Edward B. Richter

Edward Bailey Richter was born on July 1, 1930 in White Plains, NY to Dr. Herbert and Pauline Richter. While he dreamed of becoming a pilot, there was not yet an Air Force Academy. Instead, he pursued his dream by attending a navy prep school, Admiral Farragut Academy North in Pine Beach, NJ. From there he headed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, graduating in 1952 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later earned Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering from the United States Air Force Institute of Technology (1958) and in Business Administration from George Washington University (1964).

Immediately following his graduation from the Naval Academy he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was sent to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas, to begin pilot training. One evening in June of 1953 he met Dorthy Hurst, a school teacher from Wink, Texas. Knowing that once pilot training was over in August he would be re-assigned to another part of the country, he wasted no time. After a whirlwind courtship of a few short weeks, he made Dorthy his wife on July 24. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Ed flew Air Sea Rescue in the Philippines from 1954 - 1956. From 1969 – 1970, he flew Forward Air Control planes in Vietnam. During his years in the Air Force, he flew all over the world and brought back many mementos for his wife and two daughters. When not piloting planes, he worked in Research and Development at various military bases. He retired from the Air Force while stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

After retirement, Ed worked as a New York Life Insurance agent. He also spent several years coaching youth ice hockey at Hara Arena in Dayton, OH, and maintained contact with some of the boys he coached there through their college years and beyond. Coaching (and ice hockey) was one of his greatest passions and provided many of his fondest memories.

Ed is survived by his wife, Dottie, and two daughters; Mary (Brooklyn, NY) and Alta (Ottawa Hills), son-in-law Marc Thompson, and his two grandchildren Tyler (Clearwater, FL) and Tess (Ottawa Hills). Ed is also survived by his brother, Herbert (Albuquerque, NM) and sister-in-law Barbara as well as two nephews, David and Paul. He is also survived by long-time dear friends Tom and Ann Julian (Alexandria, VA), Bob and Teresa Zubeck (Dayton, OH), and Millicent and John Townsley (Xenia, OH).

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 753540, Topeka, KS 66675-8540 or the Toledo Area Humane Society, 1920 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee, OH 43537. There will be no services at this time. Burial will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.