Mulder, R. Richard
Lt. Col R. Richard Mulder, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
March 14, 1939 — November 3, 2023
In Loving Memory of R. Richard “Dick” Mulder
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Lieutenant Colonel R. Richard “Dick” Mulder, loving husband, father, brother, and friend to many. He left this world peacefully at the impressive age of 84 and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Dick was a wonderful man who lived a rich and adventurous life. He was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and had the opportunity to travel and live in Hyderabad, India with his family during his high school years. He graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City, Class of 1957, and then University of Utah, Class of 1962, where he received his B.A. in Political Science. He loved the outdoors and worked as a Fire Ranger in Yellowstone Park and a ski instructor at Brighton Ski Resort during his summers and winters.
He had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. After ROTC and Flight Officers’ School he became a pilot who specialized in helicopters. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam. He retired after 22 years of service. He was also instrumental in establishing the USAF Helicopter Pilots association.
Dick met his amazing wife, Captain Kathleen “Kathy” Louise Fugiel, while stationed at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. They were married on February 4th, 1967, and embarked on a 56-year adventure together, which included raising two sons, Robert and Christopher. They loved to travel and spend time with their family and friends.
After retiring from the Air Force, he earned a B.S. degree from Weber State College in Logistics and worked in insurance sales. But his passion for the outdoors never faded. He returned to the mountains to teach skiing at Snowbasin Ski Resort and later Deer Valley Ski Resort until 2017. He made many lifelong friends at Snowbasin, Deer Valley, and the PSIA community.
Dick was preceded in death by his father William Mulder PhD, mother Gwen, and twin brother Tom. He is survived by his sister Barbara, his wife Kathy, oldest son Rob and his wife Andrea, younger son Chris and his wife Amy and her children Shae, Hutch, and Mason “The Toad”.
We are grateful for the compassionate care he received from the staff at George E Whalen Veterans’ Home and the Bristol Hospice team.
No services are planned at this time.
Care under the direction of Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Capt. Richard R. Mulder served a Vietnam War tour as a HH-3E helicopter pilot with the 37th ARRS in the 1967-1968-time frame.
Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned
©2023 USAF Rotorheads All Rights Reserved | Financial Statement