NATA and NBAA Remember Industry Icon Richard J. “Dick” Van Gemert

NBAA and NATA join with the business aviation community in honoring the legacy of former NBAA board member and NATA stalwart champion Richard J. “Dick” Van Gemert. 

“In a word Dick Van Gemert was magnanimous, giving freely of his time and expertise in lifting the industry to ever-higher standards of safety and success. Many strive to make real change and a lasting impression within their communities, but few ever achieve the profound effect that Dick Van Gemert had on the business aviation industry,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “NATA and its membership have benefited tremendously from the strategy and foundation set by Dick. He was a visionary, always thinking ahead to where the industry needed to be in an ever-changing environment and aligning its immense value with its potential for growth. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family and countless industry friends and colleagues as we all pay tribute to his memory by carrying on his legacy of dedication to elevated aviation service, standards, and safety.”   

“Throughout his decades-long career, Dick advanced the state of operational excellence in business aviation, and brought that dedication to all aspects of his profession,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “His passion for the industry will long be remembered, and he will be greatly missed.”

Van Gemert’s illustrious aviation career began in 1960 when he earned his wings and joined the Naval Patrol Squadron 47. After a short stint as a development engineer for Blackmer, he returned to the skies in 1966 when he joined Xerox as a first officer flying the Lockheed Jetstar. Van Gemert later became chief pilot and then manager of travel services before being promoted to director of general services.

In 1991, he retired from Xerox and joined KC Aviation as executive vice president of transportation services. In 1996, KC Transportation Services was sold and he joined an investor to start New World Jet, where he served as president until 2006. During this time, he joined the NATA Board of Directors and became a member of the Air Charter Safety Foundation Executive Committee.

Van Gemert was appointed to the Solairus Aviation Board of Directors in 2011. In 2009, he was awarded NATA’s highest honor—the William A. Ong Award for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry. Van Gemert was also awarded the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Business Aviation Association, recognizing his many years of tireless promotion of the interests of business aviation.