Honorees

← Back to directory

Year Honored
1996
Honoree
Thomas J Rickert
Agency
Life Flight, Wyoming Medical Center
Agency City
Casper
Agency State
WY
Last Call
4/6/93
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Tom was a highly trained pilot with more than 12,000 hours in the air, and a very important part of the emergency flight service of Wyoming Medical Center.<br /> <br /> Since 1978 he had been employed by Casper Air Service as chief pilot and director of operations.<br /> <br /> Additionally, Tom was a member of the Aircraft Owner's, Operator's and Pilot's Association. Tom was the pilot of Life Flight's fixed-wing aircraft on April 6, 1993 when he died.<br /> <br /> The plane was returning to the Wyoming Medical Center with a cardiac patient when it disappeared from radar just ten minutes before landing in Casper.<br /> <br /> Visibility was reduced by snow which also hampered search and rescue crews from three counties. After helping obtain and configure the aircraft, Tom was always willing to assist the emergency flight program to provide an invaluable service to the community served by Wyoming Medical Center.<br /> <br /> Co-workers considered him a friend.<br /> <br /> Honored 1996