The R.C. “Doc” Weaver Leadership Scholarship has been established for high school graduates continuing their education in the aviation industry. In 2022 EAA Chapter 179 added this $2000 scholarship to our annual award program, this funded by the Weaver family.
Upon graduating from college, Richard “Doc” Weaver joined the United States Air Force (USAF) to seek a career as a pilot. Lt. Col. Weaver is part of a “three generations” of pilots. His father-in-law, Leo Purinton flew the Stearman as an instructor during WWII and taught both Doc and his son to fly. Doc’s son, Lt. Col. Scott Weaver, flew the T-38A and F16C in his 20 year USAF career.
In 1974, his final flying assignment before retirement took him to Kirtland AFB, NM. Highlights of Doc’s career include a year in Vietnam flying the C-123 and three years with NASA and Apollo 11, helping put a man on the moon. In addition to flying, painting provided Doc with a creative outlet that greatly enhanced his life. He retired from the active military in 1976 and has been painting full time since then and living in Santa Fe with his wife of over 65 years, Alyce Purinton Weaver.
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Three Generations
Leo Purinton (left), Doc” Weaver (center), Scott Weaver (right)
Scott flies an RV-8 based at KAEG and a 777-200 for American Airlines.
Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by gyoungiii