Colonel Richard S. Daum, Sr. (US Army, Retired)

Dick was born October 31, 1938, in Gooding, Idaho and grew up on the family farm near Twin Falls with his four brothers. Here Dick honed his well-known “fix-it” skills for all things mechanical as well as his deep knowledge and expertise growing and caring for all manner of crops, plants, flowers, and enviable lawns. It was during these years of hard work on the farm and tinkering with the tractors and machinery that he began to develop a curiosity about flying machines—an interest that would profoundly shape his life and God’s purpose for him in the decades to come. Never actually thinking about college, a family friend suggested Dick apply for the newly opened United States Air Force Academy. Funny as it seems now, although congressionally appointed to both schools, he ended up at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

He graduated from West Point in 1960 and following an initial tour in South Korea as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Dick became an Army Aviator who flew both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft throughout his 29-year career, including thousands of combat hours during multiple tours in Vietnam. Following company command in Vietnam, he served in numerous leadership and staff positions including Assistant Professor of Military Science at Appalachian State University, Aviation Officer for the 172d Infantry Brigade in Alaska, Force Readiness Officer for the Army Staff at the Pentagon, Operations Chief at the Alternate National Command Center the Joint Staff, and Command Aviation Officer for U.S. Army Material Command.

Dick’s numerous awards and decorations include three Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, 48 Air Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal, seven Vietnam Campaign Medals, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. His qualifications include the Master Aviator Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge. He retired from active duty in 1989.

While in flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama he met and married the love of his life, Mary, and they were blessed to share over 61 years together. Then after his second combat tour in Vietnam while stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and trying to make sense of all the devastation he experienced, he dedicated his life to Christ Jesus, his Savior, and set on a life-long path of humble, selfless service to follow Jesus and lead others to him. Through his personable and understanding outreach to others and through Bible studies from Appalachian State to Fort Richardson, Alaska, many were led to Christ. After retirement from the Army, Dick attended graduate school and became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He served military families in the Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base area for 21 years. His aim was to guide them in the truth of God’s Word and to be a person that God used to “stand in the gap” for them. He was loved by the families he served and respected by his professional colleagues.

Dick deeply loved his family and church, and continually served those around him with quiet humility, sage wisdom, and a subtle sense of humor. He also loved to work in the yard with Mary, fish and shoot with the boys, and was adamant about staying in top physical shape.

Dick is survived by his wife, Mary Carter (Geneva, AL), his sons COL Richard S. Daum, Jr., USA, Retired (Michele, Cary, NC), William Christopher Daum (Sharon, Cary NC), his grandchildren Matthew Daum (Courtney, Richmond, VA), Rachel Colston (Jack, Morrisville, NC), Audrey Daum (Boston, MA), CPT Richard S. Daum III (Hannah, Ft Polk, LA), Michael Daum (Kimberly, Arlington, VA), his great granddaughters Ellie and Nora Daum (Richmond), and Maya Colston (Morrisville, NC).

His Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on June 29, 2024, at The Shepherd’s Church, Cary, NC.

Dick will be honored at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wisdom International to support its prison ministry. www.Wisdomonline.org

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