Richard J. O'Melia, 88, a lawyer and a former vice chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board, died of cancer Oct. 26 at Manor Care Health Services in Potomac, Md.
O'Melia, a licensed pilot, had been a member of the staff of the aviation agency from 1957 until 1973, when he was appointed by President Nixon to complete a term on the board that expired the next year. He was reappointed to a six-year term by President Ford.
