IAM TRIBUTE TO

 RICHARD ALDRICH

Richard Aldrich, Directing Business Representative for District Lodge 70 in Wichita, Kansas, died on December 22, 2000 of injuries received in an automobile accident six day previous

The loss is great for the district, as well as the IAM. "He had an enormous knowledge of the companies around here that we have to deal with on a daily basis," said Steve Rooney, Richard’’s assistant directing business representative and a longtime friend. "That knowledge was something that just he had, something you can't just pass along in your daily dealings, and it's going to be hard for us to replace."

Southern Territory General Vice President George Hooper said, ““Richard was a very hard working representative who never stopped at the end of an eight-hour day. He was an honest man with unquestionable character and high moral standards. I really loved the guy. District Lodge 70 and the Southern Territory will miss him.””

Richard was born in 1939 in Gove County, Kansas, and started his union career shortly after joining Cessna Aircraft as a factory worker. He has served in nearly every capacity from shop steward to business representative, and he also served as the President of the Wichita-Hutchinson Labor Federation and as a member of the Kansas State Council of Machinists.

““He was very devoted to the working people and did his very best to serve the working people," said Ron Eldridge, Grand Lodge Special Representative and friend of Richard’’s. "I think he was the workingman's best friend."

The automobile accident that took his life occurred Saturday night, Dec. 16^th. The car Richard was driving was struck on the passenger side at an intersection near Cessna Aircraft.

In a statement, Richard’’s family said: "We believe that Richard's death may have been prevented had he been wearing his seat belt. In memory of Richard, please, wear your seat belt when traveling."

In a guest editorial that ran in The Wichita Eagle on Labor Day 1999, Richard Aldrich explained in his own words why he had devoted his career to unions:

"Unions are standing up for human rights all around the world. We are fighting for equal pay for women and people of color in the United States, and for fair policies abroad. We continue to fight, particularly abroad, for a minimum age for child labor; freedom from forced labor; workplaces free from discrimination; and the right to join together and bargain collectively to balance the overwhelming power of global capital."

Richard is survived by his wife, Jackie, his son, two daughters, six grandchildren, one brother, two sisters and his stepfather.

Copyright 1996-2000, The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers