Richard Keyser Bardo

Lt. Col. Max (Richard Keyser) Bardo USMC (ret) passed away on August 31, 2016. He was born on August 22, 1941 to Earl M. and Bertha K Bardo in Williamsport, PA. He grew up in Larchmont, NY, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University College of Agriculture with an emphasis in Landscape Architecture in 1963, and in 1977 a Master's Degree in Education, from Pepperdine University. While at Cornell he was in Naval ROTC/USMC Option. Through this program he obtained his pilot's license. Upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, reaching an important major goal in his life. He began flight training in Pensacola FL and received his wings in 1965. He was assigned to Cherry Point, NC to the first F-4 Phantom Squadron. In 1967 he earned his jump wings while attached to 1st. Anglico in Hawaii.

His personal decorations include: the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with numeral "7" and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star. After a variety of duty assignments he returned to Yuma with his family in 1980. Upon retirement in 1983, he began working for Pete Pasquinelli Produce starting in what he called "lettuce boot camp", became the general manager and did sales for several years in Yuma and Salinas. In addition he continued to follow his passion for flying as one of the corporate pilots. Max had been a proud member of the Caballeros de Yuma since 1975, worked many Padres baseball games and later at Midnight At The Oasis. He cherished the comradery and valuable contributions this group made and continues to make to our community.

Max was appointed to the Yuma County Planning and Zoning Commission in 1986 and served on that commission for 29 years. His 2 main focuses were: 1. Protecting Marine Corps Air Station Yuma from encroachment and 2. Protecting prime agricultural land. He from the County, Paul Johnson from the City, and several others, were instrumental in developing the Joint Land Use Plan, a City/County cooperative effort. In 2014 he was recognized by the Arizona Chapter of the American Planning Association for his part in this enormous project.

He was a proud and staunch member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, serving as treasurer for a number of years, as a Vestry member several times, on various committees, as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, and as the scheduler of the Lay Readers and Chalice Bearers.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Victoria, daughters Kim of Kenny Lake, AK, Seanne of Portland OR, 3 granddaughters Erin, Brooke and Meagan, 2 grandsons Joshua and Elijah and granddaughter-in-law, Lisa, all of whom he loved dearly.

He was a man who was bigger than life with multiple interests and projects; creative, dogmatic, charming, enjoying his jokes at least as much as those who heard them. He was a man of great faith and dedication and a warrior in every sense of the word.

The service will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 24th at 11AM, 1550 S 14th Ave.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Marine Corps Ass'n Foundation, Wounded Marines support, www.mcafdn.org or a charity of your choice.