Ben was born in the Philippines to parents Isadore REICH and Annie Kupferman REICH. The family fled to the U.S.A. just weeks before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. The family wound up in Los Angeles 1942 where Ben became a naturalized citizen.
Ben attended Hamilton High School in LA then UC Berkley majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Returning to LA he followed with a Masters degree at UCLA in Aeronautical Engineering.
Upon graduation 1950, Ben hired on with Lockheed as a thermodynamist. In 1954 Ben was loaned from the main Plant to Kelly JOHNSON at the Skunk Works and thus began a famous career. When Kelly retired, Ben became second Skunk Works Chief.
Rich won for his Skunk Works team the 1989 Collier Trophy for the F-117 Stealth Aircraft design and production.
In 1994 Ben was awarded the Military's "Distinguished Service Medal", the highest award for a civillian.
Ben RICH's son Michael D.Rich carries on his father's tradition in the Aerospace World as Michael is President & CEO of RAND CORP.
Ben attended Hamilton High School in LA then UC Berkley majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Returning to LA he followed with a Masters degree at UCLA in Aeronautical Engineering.
Upon graduation 1950, Ben hired on with Lockheed as a thermodynamist. In 1954 Ben was loaned from the main Plant to Kelly JOHNSON at the Skunk Works and thus began a famous career. When Kelly retired, Ben became second Skunk Works Chief.
Rich won for his Skunk Works team the 1989 Collier Trophy for the F-117 Stealth Aircraft design and production.
In 1994 Ben was awarded the Military's "Distinguished Service Medal", the highest award for a civillian.
Ben RICH's son Michael D.Rich carries on his father's tradition in the Aerospace World as Michael is President & CEO of RAND CORP.
Ben was born in the Philippines to parents Isadore REICH and Annie Kupferman REICH. The family fled to the U.S.A. just weeks before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. The family wound up in Los Angeles 1942 where Ben became a naturalized citizen.
Ben attended Hamilton High School in LA then UC Berkley majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Returning to LA he followed with a Masters degree at UCLA in Aeronautical Engineering.
Upon graduation 1950, Ben hired on with Lockheed as a thermodynamist. In 1954 Ben was loaned from the main Plant to Kelly JOHNSON at the Skunk Works and thus began a famous career. When Kelly retired, Ben became second Skunk Works Chief.
Rich won for his Skunk Works team the 1989 Collier Trophy for the F-117 Stealth Aircraft design and production.
In 1994 Ben was awarded the Military's "Distinguished Service Medal", the highest award for a civillian.
Ben RICH's son Michael D.Rich carries on his father's tradition in the Aerospace World as Michael is President & CEO of RAND CORP.
Ben attended Hamilton High School in LA then UC Berkley majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Returning to LA he followed with a Masters degree at UCLA in Aeronautical Engineering.
Upon graduation 1950, Ben hired on with Lockheed as a thermodynamist. In 1954 Ben was loaned from the main Plant to Kelly JOHNSON at the Skunk Works and thus began a famous career. When Kelly retired, Ben became second Skunk Works Chief.
Rich won for his Skunk Works team the 1989 Collier Trophy for the F-117 Stealth Aircraft design and production.
In 1994 Ben was awarded the Military's "Distinguished Service Medal", the highest award for a civillian.
Ben RICH's son Michael D.Rich carries on his father's tradition in the Aerospace World as Michael is President & CEO of RAND CORP.
