
Richard Howard, proud Air Force veteran, died peacefully on December 17, 2023, surrounded by his daughters, Laura and Larraine and his grandson David at Neuvant House in Lawrence, Kansas. He was Born December 18, 1929, of Frank Ellsworth Howard and Grace Parshley Howard in the Frisbee Memorial hospital in Rochester, New Hampshire. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Julene and his three siblings, Ruby Howard Hines (later Naison), Cleon Howard and Bernice Howard Foster.
Richard graduated from Spaulding HS in Rochester, NH in 1948 and joined the Air Force, completing basic training at Lackland AFB in March 1948. He completed aircraft maintenance tech school at Chanute AFB, Illinois in July of 1949 and went to his first duty station, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. His first aircraft assigned was a B-29, followed by C-97’s after training at Kelly AFB in 1950. He met Julene Jensen and was married on December 6, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska. Richard participated in Operation Castle in March 1954 (nuclear bomb tests in the Marshall Islands). He was ordered to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, in the fall of 1954 to work on C-119s. The unit moved to Dreux, France in 1955. A first daughter, Larraine born in Orleans, France on March 10, 1956.
Richard returned to Offutt AFB in 1957 assigned to a T-29, transferring to work on the KC-135 when it arrived in January 1959. He became a part of the CinC-SAC’s crew under General Thomas Powers. His second daughter, Laura, was born on September 13, 1960. He continued under General John D. Ryan from December 1964 to January 1967. He served briefly under General Joseph Nazzaro before going to Hickman AFB Hawaii in April 1967 to serve General Ryan while he was the PACAF commander. He inherited a second AF KC-135 to be used to transport Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., Commander in Chief, Pacific Command. Richard then followed General Ryan to Andrews AFB, Maryland in June 1969 when Ryan was elevated to Chief of Staff of the Air Force. General George Brown replaced General Ryan in 1973 and was elevated to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 1974. He continued to use the aircraft. General David Jones succeeded General Brown in both posts, becoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 1978. The last General he served was General Lou Allen, who became AF Chief of Staff in July 1978.
After 30 years and 1 day, Richard retired as a CMSgt on November 30, 1978. During his 30-year career, he traveled all over the world. Notable experiences included going into Indonesia after General Sukarno was deposed and into Iran during the reign of the Shah. He traveled to all continents except Antarctica. After working for the base housing contractor (Kennack) at Andrews AFB for a year, he went to Wichita, Kansas in January 1980 to work for Boeing Fleet Support. He was an engineering technician who supported activities at the Air Force’s Oklahoma City military aircraft depot. He spent much of his Boeing career continuing to work with the KC-135. He took a retirement buy-out in 1995.
His wife of 53 years (Julene) died on December 16, 2005. After 3 more years in Wichita, he settled at the Brandon Woods retirement community in Lawrence, Kansas, home of his daughter Laura. Over the next 14 years, he was the chair of the community’s maintenance committee and the resident’s council and was often referred to as the “Mayor” of Brandon Woods. He is survived by his daughter Laura Howard of Lawrence, KS; daughter and son-in-law Larraine and Gary Kapka of Miamisburg, OH; his grandson David Kapka and his wife Sunny and their children Teagan, Bennett, and Bowen of Springboro, OH; his niece and her husband Donna and David Allen of Rye, NH; his nephew and his wife James and Paula Howard of Middleton, NH; and special friend April Dwyer of Lawrence, KS. Thanks to beloved caregiver Tammy Negrete, his many friends and the staff at Brandon Woods retirement community, and the caring staff of Neuvant House. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. A local memorial visitation will be held at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 2-3:30 PM. The family requests any contributions be made to the Richard Howard Scholarship fund with the Air Force Sergeants Association in the care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS. 66044-8260.
Our sincere Sympathy to the Howard Family. Martha and I
were Town Home Residents and good friends of Richard we
served on different committees together. He missed his 94th
Birthday one day. We would meet together in the Bar on Fridays with Town Home Residents and then have Dinner Together. I am kOREAN War Veteran.
I think Gary Fleegal said it all. Dick Howard was everything a good Chief is supposed to be. I missed serving with him by a few months but got to know him through the reunions and his legacy was apparent for many years in hanger 5 after his retirement. God bless you, Chief.
I met Chief Howard around 1973. I came to the trout as the lowest ranking member there, still “wet behind my ears,” etc. Chief Howard made it a point to include me, this young guy, in what ever instance that would bring me into their team surrounding. to make me feel a member of our team. Chief knew how to get things done, knew that people could get us there, and his personality was an instrument in getting it started. He never floated his rank or acted that he was some NCO God either. He made me feel wanted, he made me a better person from watching how he handled people and situations. He was a cool guy even though our ages were so far apart. On my first flight with the crew, Chief Howard made sure I was always taken care of, when in fact he could have just ignored me. I loved his honestly, his joking ways, and the way he handled himself at all times. I thought there were times when he would take my side on a problem, and backing me on getting it accomplished. I served with him about 8 years, and in those years he helped me to become a better Airman and person. My biggest regret was not staying in touch, he was for sure the one person I admired the most while I was there at Project Trout. I have never forgotten him, I went my way back in 1980, and have always relived those special moments when I needed to. I was lucky to have know him, never forgot him, and to this day have a place in my heart as a good solid friend. We will all miss him. They don’t make Chief Howard’s all that much, and with the ones that were here, well; you were in the presence of greatness, and only afterwards did you come to realize that. I did, rest in peace Chief, forever grateful to you being my friend.
My father, John Mizell, served with your dad and they visited each other several times after their retirements. My dad was very fond of Dick and I know they were very proud of the Speckled Trout unit. My condolences to you and the entire family.
Ken Mizell
I work for Richard from 1966 til 1977 in the Air Force ..Great boss always had time to talk and made one fell like you were part of something very important. He will be missed
Richard was my breakfast table mate with a number of veterans. I encouraged him to record his experiences–especially during the President Truman desegregation Executive Order 9981 period at the time he had just arrived in Texas by rail from New Hampshire for basic training in San Antonio. The table had a good time until COVID changed the dynamics and guys moved on. I will always remember my good times at the “Men’s Table” at Brandon Woods.
Richard was my neighbor behind my townhome and a faithful worker for the Employee Recognition Fund at Brandon Woods. He cared for and visited many residents over the years becoming their friend. His life story is astounding—he certainly had a life well lived. He was very proud of his daughters and family. Sympathy to all of you.