Richard W Ogershok

Lieutenant Colonel Richard William Ogershok (USAF ret) of San Antonio, Texas, passed into the Lord’s arms on May 24, 2021, at the age of 83. Richard was born in Indianola, Pennsylvania on April 15th, 1938, to Anna Troyan Ogershok and Andrew W. Ogershok. Richard was raised in Indianola with his brother Darwin and sister Marlene and attended Deer Lakes High School. After graduation, Richard attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. While at Virginia Tech he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Regimental Corps of Cadets Band -the Highty-Tighties- Virginia Tech's longest-serving musical organization and the oldest collegiate band in the Commonwealth of Virginia. After graduation, Richard was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and assigned to Edwards Air Force Base, California. While at Edwards, Richard met the love of his like, Gloria Chaires. They were married in June 1964 and have three sons, Erik, Andrew and Gregory. Richard and Gloria celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary last year. Richard’s USAF career took him to the University of Southern California where he earned a master’s degree in engineering. Subsequent assignments sent him to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where he was a member of the Air Force Systems Command Inspector General Team, and to Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. At Brooks, he was assigned to the Aerospace Medical Division Research and Development Office as a systems engineer. Richard retired from active duty in 1984, joined the Civil Service, and subsequently returned to Brooks AFB where he was named Program Manager for the Air Force Health Study, a 25-year epidemiologic investigation into the health effects of Agent Orange. His expert leadership and organizational skills guided this program to its completion in 2006. He managed contracts and work efforts worth more than $150 million that provided for more than 10,000 physical examinations for USAF Vietnam Veterans. Study results enabled exposed veterans to receive compensation for their health conditions. Richard retired from Civil Service after 23 years of employment. Richard was an avid sportsman, excelled in golf, and was an accomplished tournament tennis player. He was an audiophile and a car buff. Richard especially enjoyed family vacations at his time-share resorts. While Richard had a passion for many things, his love for Gloria and his family came first. His love language was service; Richard was deeply religious and provided time and talents to his church parish. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Darwin Ogershok. He is survived by his devoted, loving wife, Gloria; sons Erik, Andrew, Greg and wife Micki; his sister Marlene Ogershok Sullivan and husband Louis. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be given to St. Vincent de Paul at St. John Neumann and St. Monica Catholic Churches.

Rosary, Thursday June 10, 2021, 7 P.M. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday June 11, 2021, 11:30 A.M at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.