Posted by LCDR Patrick Horton (USCG-R) on February 21, 2025:

After finishing graduate school at UCLA I took up flight training at TOR airfield (Torrance) with COL Richard Gerry Dingman about 2001 or so and he was generous as he was wise in all things aviation. I wanted to get my private pilot training in powered flight so he took me on my first flight in the Cessna 150 flying orbits over the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the Port of Los Angeles and nearby USCG Sector Los Angeles / Long Beach base too which would later be a Coast Guard duty station for me over many years. Gerry took me up in his personal aircraft to Krey Field and was always so gracious, and ever the Officer and Gentlemen inspiring me to the strive for that standard in my own right. At Krey field Gerry took me aloft in a glider -no power but thermals and a tow for propulsion- and in his deft hands we stayed aloft for some memorable flying in near silence. His stories of his time in the US Army and later US Air Force spanning Korea and Vietnam were amazing, matter of fact recollections of a long Armed Forces career in faithful service to the United States and our people. We are rightfully grateful that such patriots as COL Dingman have served with such distinction and shown their pedigree at USMA Westpoint in living the credo Duty, Honor, Country. Suffice to say, he was an inspiration to me as a flight instuctor and as a military officer and so after 9/11 I enlisted in the US Army, tried to fly but did not, and made my way to the USCG Academy OCS in 2011. Now 22 years on, I am now still serving in uniform with the spirit and example set by COL Dingman. His guidance, spirit, company and humor will be missed, although I am ever grateful to have known him. Condolences to his family and friends. Fair winds and following seas COL Dingman. Very respectfully, LCDR Patrick J Horton, USCG-R Sector San Diego

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