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. Continue reading “Richard Howard”
