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KALAMAZOO — Dowagiac native and aviation and historical artist Rick Herter has been selected for enshrinement into the Michigan Aviation Hall Of Fame.  

The Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame was established in 1987 to recognize men and women who have made significant contributions and celebrate their achievements in the world of aviation and aerospace. The MAHOF  is located inside the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. The MAHOF is committed to recognizing enshrinees as role models, “as they inspire today’s youth to follow their own vision and achieve excellence, no matter what their field of choice.” 

Each year, five to six men and women are inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame during the Air Zoo’s Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards. Votes are cast annually by Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame Inductors, past enshrinees, and participating Air Zoo Members.

Herter grew up on a farm near Dowagiac and took his first airplane ride on his 13th birthday. That first flight, with a former WWII bomber pilot at the controls, would begin a lifelong passion for aviation and aviation history.  Graduating from Spring Arbor College – now Spring Arbor University – in 1984 with a degree in fine art/commercial illustration, Herter eventually began working within the Air Show and defense related industries. 

In 1988, Rick was invited by the office of the Secretary of the Air Force to join an elite group of civilian artists documenting United States Air Force history and operations, worldwide. Herter was given the opportunity, through the Air Force Art Program, to earn the distinction of being flight qualified thus making him eligible to train and fly with various Air Force units in everything from training to bomber to fighter aircraft. Rick has deployed and flown both on training and combat operations over nearly 35 years of service in his role as a historical artist.

In addition to his work for the military, Herter has also served the corporate world of aviation regularly working for companies like Airbus, Boeing, Rolls-Royce and many others. His work hangs in the boardrooms of numerous Airlines around the world as well as private, public and museum collections. His largest work is a 26,000 square-foot interior mural at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. The artist currently resides near Jupiter, Florida. 

The enshrinement ceremony will take place Saturday, May 17.  For more information please contact Ben Page at the Air Zoo at (269) 350-2819 or bpage@airzoo.org.

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