Ralph Johnson 

Ralph Johnson graduated from Purdue’s mechanical engineering program in 1930, and he received an honorary doctorate in 2008 at age 101. Following graduation, he began pilot training at March Field in California, spending several adventurous years with the U.S. Army Air Corps before transitioning to civilian life. Johnson made substantial contributions to air safety, pioneering hallmark designs and innovations. He dedicated his life to enhancing existing technology and creating new procedures, notably developing the standardized procedure for safely landing large aircraft, known as the "stabilized approach," which revolutionized flight and remains standard practice for all pilots. After a distinguished career that included more than 7,000 test flights as United Airlines' chief test pilot, Johnson ventured into politics, serving two terms in the Wyoming House of Representatives in the 1950s. Despite his political engagements, Johnson continued pursuing his passion for flying, owning a squadron of 22 World War II aircraft and participating in missions such as bombing fire ants and fighting forest fires until he was 82. Recognized as an aviation pioneer, he was inducted into the Wyoming and Arizona Aviation Halls of Fame. Johnson lived to be 103.