Richard C. Pennington

Pennington, Richard Charles, 92, Lt. Col., USMCR (ret.), passed away March 21, 2011. He was born December 20, 1918, in Baltimore, MD, the fourth son of James H. and Matilda C. Pennington. He was raised in Trenton, NJ.

In 1941 he left Lehigh University in Pennsylvania early in his third year, traveling to Jacksonville to pursue a dream of becoming a pilot. He transferred to the Marine Corps upon completion of his flight training at NAS Jacksonville. During his training he met his future wife, Mercedes Larmoyeux. They were married for over 68 years.

He served as a command pilot for four years in the Pacific theater during World War II, transporting many of the highest-ranking naval and marine commanders to front lines in the island-hopping campaign. He was the first transport pilot to take the Pacific command into Tarawa during the battle for the island. After the war he briefly flew for National Air Lines, then served as an air traffic controller in the FAA for three years while remaining in the Marine Corps Reserves. Recalled to active duty in 1950, he commanded a squadron during the Korean War. He retired from the marines in 1959. He continued as an air traffic controller, retiring after 31 years service.

He was an avid enthusiast and practitioner of physical fitness. A bass fisherman, he also enjoyed kayaking and camping along the major rivers in Florida and Georgia. A superb swimmer throughout his life, he was a runner, a golfer, and a long-distance cyclist, participating in century rides well into his late 70's. A national champion pistol shooter, he enjoyed the sport until his 90th year.

He is survived by his wife Mercedes, son Thomas, daughter Donna, son Douglas (Pam), four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, John.

Services will be at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave. at 12:00 P.M., Monday, March 28. interment will be in the National Cemetery at 2 P.M., accompanied by the Marine Corps honor guard.