Individual Details
Richard Arnold Kirkpatrick
(1 May 1952 - 6 Mar 2005)
Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Page 16, Cols. 4 & 5: Richard Arnold Kirkpatrick, age 52, retired colonel and fighter pilot in the U. S. Air Force having served 27 years, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 6, 2005, surrounded by the family he loved, after a remarkable battle with lung cancer at his home in Niceville, Fla.
He was born on May 1, 1952, in Pigeon, Mich. He was second in a loving family of five, led under the support and guidance of Robert and Frances Kirkpatrick. Richard was a faithful and loving husband for 30 years to his wife, Bernice, who he wed on Dec. 28, 1974, in Saint Clair Shores, Mich.
Richard was accepted into the U. S. Fair Force Academy and graduated in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. he then went on to fighter pilot training and after completion continued his flying career as an instructor pilot in the T-38. He often recalled fond moments flying in F-15s and the camaraderie he built with his fellow pilots. Richard continued his education and received his master's degree in business administration. His career was filled with success and awards, including the Legion of Merit. He retired as a colonel in February 2002, after completing his military career after 27 years of service.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Richard worked an engineer for Sverdrup until his diagnosis of cancer in April 2004.
Richard was a loving husband and father. He was a role model to his sons and others as to how husbands should love and cherish their wives. He further showed how a father could be compassionate and nurturing in the care and support of his children and grandchildren. Richard loved his wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandbabies with all his heart.
Richard was a friend to many through his community involvement at church, the Knights of Columbus, coaching, and golf. Richard enjoyed the many afternoons he spent with friends on the golf course and playing with his grandchildren.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Bernice, sons, Kevin and Robert; daughters-in-law, Cheri and Karen; grandchildren. Drew, Alexis and Wyatt; parents, Robert and Frances; brother, David; and sister, Leslie Reynolds, Kerry Linder and Julie Gueye.
The family will received friends and family on Wednesday, march 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home in Niceville. A funeral Mass will be conducted at Holy name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 10. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery.
For those interested, please send all charitable contributions in honor of Richard Kirkpatrick to Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church Building Fund, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd., PO Box 1475, Niceville, FL 32588-1475. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
KIRKPATRICK, RICHARD A
COL US AIR FORCE
PERSIAN GULF
DATE OF BIRTH: 05/01/1952 - DATE OF DEATH: 03/06/2005
BURIED AT: HERITAGE GARDENS, 2201 NORTH PARTIN DRIVE NICEVILLE, FL 32578.
He was born on May 1, 1952, in Pigeon, Mich. He was second in a loving family of five, led under the support and guidance of Robert and Frances Kirkpatrick. Richard was a faithful and loving husband for 30 years to his wife, Bernice, who he wed on Dec. 28, 1974, in Saint Clair Shores, Mich.
Richard was accepted into the U. S. Fair Force Academy and graduated in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. he then went on to fighter pilot training and after completion continued his flying career as an instructor pilot in the T-38. He often recalled fond moments flying in F-15s and the camaraderie he built with his fellow pilots. Richard continued his education and received his master's degree in business administration. His career was filled with success and awards, including the Legion of Merit. He retired as a colonel in February 2002, after completing his military career after 27 years of service.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Richard worked an engineer for Sverdrup until his diagnosis of cancer in April 2004.
Richard was a loving husband and father. He was a role model to his sons and others as to how husbands should love and cherish their wives. He further showed how a father could be compassionate and nurturing in the care and support of his children and grandchildren. Richard loved his wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandbabies with all his heart.
Richard was a friend to many through his community involvement at church, the Knights of Columbus, coaching, and golf. Richard enjoyed the many afternoons he spent with friends on the golf course and playing with his grandchildren.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Bernice, sons, Kevin and Robert; daughters-in-law, Cheri and Karen; grandchildren. Drew, Alexis and Wyatt; parents, Robert and Frances; brother, David; and sister, Leslie Reynolds, Kerry Linder and Julie Gueye.
The family will received friends and family on Wednesday, march 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home in Niceville. A funeral Mass will be conducted at Holy name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 10. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery.
For those interested, please send all charitable contributions in honor of Richard Kirkpatrick to Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church Building Fund, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd., PO Box 1475, Niceville, FL 32588-1475. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
KIRKPATRICK, RICHARD A
COL US AIR FORCE
PERSIAN GULF
DATE OF BIRTH: 05/01/1952 - DATE OF DEATH: 03/06/2005
BURIED AT: HERITAGE GARDENS, 2201 NORTH PARTIN DRIVE NICEVILLE, FL 32578.
Events
| Birth | 1 May 1952 | Pigeon, Huron Co., Michigan |  | ||
| Marriage | 28 Dec 1974 | St Clair Shores, Macomb Co., Michigan - Bernice Beth Meersseman | | ||
| Death | 6 Mar 2005 | Niceville, Okaloosa Co., Florida | | ||
| Burial | Heritage Gardens, Niceville, Okaloosa Co., Florida | |
Families
| Spouse | Bernice Beth Meersseman (1952 - ) |
| Child | Kevin Richard Kirkpatrick (1976 - ) |
| Child | Robert George Kirkpatrick (1981 - ) |
| Father | Robert Leslie Kirkpatrick (1926 - 2009) |
| Mother | Frances Rose Arnold (1926 - 2009) |
| Sibling | David Robert Kirkpatrick (1950 - ) |
| Sibling | Leslie Ann Kirkpatrick (1953 - ) |
| Sibling | Kerry Jane Kirkpatrick (1957 - ) |
| Sibling | Julie Francine Kirkpatrick (1959 - ) |
Endnotes
1. Obituary of Richard Arnold Kirkpatrick, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Page 16, Cols. 4 & 5.
2. Obituary of Richard Arnold Kirkpatrick, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Page 16, Cols. 4 & 5.
3. Eaton Rapids Community News, Obituary of Robert "Bob" L. Kirkpatrick (n.p: 15 February 2009, n.d).
4. Obituary of Richard Arnold Kirkpatrick, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Page 16, Cols. 4 & 5.
5. Nationwide Gravesite Locator, United State Department of Veterans Affairs.
6. Obituary of Richard Arnold Kirkpatrick, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Page 16, Cols. 4 & 5.