David Allan Richardson, USAF (Retired)
June 28, 1938 – November 04, 2024

David Allan Richardson was taken to Heaven on Nov. 4, 2024. Dave was born in Highland Park, California on June 28, 1938, to Carl and Phyllis Richardson.

He attended La Verne College in La Verne, California and joined the Air Force after graduation. Dave served his country for 24 years as a radar operator, a maintenance officer and finally, his dream job, as a helicopter pilot, serving a tour with the Jolly Green Giants in Vietnam, 1967 – 68 where he received the Silver Star for gallantry and devotion to duty in the aerial rescue of Streetcar 304.

He was an instructor pilot at Vance AFB and finished his military career as the Airfield Manager of Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA.

After his retirement in 1984, he served as a mathematics teacher in Moreno Valley, CA for 13 years. Dave is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kay, (Kaye) their four sons, David and his wife Stephanie of Cayucos, California, Craig and his wife Donna of Newton, KS, Eric of Barre, VT and Mark of Winthrop, ME, his granddaughters Bridgette and her husband Kevin of Aubrey, TX, Laura of Abilene, KS, Breanna of Sheffield, IL, his grandson Mark also of Sheffield, and his brother Ed and his wife Etsuko of Portland, OR.

A memorial to celebrate Dave’s life will be held at Emmanuel Church, 1300 N Vine St. Abilene, KS on December 6 at 11 a.m.

A brief message from Dave’s wife (Kaye): I want our family and friends to know that each evening from 6 to 7 p.m., using our Alexa Shows, when we couldn’t be together in person, we took turns praying for our family, friends and neighbors, that they would know Jesus in a personal way if they didn’t already. I would then read Psalm 91. After that, we would spend time sharing fun memories.

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As a Captain, David A. Richardson served in the Vietnam War as a HH-3E ‘Jolly Green’ pilot with the 37^th and 40^th ARRS in the 1967 – 1968 timeframe.