Richard F. Sollner

At 93, Richard F. Sollner, of Flemington, NJ, died Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township NJ.

Born in Queens, New York, August 1, 1925, son of the late Frederick and Mary Sollner, he resided in the Flemington area since 1960.

Richard had a lifelong love of aviation and served with the US Navy at the end of World War II. Known as “The Captain,” he was a pilot for Eastern Airlines For 31 years until retiring. Dick was a member of several aviation organizations including the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians, the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; the Flying Farmers; the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapt. #643 and the Quiet Birdmen.

Dick was a 57-year member and Past President of the Flemington Rotary Club and the VIP Poker Group. As a volunteer for the organization Road to Recovery, he drove cancer patients to and from treatment. He was also a guide for the Boy Scouts of America and the Indian Princess club. An entrepreneur, Richard enjoyed owning and operating his own Christmas tree farm.

At the age of 76 and then again at 79, Capt. Dick Sollner flew around the world twice, once in 2002 and again in 2004. On both circumnavigations, the final landings were at Sky Manor Airport, Pittstown, NJ. Since completing these historic flights, Dick enjoyed talking about his experiences with others -- individuals or organizations -- always regaling his listeners with his sense of adventure. His self-published websites showcase these extraordinary experiences: www.flightaroundtheworld.com and www.aroundtheworldagain.com

He was predeceased by his daughters, Mary Elizabeth in 1973 and Margaret Ann in 2001. He was also predeceased by his brother, Frederick Sollner.

Surviving are his companion, Gale Clements Savage; four sons, Richard Sollner, Jr. of Vine Grove, KY, John F. Sollner (Ann) of Laguna Hills, CA., Adam X. Sollner (Erin) of Flemington, NJ and Christopher J. Sollner of Louisville, KY; three daughters, Suzanne Sollner-Figler (Mike) of Pittstown, NJ, Teresa Helen Bellington (Joseph) of Spruce Pine, NC and Anastasia Price (Robert) of Neptune, NJ and nine grandchildren.

Private graveside services were held Thursday, January 10 in St. Magdalen Cemetery, Flemington, NJ, under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

There will be a Memorial Gathering held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm at the Flem-Rar Diner, 324 NJ-31, Flemington, NJ 08822. Military honors will be rendered at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CARE USA: https://www.care.org.