Richard C. Reese

Richard Charles Reese, 80, died peacefully at his McGowan residence on April 15, 2015. The son of Richard and Ruth (Turner) Reese, he was born in Tacoma on May 15, 1934. Richard joined the United States Air Force following graduation from Lincoln High School in Tacoma with the class of 1952. Upon completion of Cadet Training he became a pilot. Richard served in the Air Force for the ensuing 22 years. His favorite aircraft were the Voodoo 101 and Phantom F4. He was a decorated veteran of two tours of duty in Viet Nam with the Tactical Reconnaissance Unit. He was later stationed at various bases around the world, later returning stateside to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona until he retired in June of 1973 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Following his military duty Richard was employed at a pilot for the Environmental Protection Agency in Tucson, collecting air quality samples nationwide. Later he worked for the Pima County Health Department in air quality. Richard has often visited the Peninsula in past years and enjoyed fishing from Ilwaco. Settling in Klipsan Beach he became a part-time school bus driver for Ocean Beach Schools where he enjoyed the interaction with the students. While with the school district me met Jane Garvin Snyder and they married in 2004, settling in McGowan. Besides salmon fishing, Richard was an avid motorcyclist and he and Jane enjoyed many trips and cruises. Richard often visited life long buddies (old high school and Air Force), enjoyed reading and was an "Elvis" fan. He was proud of having set foot on all 7 continents and was a true "people person" who enjoyed interaction with folks of all walks in life. Besides his wife of 11 years, Richard is survived by his step-daughter Sarah Snyder(Keith Gollwitzer); his first wife Sonja Reese, the mother of his daughters Carole Reese, Michelle Lorenzini, Danielle Reese(Jon), grandchildren Andrew MacDonald, Anthony and Stephanie Lorenzini, step-grandchildren Miranda and Jarod Gollwitzer, sister Dorothy Lou Mays (Harry), nephews George and Grant, and great nephews and nieces. Funeral service with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 11:00 AM at Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington, Washington. Memorials are requested to the Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Rd., Tucson, Arizona 85756 (website www.pimaair.org) or the local organization of one's choice. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com..