Richard John Lavdar Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Rose M. Ladvar; son, Richard John Lavdar Jr. of Duncanville, Texas, and daughter Marcella Doreen Alexander of San Antonio, Texas; 4 granddaughters and 2 grandsons; and 7 great-grandchildren; brother, John Bruce Lavdar, his wife, Colleen, and their daughter Erin, sister, Joan Price, her husband Richard and their daughter Linda Bornemann; and many other extended family members and good friends.

Richard was born at home in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on April 24, 1937, the son of the late John and Elizabeth (Steirer) Lavdar. A graduate of Vocational Department of Bethlehem High School with an Electrical repairman diploma, he entered the United States Air Force on September 1, 1955 at Sampson A.F.B. Geneva, New York, followed by in-flight refueling school at Sheppard A.F.B., Wichita Falls, Texas. He then was assigned as student Boom Operator on KC-97G tankers at Barksdale A.F.B., Shreveport, Louisiana, with a little time at Goose Bay A.F.B., Labrador. Richard was transferred to Turner A.F.B., Albany, Georgia as a Boom Operator flying on KB-29P tankers. The squadron was disbanded, and he was then assigned to Dow A.F.B., Bangor, Maine. While in Maine he was sent to Randolph A.F.B., San Antonio, Texas for more training. There he met his future wife, Rose Isaacks. He returned back to Dow A.F.B. and asked to be reassigned to aircraft engine maintenance. Richard reenlisted for six more years and returned to San Antonio and married Rose. She had a daughter named Marcella. They all went back to Maine and soon had a son they named Richard Junior. Richard was due for an overseas assignment, so off he went for a year tour at Thule A.F.B., Greenland. The little family could not go there, so they returned to Texas. After his tour of duty was over, Richard was assigned to Otis A.F.B., Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The little family got together and stayed for a few years. Richard was discharged on March 10, 1964, and the family was together in San Antonio, Texas.

Richard went to work at Kelly A.F.B., San Antonio, Texas as a turbo-engine assembler. He retired from there after twenty years and started working with the Northside Independent School District as a Special Education Teacher Aide. He retired from teaching after eight years, and since the children were all grown up and had families of their own, Richard and wife Rose decided to move to New Braunfels as a place to grow old together. They arrived in New Braunfels in December 2002.

Richard was a member of First Baptist Church New Braunfels and also a member of the American Legion.