Richard Francis Halderman

A devoted family man through and through, Dick is survived by his four children, Lynn (“Lynnie”), Kim (“Kimmy”), Tom (“Thomas”), and Suzanne (“Annie”), along with their spouses; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilynn; his parents, Alice and Robert Halderman of Newport Beach; and his younger brother, John ("Johnny").

Dick grew up among the early generations and movie stars in Brentwood and on Balboa Island, beginning his lifelong work ethic as a young paperboy. He attended University High School in Los Angeles, graduating with the Class of 1952, before heading to the University of Southern California (USC), where he earned a degree in business, was a member of the Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) fraternity, and participated in the ROTC program.

Upon earning his business degree, Dick entered the Navy during the 1950s. His service led him to the South Pacific as second-in-command on a fuel freighter, the Natchaug, during the H-bomb testing era—an adventure during which he famously found giant clam shells. While in the Navy, Dick and a few buddies also enjoyed the surreal pleasure of spending several days with Ernest Hemingway in Cuba and at his estate.

Following his military service and his marriage to Marilynn, Dick became a stock broker at Dean Witter. Not long after starting at Dean Witter, he embarked on a long, distinguished career in the Aerospace industry. He first joined the marketing department of Autonetics, a division of North American Aviation located in Anaheim, CA. But his proudest professional achievement was his 26 years of working on the B-2 stealth bomber project, where he remained until his retirement in the 1990s.

Outside of work, Dick lived life with boundless curiosity and faith. He was a true botanist at heart, cultivating rare and immense succulents and cacti so impressive that high-end collectors would arrive with tractors to excavate them when he could no longer care for them himself. He possessed a natural understanding of weather patterns and enjoyed storm chasing, truly a meteorologist at heart. As a proud USC alumnus, Dick was also a faithful Trojans’ football fan, cheering them through good years and bad across generations of Heisman winners and charismatic coaches, from John McKay to Pete Carroll.

Dick was equally renowned for his corny wit and love for classic comedy—especially the Three Stooges, Mel Brooks, and Mr. Bean—as well as his fondness for old TCM film noir, classic TV and movie westerns (where he could watch friends from high school perform), and intrigue and affection for sci-fi TV shows and movies.

Having lived an extraordinary life defined by his Christian faith; his wit and humor; and devotion to his family, Dick is surely enjoying his reunion with his family and Lord in Heaven. As Chuck Smith, his favorite pastor, would close his sermons with Numbers 6:24–26:

"The Lord bless thee and keep thee;

The Lord make His face shine upon thee;

And be gracious unto thee; ( And be gracious unto thee; )

The Lord lift up, His countenance, upon thee and give thee peace."

We will see you again, our father and our friend—and what a grand reunion it will be.