Charles W. Richey Jr.

Charles W. “Chuck” Richey, Jr. of Annandale, Virginia passed away at the age of 83.

Chuck was born to Charles Walter and Alberta (Pierstorff) Richey in Celina, Ohio and grew up in nearby Van Wert. He was a student Van Wert High School where he excelled in academics and was a three-sport athlete in baseball, football and basketball. He attended Bowling Green State University where he graduated in 1958 with a BS in Education and as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the ROTC program. Soon after he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Trained as a B-52 navigator, Richey participated in air operations over Vietnam in 1966-67. In 1968 he was assigned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, where he was initially a B-52 instructor navigator, then a standardization evaluator and finally a Wing target study officer.

Upon graduation from the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama in 1971, Richey was assigned to Castle Air Force Base (Merced, California) as a B-52 combat crew training instructor and later the Chief of the Operations Plans Division for the 93rd Bombardment Wing. He also earned a master’s degree in education during this time from Chapman College.

In 1975, Richey became the USAF’s first-ever navigator to command a B-52 bombardment squadron, the 328th, at Castle Air Force Base.

He subsequently served as Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Plans at Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, then was appointed Chief of the Force Application Division with additional duty as Deputy Chief of the Force Application Branch of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff.

Later, upon graduation from the National War College, Richey was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, Strategic Operations Division, Operations Directorate. Soon after he assumed command of the 737th Training Group, Air Force Basic Military Training School at Lackland Air Force Base (San Antonio, Texas).

Richey assumed the role of U.S National Military Representative to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium from 1982-1985. In his final tour, Richey was the Politico-Military Affairs Officer, Department of State before retiring from the Air Force in 1988.

Richey’s military experience, combined with his strong people skills enabled him to transition to the civilian world where he used his talents as a defense contractor for many years while maintaining and cherishing the friendships born and strengthened over his many years of service in the Air Force.

Throughout his professional career, Chuck always made time for his family. He spent countless weekends as an official at his children’s swimming meets and shared his love of baseball with them by practicing batting and fielding drills at the nearby elementary school. He rarely missed a football or baseball game or a ballet recital, and every summer meant new adventures during family road trips across the country. He instilled the value of volunteerism with his children, who carry the same commitment to serving their communities to this day. From childhood throughout his life, he was a fan of baseball and enjoyed many years playing in the Northern Virginia Senior Softball league.

He cherished nothing greater however, than his wife, Judy (Mandy), whom he met at Bowling Green State University and with whom he shared nearly 60 years of marriage. Chuck and Judy were equally committed to their service to the military and to those with whom they served. They enjoyed traveling together, playing bridge, going to movies, hiking and driving community patrol in their neighborhood.

He is survived by his wife Judy; sons Steve (Diane) and Tim; daughter Vanessa Said (Jamal); grandchildren Casey Carpenter (Blake), Kendall, Charlie, Kaitlyn and Josh; great-grandchildren Blythe, Grace and Wynn; sister Janis (Richey) Wyandt; along with many nephews, nieces and their families.

If you are looking for ways to honor Chuck, please consider volunteering for an organization or event that is meaningful to you or donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Chuck will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.