Richard was born January 12, 1921. He was a 1940 graduate of Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas and worked as an aircraft mechanic at Kelly Field in San Antonio before joining the Navy in June 1942. Richard held the rate of Aviation Metalsmith 3rd Class and was assigned to Squadron 8-A, Pennsacola Naval Air Station, Florida. On July 17, 1943 his family was informed that his aircraft was reported missing while on a routine training flight over the Gulf of Mexico. After a thorough search, with no sign of the plane or it's crew, the men were declared dead on August 2, 1943. A memorial service for Richard was held at Zion Lutheran Church of Helotes.
