandchildren, Staley, B.J., and Alicia. by Hal Miller
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