Lieutenant Colonel Edward F. Richardson

Lieutenant Colonel Edward F. Richardson died in Bradenton, Fla., on March 9, 2006. He was born March 13, 1931, in Providence, R.I., and graduated from LaSalle Academy, in 1948. After a year at the University of Rhode Island, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He received a commission as a second lieutenant, in 1956, and earned his pilots wings, in 1957. After a number of years as a squadron pilot, aircraft commander and instructor pilot in C-130s, he moved on as a staff officer at Tactical Air Command Headquarters (TAC), Langley AFB, Virginia. In 1968, he was assigned as a Forward Air Controller, in Viet Nam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. During his service, he also earned the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, a Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and numerous other unit awards. On return to the U.S., he was again assigned to TAC as a plans and programs officer. After three years, he was appointed as the Air Force representative to the Commander, U.S. Second Fleet in Norfolk, Va. He retired from the Air Force in 1975. Colonel Richardson is survived by his wife Kathleen Cox Richardson; four children: Edward Jr. (Lynn), of Lancaster, Va., S. Michael (Patricia), of Fredericksburg, Va., Lynn Pirie (Walt), of Blacksburg, Va., Kenneth (Beth), of Gloucester, Va.,; two stepchildren: Ted Brackin (Gretchen), of Wilmington Del., and Anne Bean (Christopher), of Bradenton; eight grandchildren and five step-grandchildren. His first wife, of forty-four years, Muriel Sherman Richardson, of Woonsocket, R.I., and a daughter, Suellen, predeceased him. He is also survived by his younger brother, Robert (Bob) Richardson, of Cape Coral, Fla. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and served as president of the Bradenton chapter, for three years. He was also a member of the Military Order of the World Wars, Bradenton/Sarasota Chapter and American Legion, Kirby-Stewart Post 24. A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 26th Street West, Bradenton, on March 11, 2006, at 1p.m. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, at a later date. Please make memorial donations to MOAA-BC, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 381, Bradenton, FL 34206-0381.