Richard graduated high school early to join the military. He enlisted in the Navy in March, 1945. A few years later he was accepted into the US Air Force Cadet Pilot Training Program. He subsequently went into the Air Force in June, 1948. While in the Air Force, he piloted multiple aircraft from P-51 Mustangs to F-4 Phantoms.
He retired to Florida with his wife and daughters after 31 years of service. It was then that he took up golf and fishing. He dabbled in real estate for a few years until his daughters married and then was a full-time golfer and fisherman once again.
Richard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years, Dorothy and his son, Douglas. He is survived by his daughters Deborah (Randy) Godfrey and Diana (Jeffrey) Draves; grandchildren, Jacob Godfrey, Andrew (Ariel) Draves, Sarah (Kyle) Weidlein, Danal Hein, Kristin (John) Goodwin, Colleen (Pete) Brady; great-grandchildren, Kalvin Wright, Everett Weidlein, Graham Weidlein, Jessica Kokiel, Jessica Goodwin and Taylor Goodwin; and great great grandchildren, Vinnie Gavin and Carter Shields; as well as many nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home 635 E Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida. Family will receive guests at 10:00am with services following at 11:00am. Burial services will be at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, 27200 Jones Loop Road, Punta Gorda, Florida.
