Richard Howard Obituary

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.

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 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, was born in Orleans, France on March 10, 1956. A second daughter, Laura, was born at Offutt AFB, Nebraska in 1960.

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.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Julene on December 16, 2005, and his three siblings, Ruby Howard Hines (later Naison), Cleon Howard and Bernice Howard Foster. 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 his grandson and his wife David and Sunny Kapka 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. The family will receive visitors for a celebration of remembrance between 2 and 3:30 PM on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS.. 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.