Remembering Richard

     Richard Peter Norris of Marblehead died peacefully on December 8, 2017, at a Boston hospital with family and friends at his side.
     He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Linda Oskinis Norris; his son Christopher and fiancee Alison; siblings Margaret Levine, Paul, Bill, Bob, and Sally Norris, as well as several nephews.
     As an undergraduate (Boston College, 1972), Richard worked nights at Flying Tiger Line in Boston, beginning what would become a long and distinguished career in the air cargo industry.
     He achieved senior level positions at Northwest Airlines, Martinair Holland, and British Aerospace.
     But we remember Richard most of all as an airport guy. He was the Head of Air Cargo Development at Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in Washington, D.C., a position he held for over sixteen years.
     During that time, Richard served as a Board member of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), the Washington Air Cargo Association, the Alaska Air Carriers Association, and was an active member of the Airport Council International (ACI).
     Daniel Fernandez, President-LnD International, LLC said, "I will always remember Richard's ready smile and disarming good humor. But also his dedication and commitment to the causes taken up by TIACA, which he served effectively as board member for many years. We travelled the world together on TIACA business. You couldn't find a more agreeable travel companion. I know I am just one of Richard's many friends worldwide greatly saddened by the news of his passing."
     We admired Richard's tenacity to work as hard as he could to build the fortunes of his airport system.
     When Washington hosted a TIACA ACF, we recall not being especially happy about the event, but Richard turned us around when he quietly pointed out that he thought we were right. He had followed us for years and admired our efforts.
     Just before he retired some years later, he put those sentiments in writing to us.
     Richard was a smart, decent, hard working executive that was always good for air cargo.
     He was also, by example, a wonderful teacher.
     We learned that for most of his life, Richard was also a runner.
     Somebody once said, “If you find meaning in running, chances are, you’ll find meaning in life.”
     Thinking about Richard today, I believe it.
     Happy landings always, Richard.
Geoffrey