Former Gov. Brian Sandoval, right recognizes Richard “Dick” Whiston as the state’s Veteran of the Month in December 2018. (Photo: Steve Ranson/LVN)
Although he was known to be a quiet man to many, Carson City’s Richard “Dick” Whiston became a vocal voice in supporting his fellow veterans, not only from the 1960s when he served in the U.S. Army, but also during the decades ranging from World War II to Afghanistan.
The 77-year-old Whiston, who was born in Flushing, N.Y., died Jan. 2 after a lengthy illness. Whiston recently completed an Honor Flight Nevada trip in December to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
For many years, Whiston, who served as a captain in the Republic of Korea in the mid-1960s, donated money and time to the area’s veterans. He became interested in assisting Honor Flight Nevada after talking with John “Big John” Konvicka, a board member who lived in Carson City at the time. Konvicka said Whiston’s job was to interrogate spies caught by the South Koreans.
“His unit was so successful at catching the northern spies that a bounty was put out on his head by the North (Korean government) of 5 million KPW won … at the exchange rate he was worth $2,300 … and they specified dead,” Konvicka recalled. “Dick’s greatest motivation for supporting veterans came from his raising by his father who never served in the military but who had the utmost respect for World War I soldiers who paved the way for his family to immigrate to the U.S. His dad told him they were no longer Europeans … they were citizens of the USA and they were very proud to be just that. Dick suffered a broken neck at paratrooper training in basic and never forgot the care he received during his recovery.”
Talking to Konvicka piqued Whiston’s interest in helping his fellow vets who fly to Washington, D.C., to see the nation’s memorials built in their honor; however, Whiston also became interested in helping Honor Flight Nevada by sponsoring a trip to Pearl Harbor in February 2020. Jon Yuspa, executive director and founder of Honor Flight Nevada, said over the years Whiston and the program became one. Konvicka had asked him to become an Honor Flight donator more than five years ago, but first, Whiston wanted to go on a trip to see the working components of the program.
“On that trip,” said Yuspa, “Dick handed John a $50,000 check.”
Being able to converse with fellow veterans allowed Whiston to reach out to them like family, thus allowing him to emerge out of his shell. Whiston had sponsored his first Honor Flight Nevada trip. If Whiston had decided not to sponsor additional flights, Yuspa assured Whiston he was part of the Honor Flight family.
After arranging for numerous flights to Washington, Yuspa and his board of directors wanted to do something special for the area’s World War II veterans. Planning for the trip took more than a year to complete, but Yuspa and his directors such as Jim and Dawn Forbus, Ken Santor and David Sousa plotted out the itinerary and arranged for the flight to Pearl Harbor almost two years ago.
“I don’t remember how the talk about the first Pearl Harbor trip started, but Dick said he would pay for it,” Yuspa said.
On the third day of the trip when 18 World War II and two Korean War veterans ate lunch at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Yuspa, the board of directors and fellow travelers recognized Whiston and presented him with a special jacket.
Whiston didn’t take credit for his involvement; instead he deferred to Big John.
“It’s the man standing behind me who started all this,” he said during the short presentation. “He’s the one who persuaded me this was a good thing to do.”
Konvicka, though, said Whiston was a giant among men when it came to veteran causes. The first flight with Vietnam vets and the trip to Pearl Harbor hooked Whiston on helping fund trips for veterans. Whiston said in a previous interview with the Nevada News Group he saw how everyone enjoyed the flights including him.
Yuspa said Whiston received a quilt from the Comstock Quilters after his first trip. The quilters honor the veterans after each Honor Flight s by presenting a handmade quilt. Yuspa said Whiston was emotionally moved by the gesture that he also donated to the quilters’ group.
Santor, a former Nevada state treasurer and current member on the Honor Fight Nevada Board of Directors, traveled on the same flights as Whiston including the two trips to Hawaii.
“He did it for the veterans in Nevada, unbelievable,” Santor said. “Dick first came to Honor Flight as an introvert; he didn’t talk much,” Santor said, adding over time Whiston began to find his comfort zone. “He really did find a home. I’ll never forget what he did. He opened his heart, and he contributed money for veterans to take trips to Washington, D.C., and Pearl Harbor. He will forever be in our hearts.”
Frank Greenwood, commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 1 in Reno, distinctly remembers a conversation with Whiston years ago. Greenwood said Whiston came to his office asking how he could help DAV.
“We buy vans every year,” said Greenwood, a U.S. Marine veteran.
Whiston had another question about the cost for each van and then offered to buy several vans. He left Greenwood’s office saying he would return.
“He brought me a check for three vans, and the next year, he bought two more,” Greenwood said.
Eventually, Whiston bought three vans for Las Vegas, with each van costing $39,000. He insisted his name not be added to the vans.
“I found out Dick was a vet, and we became friends. We started having lunch together and did that for a few years. More than that he was a friend, and I’m shocked with his passing,” Greenwood said.
When the Nevada Department of Veterans Services and former Gov. Brian Sandoval honored Whiston as the December 2018 Veteran of the Month, NDVS Director Kat Miller said Whiston's generosity will help transport veterans to their medical appointments.
“His nomination focused on his generosity, donating his time and money to programs benefitting veterans, including Honor Flight and the DAV Transportation Program,” Miller said. “He will always be remembered by the veterans whose lives he touched and for his willingness to ‘roll up his sleeves’ to help any fellow veteran in need.”
At that same ceremony, which was attended by more than 150 people, Sandoval said he was humbled by Whiston’s contributions to the veterans.
“Without the vans, without your volunteer time to take them where they need to go, they often would not get the medical care they needed,” Sandoval said. “You gave them the opportunity to do so. I am so humbled, honored and privileged to be part of this event and what you have done for so many people.”
Although he was honored as a Veteran of the Month, Whiston said after the ceremony awards don’t motivate him, veterans do. Whiston said he appreciates all veterans no matter what they did during their service.
Whiston, a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, served as executive vice present and general counsel for Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies Co., and president of the firm’s Space and Russian Operations for 17 months.
“He never lost a case and extremely rarely settled one for money,” Konvicka said. “He traveled the world and was proud of the fact that he had been in over 150 countries.”
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