Posted by Bob Yaap on June 20, 2026:

I first met Dick on July 2, 1965 the second day of Beast Barracks. We were in the same platoon and company for Beast. We sat next to each other at a presentation in South Aud on day 2 and found out we had a lot in common. He had a group of 7 friends from high school that called themselves the Magnificent 7 (from a popular Western movie). I had a group of 8 high school friends and we called ourselves the Magnificent 8. He even had a sweatshirt w/ Mag 7 emblazoned on it (when we graduated he gave me the sweatshirt. Years later I returned it to him). We ended up in B2 together when the academic year started and were fast friends all four years. His dad, Col James Jarman flew us and many other cadets home for Christmas leave in 1965 and at the end of plebe year. Dick drove down from KC to my home in Tulsa both plebe and Yearling year Christmas'. One of those visits, we rented a '67 Dodge Charger together. We were on cloud 9. We couldn't believe they would rent a Charger to the 2 of us. The summer of 1967 Dick and I caught an Air Force hop from Westover AFB to Madrid, Spain and then onto Majorca for 2 weeks of our summer leave. We went to AOT together at Fort Hood in 1967 where we bought a 1957 VW so we would have transportation during our stay. We roomed together all of Cow year and hung out together on weekends and off time. He called me Robe...I called him Jar. Firstie year Dick was on Brigade staff, so he was not living w/ his B2 brothers. However, we spent a lot of time together in our off time. We both bought Oldsmobiles as Firsties (Dick was smart enough to order a 442, while I decided to save $150 and just get a Cutlass.). Dick was groomsman at my wedding in 1969. Dick was commissioned in the Air Force so our paths didn't cross for about 5 years. While passing through Kansas City in 1975, I remembered Dick had just left the Air Force and was working for Butler Mfg in KC as an engineer. We connected, I stayed 2 days w/ Dick and Jane, he introduced me to the people at Butler and 3 months later I was working next to Dick as an engineer at Butler. (When he picked me up at the airport he was driving a 2 door,'73 Olds Delta 88, brown w/ a tan vinyl top. I told him that I was driving the exact same car only it had 4 doors. What are the odds of that?) I am forever indebted to Dick for helping me get that job at Butler. Dick had several important positions with Butler over a 30 year career, culminating as President of Butler's largest division. Dick has always been a winner. In everything he has done. He is the most conscientious person I have ever met. He works harder and longer than anyone. He is also the most level headed person I know....never out of control, never angry, caring for all whom he is associated with and a true family man. As VP of the Class of '69 he was always involved in class events and projects. He had so many friends from the class and they all held him in the utmost esteem. Although Dick has passed, the memories of the last 61 years will live forever. Rest in peace, old friend! See you on the other side! Robe

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