I was born on a large Tennessee farm in 1923, the grandson of freed slaves and the son of field hands. As a black man aging over an eight decade period, I have observed life from number of vantages, from last-class citizen in a nation blanketed in racial bigotry to respected member of society in a nation still filled with racial tension. This autobiography chronicles how I confronted those economics and cultural barriers to raise from being a poor orphan to become an aircraft pilot, the owner of a million-dollar business and later a politician.

U.L. Rip Gooch is a pilot with 20,000 flight hours; a retired FAA pilot examiner and retired Kansas state senator, and one of the few African Americans to serve on the Wichita City Council, among other careers. He is a member of the Black Aviation Hall of Fame, and currently resides in Wichita, Kansas.

“Sen. Rip Gooch is a man of integrity, a role model and a leader. He has served the people of Wichita and Kansas in ways that can never be measured.”

Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas

“He was a courageous and honorable man who stood up for his convictions.”

Bob Knight, former Mayor of Wichita, Kansas

“As told in this book, the life of Rip Gooch has been a combination of joys and sorrows, challenges, opportunities and successes.”

George Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to Gambia