Richard H. McNatt

Richard Howard McNatt, beloved husband, father, grandfather and Great-grandfather, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born in Camden, South Carolina on June 25, 1940, and recently resided in Lizella, Ga. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Snow’s at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Rogers officiating. Entombment will follow the service in Macon Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will have a time of visitation on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Operations Association Foundation at https://soafoundation.net/well-being/

The family will receive friends at their home at 3679 West Point Circle Lizella, Ga. 31052 following the entombment.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Benton and Alma Louise Tolbert McNatt, his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Liselotte Kammerer McNatt, and his sister, Barbara Hutchinson.

He is survived by his children, Gabriele Walter, Helga Frans, Susan Rushing (Robert), Richard McNatt (Tami), Mark McNatt (Glenna). Grandchildren Nicole Walter, Marc Walter, Martina Frans, Daniela Frans, Holli Figueroa, Whitney Socarras, Kristopher Jordan, Jonathan McNatt, Erik McNatt, Josh McNatt, Christian Roberts, Sean Roberts, and Ryan Roberts; 15 great grandchildren; brothers Fred McNatt, Larry McNatt, Ronnie McNatt, and Steve McNatt and several nieces and nephews. And “bonus daughter” Tracy Jones, who loved and cared for both Richard and Lotte over the past several years.

He served 20 years in the U.S. Army (1959-1979) and retired as a Master Sergeant. Richard served with the 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups. While in Vietnam, he served in all three SOG units: CCS as a platoon leader with the Second Exploitation Company and in Recon Company on Recon Team Plank. Richard participated in the Ba Kev mission deep in Cambodia. He served at CCN as the team leader of Recon Team Michigan and at CCC as the team leader of Recon Team New Mexico. Richard was wounded three times and received the Bronze Star Medal w/2 clusters and Valor device, 5 Overseas Service bars, German Ranger Badge Armed Forces Honor Medal 2nd class, Vietnam Civil Action Medal 1st Class, Purple Heart 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Good Conduct Metal 6th Award, Vietnam Service Metal with 1Silver Star and 2 Bronze Stars. Richard was inducted into the Special Forces Roll of Honor in November of 2014. He was known to his close friends as "The Quiet Professional". He served his country with honor and distinction.

Richard also had a love for all things outdoors, so in 1977 he and his beloved wife, Lotte, founded Divers Supply, one of the largest SCUBA supply stores in the world, that is still being run by his family.

While he was an outstanding warrior, his greatest love was his family. In his children and grandchildren, he instilled values such as hard work, determination, honesty, integrity, love of God and country, just by the example of the life he led. But his greatest love of all was his dear wife Lotte. For sixty-two years, the love they had transcended miles during deployments, raising children, struggles to start a business, and his Lotte, suffering a life changing stroke. He never left her side for all of the years that she struggled. As a family, we are heartbroken to say good-bye, but we also know that Lotte has been waiting for him to come home. Today, they are dancing in heaven.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow's @ Macon Memorial Park has charge of the arrangements.