Richard Cody Casper

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalms 116:15

RICHARD C. CASPER

God graced him with life in Pleasantville, New Jersey on May 16, 1939. At the age of 83, Richard peacefully entered into the Lord’s presence on March 8, 2023 at his home in Chandler, Arizona after a long battle with glioblastoma an aggressive form of brain cancer. Richard was the oldest of three sons born to Isaiah and Ellisa Casper. His loving parents and brother Robert Casper, Sr. preceded him in death.

Richard grew up in the church and spent most of his childhood dreaming of becoming a pilot. Their Pleasantville home was in the flight path of a nearby airport where Richard would watch airplanes takeoff and land all day. He would look to the sky and say, “One day I am going to fly one of those!”

After graduating from Pleasantville High School in 1957, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

Unfortunately, his less than 20/20 vision did not qualify him for pilot training. So, he took the next opportunity and decided to work on planes. Thus, beginning MSgt Casper’s accomplished 26-year career in the Air Force as a Jet Propulsion Aircraft Engine Technician serving with distinction all over the world.

From 1970-1975, the Air Force selected and assigned MSgt Casper to the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland where he maintained President Richard Nixon’s presidential fleet. Specifically, VC-137C SAM2700, otherwise known as Air Force One. After his tour with the 89th Airlift Wing, MSgt Casper deployed and served at Udorn, Air Force Base, in northeastern Thailand where he supported Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of US personnel from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of US and South Vietnamese personnel from Saigon. Richard completed an extensive education throughout his military career and attended Southern Illinois University.

In 1964, Richard married his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Diana Laurel. To this union they were blessed with daughters Sandra and Susan. The family enjoyed their military life traveling the globe to countries like Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, and Paris just to name a few.

Richard and Carol’s love for travel also included 15 cruises all over the Caribbean and Mediterranean including France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Greece.

Richard always had a love for sports spending two years at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska where he was on the Golden Gloves Boxing Team and earning his American Taekwondo First Degree Black Belt.

MSgt Casper retired from the military in 1983, where he lived with his family in Shalimar, Florida.

Staying close to his military roots, Richard entered civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida and served as a Jet Engine Specialist.

In 2000, Richard and Carol both retired from their government careers before moving to Winter Park, Florida.

In 2015, the Caspers relocated to Chandler, Arizona and became devoted members of Historic Tanner Chapel A.M.E Church where Richard served with dedication on the Trustee Board, enjoyed singing in the men’s choir, and did odd handyman jobs around the church including planting beautiful flowers in front of the sanctuary.

Richard leaves to mourn wife, Carol Casper; daughters, Sandra Richardson and Susan (Sidney) Casper-Smith; one brother, Claude; six grandchildren Jeffrey, Ashley (Justin), Denise (Kenneth), Mercedes, Sophia, Sierra; five great- grandchildren Anaya, Jaiden, Jrue, Jace and Sevyn; two sisters-in-law Lynn Casper and Gwen Moody; brother and sister-in-law James (Pat) Laurel, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Done in Forever Love, The Casper Family