Richard was born in Spring Green, Wisconsin, on November 24, 1937, to Louis and Hilda (Feiner) Hetzel. He graduated from Spring Green High School in 1955 and attended the University of Wisconsin and Electronics Vocational School.
Richard served our country for 18 years. He enlisted in the Air National Guard in October 1955. In April of 1958, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Harlingen Air Force Base while attending Navigator school. He left the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and continued serving in the Air National Guard until April 9, 1973.
He met Bobbi Joann Carter in San Antonio and married her on June 6, 1959. After a couple of years in Texas, they moved to Milwaukee, WI where Richard worked for AC Sparkplug as an Electronics Technician.
In 1967, he obtained his pilot’s license, and the family moved to Rockford, IL where he went to work for Hartzog Aviation, beginning his lifelong career in Aviation. Texas came calling in 1977, and San Antonio became home again. Richard joined Chaparral Aviation as a facility manager. He was quickly promoted to Operations Manager, overseeing 5 FBO locations in Texas until 1989 when he accepted a position with Beechcraft Holdings in Indianapolis, IN. Throughout his career, Richard and his wife Joann relocated multiple times before ultimately returning to San Antonio, where they retired in 2002.
In retirement, Richard enjoyed pursuing his passions for golf, gardening, woodworking and travel as well as cherishing quality time with loved ones. Known as the neighborhood "MacGyver," Richard was always willing to assist his neighbors and friends with any task, showcasing his vast knowledge and skills in fixing things. Richard was a 55+ year member of QB’s (Quiet Birdmen) in the Rockford, IL and San Antonio Chapter where he spent time with fellow aviators. His fun-loving personality and compassionate nature will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Richard is survived by his best friend and partner, Betty Zook; children, Richard Hetzel, Jr., John Hetzel, Cindy Bostick and Katy (Bob) Bryant; grandsons, James Bostick III, Kevin Bostick; sister, Jerayln (Arthur) Meyer; brother, Gary Hetzel; and brother-in-law, David Bowman. He is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbi J. Hetzel; brother, Melvin Hetzel; brother, Robert Hetzel; and sister, Suzanne Penfield.
Visitation will be 10:00 am Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Porter Loring Mortuary North. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am, after which he will be buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at 12:30 pm.
To view a livestream of the service, please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a7gpDqvdjh7R7AKZOxepUyjwXsvj1gjd/view?usp=sharing
