Richard E. Park, Lt. Col. (Retired), of Peabody and formerly Gloucester, who served his country during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corp and the United States Air Force, died on February 2, 2012 at Brooksby Village in Peabody. He was 92.
While on active duty, he flew a combat tour in WWII in the China Burma India (CBI) Theater of operations over the Himalayas (the Hump) and a combat tour in Vietnam. During his career, he accumulated about 1500 combat hours and 5700 total flying hours. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and numerous others, including some from foreign countries. He was a past President and also Chairman of the Board of the CBI Hump Pilots Association, and also a member of the Order of Daedalians, a fraternal organization of military pilots.
After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1975, after 27 years of service, he and his wife, Virginia, lived in Gloucester for thirty years, where he worked at Gloucester Engineering and Flex-Key Corporation, before moving to Brooksby Village in Peabody in September 2004.
Beloved husband, and the rock upon which our family is founded, he is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia E. Park, of Peabody; his daughter, Maureen Park of Charlotte, NC; his son, Richard Park, Jr. of Herndon, VA; his daughters-in-law, Patricia Park of Fairfax, VA and Patricia Cole of Virginia Beach, VA; his five grandchildren, Karyn Staley of Charlotte, NC, Richard Park III of Arlington, VA, Christopher Park of Virginia Beach, VA, Jessica Park of San Diego, CA and William E. Park, Jr., USMC, of Quantico, VA; and his great-grandson, Robert Park of Reston, VA.
He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Park, in 1962, and his son, William E. Park, in April 2010.
ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral service will be held in the Brooksby Village Chapel, Peabody on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Brooksby Village Benevolent Fund, at Brooksby Village in Peabody, or to Beacon Hospice in Haverhill. Arrangements are by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester. Online condolences may be given at www.greelyfuneralhome.com.
