Richard Hendrickson

Hank was born in Connersville, Indiana on October 30, 1932 to Edgar and Mildred (Sheard) Hendrickson. He was the 7th of 10 children, 9 boys and one girl.

At the age of 17, he join the United States Marine Corps. During his service, he was part of the landing at Inchon, Korea in September 1950 and was with the US 1st Marine Division during the advance toward the Chosin Reservoir later that year. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1954 with the rank of sergeant.

As he would tell it, in 1955 after being cold and hungry with a hole in his last pair of boots and facing another harsh Indiana winter, he went to the recruitment office to reenlist. He instead joined the United States Army as they offered to enlist him at the same rank he held at his previous discharge, something the Marine Corps wouldn’t offer him.

While in the Army, he served again in Korea, then was stationed in Japan, followed by Germany, and served a tour in Vietnam before returning stateside for good.

While stationed at Camp Zama, Japan after the Korean War, he earned the nickname “Hank” due to his love of singing Hank Williams songs when he called square dancing at the service club. Among a group of regulars, he met his future wife, Vada Louise Connelly- a corporal in the Army. They were married on July 7, 1959 in Connersville, Indiana.

During his distinguished military career, he was awarded The Purple Heart as a US Marine for wounds received at the Chosin Reservoir.

He was also awarded The Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces while with the 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam.

After retiring from the Army in September 1971 as a Sergeant First Class, the family moved to Baytown, Texas. Hank began work as a Sergeant with the Port of Houston Police Department where he worked for 7 years before becoming a full time boatman. He was a member of the Boatman Association I.L.A Local 1438 and proudly worked the Houston Ship Channel for 25 years before his retirement in 2003. Hank was also a Mason who achieved the rank of 32nd degree.

He leaves behind his children Richard Hendrickson Jr., Pamela (Donald) Dancaster, and Bruce (Susan) Hendrickson; sister, Betty Harris; two brothers, Thomas (Nancy) and Charles ‘Bud’ (Lorna) Hendrickson; grandchildren Richard Hendrickson III, James Hendrickson, Dana (Alex) McNally, Roxanne Hendrickson, Julie Egan, Zachary (Alisyn) Hendrickson, and Sara Hendrickson; as well as great grandchildren Austin Egan, Andrew Egan, Aurora Hendrickson, and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Blakey Louise Hendrickson in October.

He was proceeded in death by the love of his life, Vada Louise Hendrickson in 2004; a beloved brother, George “Pat” Hendrickson at the age of 100 in November 2023; as well as brothers William, Ralph, Robert, Jack, and Jim Hendrickson.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, September 9 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home (Colonial Chapel). Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 10 in the same location. Interment with military honors will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.