Richard W. Arnold

 

Preferred Name: Dick

Nickname/Call Sign: Mighty Mite

Date of Birth: August 10, 1940 (October 8, 2013)

Highest Military Grade Held: Lieutenant Colonel

Hometown: Pulaski, NY

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Biography

Dick was born on August 10, 1940, in Pulaski, New York. After graduating from high school, he attended Purdue University and entered the United States Air Force as an Airman Basic. During his Air Force career, Dick received his navigator’s wings as a commissioned officer, completed pilot training, and received his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the State University of New York, master’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle University, and master’s degree in political science from Auburn University. Dick had a distinguished 26-year career with the United States Air Force as a pilot, flight instructor, and educator. After retiring from the Air Force, Dick and his family moved to Bryan, TX, where he served as the Associate Director of Aviation for Easterwood Airport and later as an instructor at Blinn College. He received many Air Force awards during his career including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Dick was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bryan and served as a Deacon and an Elder. He was also involved with the AOPA, serving as the liaison for Coulter Field, and was active in Civil Air Patrol. He followed his life-long passion for aviation and flew his beloved Bonanza at every opportunity. Dick was also a life member of the American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He also had a love for hunting, shooting, and bowling.

Units Assigned

  • 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron/27th Tactical Fighter Wing (RTU)
  • 531 Tactical Fighter Squadrno/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing “Ramrods” Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam

Awards & Decorations

 Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Info

F-100

Military Education

Civilian Education

  • Purdue University
  • BA,  State University of New York
  • MS/Aviation Management, Embry-Riddle University
  • MS/Political Science, Auburn University

Lt. Col. Richard William Arnold, Sr. (USAF-Ret.) – Headed West October 8, 2013

Dick was born on August 10, 1940, to E. Ray and Betty Arnold in Pulaski, New York. After graduating from high school, he attended Purdue University and entered the United States Air Force as an Airman Basic. During his Air Force career, Dick received his navigator’s wings as a commissioned officer, completed pilot training, and received his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the State University of New York, master’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle University, and master’s degree in political science from Auburn University. Dick had a distinguished 26-year career with the United States Air Force as a pilot, flight instructor, and educator. After retiring from the Air Force, Dick and his family moved to Bryan, TX, where he served as the Associate Director of Aviation for Easterwood Airport and later as an instructor at Blinn College. He received many Air Force awards during his career including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Dick was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bryan and served as a Deacon and an Elder. He was also involved with the AOPA, serving as the liaison for Coulter Field, and was active in Civil Air Patrol. He followed his life-long passion for aviation and flew his beloved Bonanza at every opportunity. Dick was also a life member of the American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He also had a love for hunting, shooting, and bowling.

Dick leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Mary; son, Richard and daughter Katherine, 5 grandchildren, and numerous extended family and beloved friends.

Biography

Biography

Dick was born on August 10, 1940, in Pulaski, New York. After graduating from high school, he attended Purdue University and entered the United States Air Force as an Airman Basic. During his Air Force career, Dick received his navigator’s wings as a commissioned officer, completed pilot training, and received his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the State University of New York, master’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle University, and master’s degree in political science from Auburn University. Dick had a distinguished 26-year career with the United States Air Force as a pilot, flight instructor, and educator. After retiring from the Air Force, Dick and his family moved to Bryan, TX, where he served as the Associate Director of Aviation for Easterwood Airport and later as an instructor at Blinn College. He received many Air Force awards during his career including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Dick was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bryan and served as a Deacon and an Elder. He was also involved with the AOPA, serving as the liaison for Coulter Field, and was active in Civil Air Patrol. He followed his life-long passion for aviation and flew his beloved Bonanza at every opportunity. Dick was also a life member of the American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He also had a love for hunting, shooting, and bowling.

Units - Education - Awards - Flight Info

Units Assigned

  • 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron/27th Tactical Fighter Wing (RTU)
  • 531 Tactical Fighter Squadrno/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing “Ramrods” Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam

Awards & Decorations

 Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Info

F-100

Military Education

Civilian Education

  • Purdue University
  • BA,  State University of New York
  • MS/Aviation Management, Embry-Riddle University
  • MS/Political Science, Auburn University
Photos
Headed West

Lt. Col. Richard William Arnold, Sr. (USAF-Ret.) – Headed West October 8, 2013

Dick was born on August 10, 1940, to E. Ray and Betty Arnold in Pulaski, New York. After graduating from high school, he attended Purdue University and entered the United States Air Force as an Airman Basic. During his Air Force career, Dick received his navigator’s wings as a commissioned officer, completed pilot training, and received his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the State University of New York, master’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle University, and master’s degree in political science from Auburn University. Dick had a distinguished 26-year career with the United States Air Force as a pilot, flight instructor, and educator. After retiring from the Air Force, Dick and his family moved to Bryan, TX, where he served as the Associate Director of Aviation for Easterwood Airport and later as an instructor at Blinn College. He received many Air Force awards during his career including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Dick was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bryan and served as a Deacon and an Elder. He was also involved with the AOPA, serving as the liaison for Coulter Field, and was active in Civil Air Patrol. He followed his life-long passion for aviation and flew his beloved Bonanza at every opportunity. Dick was also a life member of the American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He also had a love for hunting, shooting, and bowling.

Dick leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Mary; son, Richard and daughter Katherine, 5 grandchildren, and numerous extended family and beloved friends.