Col. Charles Whiting Richard Jr.

Richard Jr., Col. Charles Whiting

Col. Charles Whiting Richard Jr., age 94, of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Chuck was born on July 25, 1930, at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois to the late Charles W. and Marie (McGuire) Richard.

Chuck spent his early years in Sparta, Illinois and Shreveport, Louisiana before graduating with Electrical Engineering degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS 1952) and the University of Illinois (MS 1954). Chuck enjoyed a 33-year teaching and research career in the Air Force and later as a civilian as Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, Ohio.

Chuck and his wife Jean, together with their eight children, loved traveling the country on vacations in their motorhome. After retirement Chuck and Jean expanded their travels to many different European countries aboard space-available Air Force flights. Chuck spent his time playing golf, bocce, skiing, and especially pickleball where he brought the sport to residents of Seminole Lakes, Florida; Southwest Harbor, Maine; and to his children and grandchildren in all regions of the United States.

Chuck is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Jean (Lyons) Richard, sister Patricia Jones, daughter-in-law Susan Armstrong Richard, and grandson Graham Hartman. He is survived by his eight children: Charles W. (Wytske Kingma) Richard III, Chris Richard, Megan Richard, Melissa (Craig) Kahui, Tami Richard, Dave (Denise) Richard, Trisha Richard, and Jennifer Richard, 19 Grandchildren, and 12 Great Grandchildren. Poppa will be missed by his large family but is now united with Nana!

A mass of Christian burial for Col. Richard will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W Charlotte Ave, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950. Following the mass will be a committal service with military honors at 2:00pm at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, Florida 34241. Family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Meals on Wheels of Charlotte County or Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity.