Paul E. Richter

Paul Ernest Richter Jr. (January 20, 1896 – May 15, 1949) was an American aviation pioneer, co-founder of Standard Air Lines and executive vice president of Trans World Airlines (TWA), operations chief of staff of the Naval Air Transport Service during World War II and chairman of the board, president of TACA Airlines from 1947 to 1949.

Early life Richter was born on January 20, 1896, to cattle ranchers Paul and Margaret Richter in Denver, Colorado. While growing up, Richter worked on the family ranch in Wiggins, Colorado, as a "cub" reporter for the Denver Post, and at his father's advertising agency. under to tutelage of Burdett Fuller. Richter received his pilot's license #309 in 1924, Air Transport license #501 in 1927 and Aircraft and Engine Mechanic license #702 in 1927. Richter became good friends with one of Fuller's flight instructors, Jack Frye, and another student pilot, Walter Hamilton. Richter and Frye had much in common: they both grew up on a cattle ranch and moved to California to pursue aviation careers.

In 1926, Richter, Frye and Hamilton, pooled their money together and founded Aero Corporation of California. Aero Corp bought Fuller's business and provided charter services, aerial surveying, sightseeing, flight instruction, and crop dusting.

In March 1930, Western Air Express bought controlling interest in Aero Corp, but continued to operate Standard Airlines as a separate airline. Western Air Express made Richter, Frye, and Hamilton vice presidents of the Standard Division.

In 1934 Richter was made vice president of operations and director, and Frye was made president and director. Richter became executive vice president in 1938. In 1937, Richter and Frye founded "Conquistadores del Cielo" (Conquerors of the Sky), an annual gathering of top airline executives at a dude ranch in Wyoming.

After Frye resigned from TWA due to a dispute with owner Howard Hughes in 1947, Richter was offered the position of president but decided to resign as well.

From 1947 to 1949, Richter served as chairman and president of TACA Airlines of Central and South America.

Military career Richter enlisted as a private in the army in 1918, but World War I ended while he was still in training.

Death and honors Richter died on May 15, 1949, at his home in Berkeley, California, from a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after he took a position with the Coca Cola Company.

Richter is on the Wall of Honor at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The University of Central Missouri has the "Paul E. Richter TWA" scholarship for aviation students.