Posted by Terry Powers on December 5, 2022:

Richard (Dick) Charles Henry, 94, of Williamsburg, VA passed away at his home with family by his side July 5, 2020. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and served his country in the US Air Force for over 35 years. Dick was born in LaSalle County in north central Illinois on Dec 17, 192 and grew up on a farm which gave him a strong work ethic. He attended a one room school house until he went to Streator High School. His work ethic and persistence served him well throughout his life and military career. While at the school house, three times a week the mail plane would fly over and their teacher would send the class outside to wave at the plane. One day, the plane turned and landed at the field across from the school house and everyone went to look. Dick was hooked! When his parents visited relatives in Colorado, where his uncle was an instructor pilot, he took Dick for his first open cockpit ride. The hook was set! Dick wanted a college education and knew that his family could not afford it and he really was not interested in farming. While bailing hay one summer his coworker, a friend home from college, suggested he go to West Point, "What is that?" he asked. "Get hold of your senator, he will tell you what to do" was the reply, and he did. He tested three times and passed with high marks every time but there was always someone in front of him. He then enlisted in the Army in 1944 and earned his PFC stripe. The Army found out about his urge to attend West Point and were impressed with his aptitude and strong ethics. When his company was shipped to Europe in 1944 he was held back and sent to West Point the following year. As a sub note, his company fought at the Battle of the Bulge and suffered 100% casualties. After graduating from the US Military Academy, he was one of the first classes to be able to go into the newly formed US Air Force. He married his beloved wife Cherry Barton on Dec 27th, 1949 and spent their honeymoon en route to Vance AFB for pilot training. So began Dick and Cherry Henrys adventurous life. Dick was able to have a very diverse career in the Air Force. Starting out in bombers, B-50s, he then went to University of Michigan to get his two masters degrees in aeronautical and instrumentation engineering. From there, Dick became involved in the expanding US space program. One of the greatest awards he received was "The Order of the Sword"" from the non-commissioned officers for his success in establishing affordable base housing in Los Angeles for SMSO NCOs. At the time, assignment to SMSO in Las Angles was considered extreme financial hardship for NCOs and lower ranked officers. Though Dick loved his work, he missed flying and wanted to be a fighter pilot. He became an F-4 pilot and served as vice commander of the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing Phu Cat Air base in Vietnam where he flew over 200 combat missions. After Vietnam and a few tours doing staff work, commander 33rd TAC, TAC IG, Air Force Budget Defense, Dick finished up his career as commander of SMSO in El Segundo Ca. As commander, Dick was instrumental in creating Space Command where he served as Vice commander until retirement. Dick began his military career in the newly formed US Air Force and he finished his career with the vision to help create Space Command a precursor to the US Space Force. Dick retired as a Lieutenant General on May 1st, 1983. Along with his devotion to the progress of the Air Force, Dick also loved tennis, sailing, and flying. He became an avid tennis player though he did not start to play until his 30s. In his retirement, he was very proud of building his own airplane and also being able to fly until he was 84 years old! Dick also had adventures sailing in California, Florida, and Virginia. Dick loved to travel with his wife Cherry making wonderful memories cruising with their friends, traveling to Israel, and bareboating in the Virgin Islands. When not traveling, Dick spent his free time visiting and playing with his grandchildren. He deeply loved his wife Cherry and was devoted to her and her to him for all of their 70 plus years together. He is preceded in death by his parents Mary and Harley Henry, his brother Robert Henry, and his granddaughter Melissa Henry. Dick is survived by his wife of 70 years Cherry Barton Henry; his sister Betty Calkins of Ottawa, Ill; his children Nan, Bart and his wife Becky and Pam and her husband Brent; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at Patriots Colony at a later date and then Dick will be interred at the US Air Force Academy. Arrangements by Bucktrout Funeral Home. Source: www.findagrave.com/memorial/213009242/richard-charles-henry

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