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Richard E. 'Dick' King Virginia Beach, VA QCWA # 36334 Chapter 119 |
From early boyhood, Richard knew he would work in electricity and electronics. He obtained his Amateur radio license in his early teens and later, his 1st class ticket and extra-class. He remained a "Ham" radio operator all of his life. He received the 70th Anniversary Award from the QCWA (Quarter Century Wireless Association), of which he was a past member). After graduating from Maury High School, he worked at radio station WTAR in the control room until he enlisted in the Air Force.
Richard joined the military as an enlisted man and his first assignment was Oklahoma where he worked in Communications.
His next assignment took him to Newfoundland and while there, he took a test to see if he could qualify for the AF Aviation Cadet program. He was accepted into the program and graduated number one in a class of eighty-six, and in 1953 was commissioned as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer. Because of his class standing, he was given a choice for his first assignment. He chose the 4713th Radar Evaluation Squadron, Rome, New York where for 4 years he flew B-29s and B-25s as an Electronic Warfare's Officer. He also was Air Craft Observer and Navigator. Four years elapsed and his next station was Stewart AFB in Newburg, N.Y. Where he worked in the Air Defense System. During this tour, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal.
After 2 half years, he was approved for and assigned to the University of Oklahoma where he obtained a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MA in Public Administration.
His last assignment was Omaha, NE where he spent his final 4 years working at the Strategic Air Command (SAC).
A few months after retirement, he went to work at UNISYS in Norfolk as a system analyst in support of the NAVY Combat Information Center and P-3C anti-submarine aircraft operational software where he spent 20 years and then retired.
He was a family man...other than his family, few people knew him. There was no end to his generosity. His ability to make good decisions was nothing short of amazing. His emotions never overcame his ability to "see through" things and to figure out the very best solutions. He was always the "calm in the storm" - a rock. He loved his family and was an avid fan of the NY Yankees and the Oklahoma Sooners football team. He was knowledgeable in electricity and electronics, liked astronomy, kept up with our space exploration and enjoyed country music.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey F. King and Margaret Mae Sears.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Audrey, daughter Linda Harmsen and her husband John, daughter Susan Cecconi and her husband Rick, granddaughter Dawn Austin and her husband, Thomas, two great- grandchildren, Amber and Stephanie, grandson Brentt Chavez and his wife Aleca, two great-grandchildren, Griffin and Effie; siblings, Dewey C. King, Margaret Mallard, Joyce Kriner, Shirley Simmons.
The viewing and visitation will be August 29, 6 to 8 P.M. At the Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, 1485 Kempsville Rd. in Virginia Beach, VA The graveside service will be August 30, ll:00 A.M. at the Albert G. Horton Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd. in Suffolk, Va. Condolences may be offered to the family at:
www.hollomon-brown.com
Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Aug. 24, 2022.