Richard D’Ambrogio, one of the earlier corporate pilots who flew for the Rockefeller family flight operation Wayfarer Ketch Corp. for decades, died on December 20 at his home in Rutland, Vermont. He was 89. 

Born in the Bronx on January 25, 1930, D’Ambrogio joined the U.S. Air Force originally as a mechanic. But his interest in flying led him to cadet school, where he became a pilot. During his time with the USAF, he was involved in the Korean War. 

Following his service, he joined the White Plains, New York-based Wayfarer Ketch flight department in the late 1950s, flying with them for 30 years, until he retired. D’Ambrogio operated a range of aircraft—the Twin Beech 18, Fairchild F-27, and Grumman Gulfstream I and II among them—and is estimated to have accrued as many as 20,000 hours. He also piloted for Time and Life. His wife of nearly 60 years, Eleanor, spoke of his passion for flight, saying “he enjoyed every minute" and a fellow Wayfarer Ketch pilot and friend described D'Ambrogio as an "old school corporate pilot, who knew how to fly 'em and fix 'em."

Along with his wife, D’Ambrogio is survived by his three sons, Richard, Robert, and Adam; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.