1938 - 2017
1938
2017
Well I, Richard "Dick" Terrell Fortenberry, finally died at age 79, but not before God gave me a wonderful and exciting life. I always said that if I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself, but there was a time I didn't plan on living past 35 years old. I was born Richard Terrell Fortenberry to Richard Franklin and Mildred Haney Fortenberry on June 4, 1938 in Coleman, Texas. My mother was killed in a car accident when I was two years old and I was given to my Grandparents, Baxter and Jesse Fortenberry to raise.
In 1956, I joined the Army and went to paratrooper school with the 77th Special Forces Group at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. After completing my individual and unit training I attended the parachute riggers school in Ft. Lee, Virginia. In 1958, "Skydiving" was approved as a sport in the military. I made my first free-fall on November 8, 1958 on Sicily Drop Zone. I rapidly excelled in the sport and when the STRAC Parachute Team (later to become the "GOLDEN KNIGHTS") was formed, I was one of the original seven members. During my assignment on the Team I became the first to ever win three consecutive National Championships, 1961, 1962, and 1963, and help establish 24 world accuracy records. I was on the United States Parachute Team from 1960 through 1964, and was team Captain from '61 through '64. In 1960, I won the "overall" silver medal in Sofia, Bulgeria, and was the first to ever make a "dead center" landing on the target. In 1962, I won Bronze at Orange, Mass. And in 1964 I won that illusive Gold Medal as Overall World Champion, in Leiutkirch, West Germany. In 1975, I was awarded the "Leonardo da Vinci Diploma" by the Federation of Aeronautics International. This is the highest award in the world for parachuting. For my tour of duty on the Golden Knights, I was awarded the Legion of Merit. In 2011, I authored a book titled "NO ETA", The Pioneering Days of Skydiving.
Accomplishing all I could in parachuting, I entered the Army's helicopter flight school graduating 2nd in my class and spent the next fifteen months as a gunship pilot in Viet Nam. During that period, I was awarded the Bronze Star and 26 air medals, two of which, were for valor.
In 2016 I was inducted into the National Skydiving Hall of Fame for my contributions to the sport. I was also inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame this year.
I am survived by my beautiful wife of 40 years, Linda; our children, twin daughters, Jennifer Fortenberry and Amanda Clary, Theresa Creber, Diana Thomasson and Chanc; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in December at the Golden Knight Reunion in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Remembrances: Golden Knights Alumni Association - Post Office Box 42401, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28309-2401.
IT WAS A LONG, STRANGE JOURNEY! NOW WHAT?
Please share your thoughts about Dick and his life at www.gamblefuneralservice.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Just got this news, having fallen out of touch in recent years. Dick was one of the most joyous people to be around. I'll miss knowing he's in the world. But then..he still is. My best to Linda and the twins. I'd love to hear from Linda.
Dustin Smith
November 24, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. May God provide the comfort and strength that your family needs at this difficult time (Matthew 5:4). Your family will be in my prayers.
July 15, 2017
You have concluded your life as a trend setter and World champion in so many ways. I want to thank you for allowing me to be a friend to you and your family.
George Torrealba
July 12, 2017
Will always remember the great times with Dick at Mobil, an honest trusting friend.Thinking of you Linda....
Dan Marcinkowski
July 11, 2017
I knew of Dick as a fellow skydiver, finally met the legend as a fellow pilot when the 82nd was sent to Vietnam after TET '68 and Dick's unit moved in with us for a short while at Chu Lai. It was an honor to meet him and a greater honor to hoist a few while he sang ballads about the war. One of the greats. The world will be less fun without him. He will be missed.
John Shepardson
Military
July 11, 2017
Dick,
You are gone but not forgotten. The highest complement one pilot can say to another is " You are one heck of a good pilot." Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed.
Jeff & Edith Frank
July 10, 2017
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more