Colonel Rance Lawrence Nymeyer

Raymond (Rance) Lawrence Nymeyer passed from this life on October 25, 2026. He was born to Virginia and Lawrence Nymeyer in Loving, New Mexico, in February 1947. He lived a life of service to his Lord Jesus Christ and to his country.

After graduating from Carlsbad High School, he attended the Air Force Academy for a year, and then enrolled in Texas A&M University where he graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, and with a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps where he found his calling.

His training included T34 and T28 prop trainer aircraft, followed by Bell Helicopter TH-57 and UH-1 helicopters. After receiving his wings, he was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, and old Navy blimp base, near El Toro, CA.

Among assignments during his 30-year career, he was deployed and flew aboard the USS Inchon, USS Okinawa, USS Tripoli, and out of NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines in support of Viet Nam coastal operations sweeping for mines.

In the late 1970’s, he was assigned to HMX-1 in Quantico, VA, the unit providing Presidential support and also tactical support for the Marine Corps Officers Basic School. He was a co-pilot assigned to transport Presidents Ford and then Carter on Marine One. He operationally tested the CH-53E helicopter prototype.

Following this assignment, he was assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One at MCAS Yuma, AZ. Members of this squadron learned and then taught advanced low altitude methods and tactics for all USMC tactical aircraft and helicopters. He did research and testing on newly developing night vision goggles.

At the end of 1979 and into the next year, Major Nymeyer was a senior helicopter pilot involved with other military branches in a highly complex attempt to rescue 148 hostages from the US Embassy in Tehran, Iran. This mission ended in a major accident involving several of the participating aircraft before reaching Tehran.

Lt. Colonel Nymeyer was deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm as Commanding officer of a CH53E squadron 1990-1991. Colonel Nymeyer finished his career at the Pentagon as Senior Aviator Ordnance Liaison and with more than 4300 flight hours in various helicopters.

After retirement from the Marine Corps and after a year of volunteer service as an EMT at a volunteer fire department in Virginia, civilian Nymeyer moved back to Loving, New Mexico, to help care for his father who was in poor health, and discovered a second career as medical transport helicopter pilot with AeroCare where he flew for 8 years. He loved the Marine Corps and all his buddies there and medical transport.

After his second retirement, Rance enjoyed volunteering with a local hospice, flying his experimental aircraft, an RV6a, and building an experimental helicopter, as well as traveling with the love of his life, Judy, to many places around the world: China, Panama Canal, Australia, New Zealand, and a European river cruise. He and Judy enjoyed many flying trips to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association Airventure Fly-in and Airshow.

Even though Rance loved his military service, nothing was more important to him than his service to his God. He lived a life in which he gave unconditionally to those around him and to his church. His life was marked by selflessness.

He is survived by Judy, his sisters, Virginia Nymeyer, and Laura Cahenzli (Mark), nephew, Kyle Cahenzli (K’Lee), niece, Christianne Cahenzli, and great-niece, Christina Robertson, and other family members. A memorial service is planned for November 7, at 11:00, Second Baptist Church. A graveside service is planned for November 6, at 10:00, at the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

The family is especially grateful for Lacey, Angelina and others at Angel’s Arms Assisted Living and to Jessica, Bert, and all members of Bridge Hospice.

Donations can be made to Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 19 Scholarship fund, Second Baptist Church, or a charity of your choice.