Richard MacRae Atchison (1940 - 2021)

Born 19 Aug 1940 in Northville, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Died 4 Aug 2021 at age 80 in United States

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Biography

Richard was born August 19, 1940^[1] in Northville, Wayne, Michigan, United States. His parents were Russell Atchison and Ruth (Unknown) Atchison.^[2]

In 1950, Richard (age 9) lived in Northville, Wayne, Michigan, United States with his father Russell (age 39), mother Ruth (age 35), and siblings Russel (age 8), Rhonda (age 4), and Roxanne (age 1). Joyce M Wirgan (age 18), a ward of Richard's parents, also lived with the family. Richard's father was a medical doctor in private practice.^[3]

After graduating from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri, United States in 1958, Richard joined the Air Force’s Aviation Cadet Program in 1961 and was later commissioned in the Air Force, where he served as an Electronic Warfare Officer. During his career, Richard flew B-52 Crome-Dome missions, OV-10 Broncos (Pave Nail) in Vietnam, and F-4G Wild Weasel missions in Europe. While in the Air Force, Richard earned a BS in Management from Troy State University. He retired as a Colonel.^[2]

Richard married Barbara Anders in June 1964 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, United States and they had four children, in addition to parenting over fifty foster children.^[2]

After retirement, Richard lived in Virginia, United States, where he actively contributed to Wounded Warrior programs at Fort Belvoir.^[2]

Richard died August 4, 2021. His memorial service was held at Fort Belvoir August 13, 2021.^[2] Richard was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, United States.^[1]

Medals and Awards

• Legions of Merit (2 times)
• Distinguished Flying Crosses (3 times)
• Bronze Star
• Air Medals (13 times)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Burial
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Obituary
3. ↑ 1950 Census

• 1950 Census: "United States 1950 Census", database, FamilySearch (ark:/61903/1:1:6FS2-Q6YX : Sun Jan 29 19:15:20 UTC 2023), Entry for Roxanne M Atchison and Joyce M Wirgan, 27 April 1950., see image, includes:

Name Richard M Atchison

Sex Male

Age 9 years

Birth Year (Estimated) 1941

Birthplace Michigan

Marital Status Single

Race White

Relationship to Head of Household Son

Event Date 27 April 1950

Event Place Northville, Northville, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Event Place (Original) Northville, Wayne, Michigan

Enumeration District 82-287

Line Number 28

Page Number 72

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace

Russell M Atchison Head M 39 years Michigan medical doctor, private practice

Ruth M Atchison Wife F 35 years Michigan

Richard M Atchison Son M 9 years Michigan

Russell M Atchison Son M 8 years Michigan

Roxanne M Atchison Daughter F 1 years Michigan

Rhonda M Atchison Daughter F 4 years Michigan

Joyce M Wirgan Ward F 18 years Michigan

• Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/230619416/richard-macrae-atchison: accessed 26 May 2023), memorial page for Richard MacRae Atchison (19 Aug 1940–4 Aug 2021), Find a Grave Memorial ID 230619416, citing Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Carolyn Selby (contributor 47037989), includes:

Richard MacRae Atchison

BIRTH 19 Aug 1940 Northville, Wayne County, Michigan, USA

DEATH 4 Aug 2021 (aged 80)

BURIAL Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

MEMORIAL ID 230619416

Parents: Dr. Russell and Ruth Mary Atchison.

2 Legions of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, and 13 Air Medals.

COL ~ US AIR FORCE

Father Russell McRae Atchison 1910–2001

Mother Ruth Mary Baldwin Atchison 1914–2003

• Obituary: Jefferson Funeral Chapel, Obituary for Richard M. Atchison, COL. USAF (Ret.), includes:

Richard MacRae Atchison was born in Northville, Michigan, to Dr. Russell and Ruth Mary Atchison. He grew up in a small Michigan farming community where he learned a lifestyle of excellence and service from his parents. He graduated from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri in 1958 with a passion for flying and joined the Air Force’s Aviation Cadet Program in 1961. As a commissioned officer, he lived out his boyhood dreams as an Electronic Warfare Officer, flying B-52s Crome-Dome missions, OV-10 Broncos (Pave Nail) in Vietnam, and F-4G Wild Weasel missions in Europe. Later in his career, he became the HQ USAF Director of Electronic Combat, eventually becoming the Deputy Director of Intelligence (J2) on the Joint Staff which included temporary duty as US Central Command Deputy Director of Intelligence for Operation Desert Storm. While attending Air Command and Staff College, he completed his BS in Management from Troy State University with specialties in Cartography and Labor Relations. His decorations include 2 Legions of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, and 13 Air Medals.

Richard Atchison and Barbara Anders were married in June 1964 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. They have four children, Anne-Marie Mingo (Louis), Scott MacRae Atchison (Suzanne), Scott Michael Atchison (Joanna), and Tony Stackhouse. They also have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His influence went beyond his own family as together he and Barbara parented with patience, love, and grace over 50 children in the foster care system.

Richard led by example in excellence and service. He served as the president of the Fairfax County Foster Parents Association as well as president of the Belvoir Bowhunters. Retirement gave him more opportunities to serve and it was his great joy to work with Wounded Warriors, adaptive sports, and the Warrior Transition Battalion of Fort Belvoir.

Richard is preceded in death by his brother Russell M. Atchison and his parents. He is survived by his sisters Rhonda M. Atchison Rice and Roxanne M. Casterline.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Archbishop Carroll High School, 4300 Harewood Rd NE, Washington DC 20017.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Richard M. Atchison, COL. USAF (Ret.) please visit our Sympathy Store.

Memorial Service AUG 13. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Fort Belvoir Main Chapel

5950 12th St

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060