Richard Nolan Kilpatrick

He was the son of the late Edith Jewell Kilpatrick and John Robert Kilpatrick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his brothers, John Robert Kilpatrick, Jr., and David Kilpatrick. Surviving is his sister, Myra Phillips and her husband, Arthur.

Richard was a graduate of Carson-Newman College, having majored in history and political science. He did graduate study in foreign affairs at the University of Virginia and in Asian history, economics and politics at Columbia University.

He served in the U. S. Air Force for four years and entered the U. S. Foreign Service in 1958. While in the Foreign Service, he was assigned to the American Embassy in Tokyo, the Consulate General in Osaka, the Consulate in Medan, Indonesia, and the Embassy in Canberra, Australia. Interspersed with these assignments were assignments in the Department of State in Washington, D. C. in various offices in the East Asian Bureau, the last such assignment being as Officer in Charge of People’s Republic of China Affairs. His last assignment was as Counselor for Political Affairs at the U. S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia.

Richard retired from the Foreign Service in 1984 and returned to Greenville. In retirement Richard has been actively involved at Rocky Creek Baptist Church on Woodruff Road serving as Deacon, Sunday School Director, Choir Director and Sunday School Teacher. Also, he made two mission trips to Brazil.

In 2002 his Pastor invited Richard to join him on a trip to China. They spent two weeks in China traveling from Hong Kong in the south to Inner Mongolia in the north. While in Hong Kong, Richard was asked to consider returning to China to teach English. This resulted in his returning to China to teach English at the Agricultural University in Inner Mongolia for one year. He then returned home with the intention of going back to China “as often as possible for as long as possible.” He returned to China eight times.

Richard enjoyed reading, listening to good music, activities in his church and traveling.

Funeral service 3 pm Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Rocky Creek Baptist Church with visitation prior to the service beginning at 1:30 pm. Entombment in Remembrance Chapel at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rocky Creek Baptist Church, 1801 Woodruff Rd., Greenville, SC 29607.