Walter Hammond Righter (1905 - 1982) An Illustrated Biography by his daughter, Frances Jean Righter Tucker © 2005
Chapter 1. Home Home on the Ranch : Part 4
Last Updated : October 13, 2005
Luscombe 8E Silvaire, 1946
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In 1946 Dad bought a Luscombe 8E Silvaire in May 1946, a "trainer" model and took flying lessons from Don Dwiggins, flight instructor at Whiteman Air Park in San Fernando, CA for a total of 2 hours and 41minutes.
Walt and instructor Don Dwiggins
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He then soloed for 3hrs and 3min doing the required spins, stalls, steep turns, spirals and received his pilot license.
Walt's Pilot's License
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This was a record flight time. No one had ever earned a pilot's license in such a short time. The customary initiation for the new pilots was to cut off a piece of their shirttails and tack then on the wall bulletin board. It was a colorful display.
Walt 'looses his shirt tail' after getting his license
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Read the story as reported in the local press
Fran Righter Tucker remembers : "Dad often hired friends or relatives or neighbors who were financially struggling. He would train them if need be. One was a stunt man and bit player in the movies-Danny Morgan-brother or cousin of Denis Morgan the actor/singer.
Dad gave him an office job-a far cry from being a cowboy stunt man-but he did well. He asked Dad to buy his horse "John Blount", (named after the famous director Cecil Blount DeMille) because he couldn't afford the upkeep. Dad made him a deal, he would buy the horse if he would teach his daughter how to ride.
Dad and "John", 1940
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What a deal! Horses were my passion and, of course, I always wanted one and to learn the proper way to ride. John was a very large Buckskin and I looked very tiny on him. He was beautifully trained and a fine show horse. With a gentle nudge on the withers with a finger and thumb or a tiny pressure of the knees, he would do all sorts of movements and tricks.
Dad and "John" and Fran, 1940
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It must have been hard to let such a wonderful horse go. Danny taught me both English and Western style of riding. Later in 1943 Dad bought another horse from another hungry employee and we could ride together. It was a Pinto Gelding named Paint. I fit him better."
Dad, Cathie, Fran and "John", 1940
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United States Power Squadron at Balboa Beach, CA
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Dad enjoyed fishing, reading, riding his horse and traveling, solving tough technical mechanical problems and working on the family genealogy.
Dad belonged to the United States Power Squadron at Balboa Beach, CA and the Newport Ocean Sailing Association at Newport Beach, CA. and loved sailing his schooner or crewing in a race on someone else's. He also was a keen fisherman
Walt's Schooner, 'Song O' the Wind'
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Walt's Schooner, 'Song O' the Wind'
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Walt's Schooner, 'Song O' the Wind'
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Walt and Shark
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Walt with granddaughter Delor sailing, 'Song O' the Wind'
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Grandson Dana 'sailing', 'Song O' the Wind'
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Granddaughter Candace aboard, 'Song O' the Wind'
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Walt was on the Board of Trustees and in 1940 he became the Deacon at the First Congregational Church in Glendale, and the Chairman of the Building Committee. He had the organ repaired and was in charge of rebuilding the front of the church 1949-1950. He taught Sunday school for teenage boys and in January 1945 became a member of the Southern California Soaring Association Inc.
Southern California Soaring Association Inc.
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In May 1945 he became an "active member" of the National Association of Manufacturers. He was asked to give lectures at schools and various organizations about his engines and career. Walt was a member of the Kiwanis International organization and the Master and Past Master of two Masonic lodges.
Walter receives a special Masonic award
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"Walter receiving an award for having been Master and Past Master for two different lodges. First, one in Glendale and later when it was overflowing, a another 'Lodge' was built. They needed someone to start it off right and train the new members. Dad had me make all the secret garments used in their rituals. I was sworn to secrecy."
When Walt and Norma moved from Glendale to the ranch in Orange in 1960, it wasn't long before the new freeway took a chunk of the ranch for an off ramp to Tustin Ave. All of the neighboring ranches were gone, subdivided and covered with business buildings and homes. The Sunkist packinghouse was gone. A neighbor, Walt Frick, who had the tractor and plowed the orchard at irrigation time had died, and the pickers were no longer around. It became time to sell the ranch.
Walter at The Ranch House, 1963
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Walter and his sister, Ruth, sold it March 27, 1969. That was a heartbreaking day. It was a beautiful orchard and their Valencia's were the best tasting oranges anywhere! The ones on the market today don't even come close.
There were also other fruit trees on the ranch; a couple of avocado trees, lemon, loquat, persimmon, fig, banana, apricot, some grape vines and two gigantic walnut trees. One was a giant-plus, with the longest rope and swing hanging from a limb that you have ever seen. A child's dream-come-true. Dad would push me unbelievably high. Such fun!
Fran, July 1935
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A nursery replaced the old house on Tustin Ave. and the rest is now streets and homes. One street was named " Righter Circle".
Walt at "Righter Circle"
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Walter and Norma moved a few blocks away to 12912 Malena Drive Walt immediately built a machine shop attach behind the garage. And then he planted a rose garden for his 'Norm', an Avocado tree, Mulberry tree, Lemon, Persimmon, two different varieties of plum trees, a vegetable garden and two orange trees, a Valencia and of course, a Navel. He helped build and was treasurer of their new church, the Church of the Foothills and even preached the sermon now and then.
12912 Malena Drive in mid 2004
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Norma and Walt celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on June 25, 1982. They had a wonderful loving relationship. If they had differences to work out, Catherine and I never knew. We never ever heard them say a cross word to each other.
Walt's Poetry
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Walt continued to work on his new ideas and projects, his garden, reading, writing his limericks and poems until he died, still as sharp as a tack at age 77 on July 11, 1982. Norma died three years later Feb. 15, 1985 age 80. Both were much loved by their many friends and family. Walt was admired and respected by all who knew him.
Walt and Norma on their Golden Wedding Anniversary
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