Richard David Kendel

Richard David Kendel, age 79, of Amelia Island, FL passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.

Richard was born in Glendale, CA on March 24, 1938. He was the son of the late Nelly Jones and Paul Kendel. After spending much of his childhood in Mexico City, he moved back to California and graduated from Van Nuys HS in 1956 and LA Valley College in 1960. He entered the Navy in 1961 as a Naval Aviation Cadet and served until 1966. He worked for American Airlines for 32 years achieving rank of “Captain”, he retired in 1998.

Richard served as a member of the “Fernandina Beach Airport Advisory Commission”; “Civil Air Patrol”; Member of the “Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)” and the “Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)”. He enjoyed working with the “Young Eagle” flights and especially loved helping people with the “Angel Flights” in his own Cessna 182; now called “Mercy Flights Southeast”

His proudest accomplishments were becoming a Naval Aviation Cadet; Naval Aviator and being a “Captain”. He flew for more than 40 years and many types of aircraft, proudly saying “without a single scratch or dent”.

Richard loved anything related to flying. Flying, being at the airport, airport museum, reading, aviation shows and movies. If it had wings on it, he would talk to you about for hours and was a great story teller. After each flight, he came home and would be “flying the dining room table” telling Anne what happened in detail. He flew his Cessna many times across the country, his last flight was solo in May, 2013. He stopped at every airport museum he could along the way. In total, he flew over 21,000 hours.

Richard always had a smile and story to share, he loved his family and friends dearly. Anne and Richard travelled extensively to many exotic places, including Delaware. He spent many days with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews supporting them in whatever they were doing at the time. Whether it was for graduations, sports, amusement parks, trips and much more he was there and Anne was always by his side.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Anne Kendel; His son, Paul Kendel; Daughter-in-love, Robin Kendel; grandchildren, Alex Kendel, Sean Kendel, Kendel Wallace and Sara Wallace; His brother, Michael Kendel and wife Liddi along with many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Michael’s Catholic Church 505 Broome St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 11 am. Burial will be at Chapel Hills Memory Gardens at 3:30 pm located at 850 St. Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Mercy Flights Southeast, Leesburg Airport 8864 Airport Blvd, Leesburg, FL 34788.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, 850 St. Johns Bluff Road N. Jacksonville, FL 32225.