Dick Arnold Cable

Colonel Dick A. Cable, United States Air Force (retired), passed away on April 4th, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in his passing by his beloved wife of 62 years, Barbara Ann. He was born in Denver in 1936. In his early years, he moved around the Denver area, eventually settling and graduating from Mount Air High School in 1954. After graduating, he attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. While at CU, he played on the Freshman and Sophomore Baseball teams and was active in student government. He graduated with two degrees, a BS in Business Management and a BS in Aeronautical Engineering.

After graduating from the University of Colorado, Dick joined the Air Force in August of 1960. He was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, where he had the honor of meeting the love of his life, Barbara Ann Sanford, a teacher in Cheyenne. The two of them eloped in 1964 when Dick was transferred to Troy, New York, to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While in Troy, his son Jonathan Sanford was born. He graduated with Honors from Rensselaer with a Master of Science in Management.

In 1965, Dick was assigned to Colorado Springs, where he earned his first Meritorious Service Medal for his work, which was “instrumental in establishing Space Defense Center Operations in the NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex… during this time, his expertise was a prime factor in the attainment of a prominent position in space operations for the Center.” Which is still in operation today. His daughter Jean Tiran and son Jeffrey Richard, were born during this time. After that, he was sent to the Pentagon, where he walked the halls of military power for several years.

While there, he earned his second Meritorious Service Medal this time via Executive Order from the President of the United States for his work on “The evaluation of Air Force and Navy strategic offensive systems. These techniques were of invaluable assistance in illuminating acceptable solutions to Air Force and National problems. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Cable reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”

During his next tour in Shymia, Alaska, he earned the Air Force Commemoration Medal for his” Highly motivational leadership, and technical innovation in the visionary initiatives taken with numerous external agencies to significantly upgrade the quality of sensor data produced during tracking of foreign space launch events. Colonel Cable’s exemplary actions have produced an outstanding record of successful accomplishments of a classified mission which impacts decision making at the highest levels of government.”

Next, he was sent to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where again he graduated with distinction. This was in 1976 during the Bicentennial Celebrations, which involved the gathering of the Tall Ships of the world, original sailing vessels from across the globe, which the family got to tour and sail alongside during the celebrations.

During his time at the Naval War College, the Navy presented him with a significant challenge. Given his background in space and missile technology, they needed to figure out how to target enemy ships beyond the horizon, which they had not been able to do up to that point. So, Dick, together with a group of other students, came up with a solution using satellite telemetry. Essentially, this was the first ship-to-ship missile targeting system.

And after his time at the Naval War College, he returned to Colorado Springs, where he received his favorite award. In 1978, he was named the Youth Soccer Coach of the Year for Colorado Springs while coaching his son Jon’s soccer team, the Firebirds. It was something in which he took tremendous pride; he was beloved by the team and the parents, and he was especially proud that throughout that entire season, no player received any disciplinary action. It was truly a testament to his leadership and the sportsmanship he encouraged and demonstrated throughout his life.

During this time, he also received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. “He was personally responsible for the development of key concepts in the Space Defense Program affecting force sizing, system design, and operational employment. These concepts were crucial to the formulation of an operationally oriented program to counter any hostile threat in space.”

His last command was at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. There, he saw the fruits of his long career realized with the creation of the PAVE PAWS Missile Early Warning Radar installation. This was responsible for the protection and defense of the entire East Coast of the United States in the 1980s and still today. And after completing his command at Otis Air Force Base, he retired from the Air Force as a Colonel.

When he retired, he moved to Denver and settled in the Columbine area, where he worked for Martin Marietta. He retired from Martin Marietta in 1990 and spent the rest of his days playing bridge with his beloved wife, Barbara, with whom he attained the title of Life Master. He loved attending his children's and grandchildren’s sporting and school activities. In the early 1980’s, he met his automotive partner in crime in Charlie Parker, a retired airline mechanic and automotive enthusiast, and his wife Charlotte, who soon became a part of the family. Together, they spent years restoring a 1929 Model A Ford Roadster pickup and his award-winning 1934 Ford Cabriolet, which was judged 98 out of 100 points, making it almost a new car. He was a member of the Early Ford V-8 Club. They restored dozens of 1965 - 1966 Model Mustangs to finance their automotive habits.

Additionally, he loved to sing and had a beautiful baritone voice. He was deeply involved in the Denver MountainAires Barbershoppers community, and during his time at Columbine United Church, his beautiful harmonies were present in the choir.

Dick had a truly adventurous spirit, he’d go anywhere, anytime and come back with a friend. He had a remarkable ability to organize anything and anybody and get them all working in the same direction. He made sure everyone was included and a part of whatever the group was doing. It didn’t matter if was with his antique autos, his singing, or any of the sports teams he loved to play on or coach he would naturally take the lead and everyone would have a great time. He was a remarkably accomplished man, but how you were doing was much more important to him than any of his medals. He derived his happiness from making other people better and happier. He will be missed tremendously.

He is survived by his children and their spouses —Jonathan and Kim Cable, Jeannie and Steve Kiel, and Jeffrey and Melissa Cable —and by his six grandchildren—Jessica, Zachary, Julia (Kellen),

Jacob, Stephanie, and Katie, all of Littleton, Colorado. Sisters Mary (Randy) Miller and Judith (Ed) Weir. Brother-in-Law, Jack Sanford, in-laws Tom and Donna Berg, Steve and Debbie Berg, and Elaine Berg Cornett and Zane Cornett. In addition to these wonderful people, he had a multitude of adored nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country. No matter where we were, there was always room for one or more of them at the house. Whenever any of them called his first question was, “What can we do to help?” And, he meant it. He was always there for his family and enjoyed spending time with them, be it for Thanksgiving in Colorado Springs, the Summers in Washington DC or Cape Cod, or in the Orchards of Palisade, enjoying Red’s otherworldly peaches. He was happiest surrounded by family, especially in Western Wyoming with his Riverton folks or roaming a golf course with his golfing buddy Tony, those memories will be cherished forever.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Roberta and Arnold; siblings Jack Cable, Lois (Red) Bosch, and Carol (Glenn) Haley; in-laws Valera and Eugene Sanford; Kayla Ann Sanford; and Lloyd and Loren Berg, as well as his dear friends Charles and Charlotte Parker.

The funeral service, officiated by Rev. Samantha Bronson, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2026 at Columbine United Church, 6375 S. Platte Canyon Rd., Littleton CO 80123. His final resting place will beside his wife at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Condolences may be offered at www.crownhillfuneral.com.