Richard E. Bachmann

POQUOSON - Colonel Richard E. 'Dick' Bachmann, U.S. Air Force (retired), 73, departed this life on Saturday, Nov. 14, at home in Poquoson, Va., surrounded by loving family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Born in Detroit, Mich., to Swiss and Romanian immigrant parents, he was the second of three children of William and Evelyn Bachmann. He graduated from Walled Lake High School, lettering in football, basketball and baseball.
Dick attended the University of Michigan and received a bachelor's degree in military science from the University of Omaha. He and Anna Gail Fear, his sweetheart since sixth grade, were married in 1958 and they set off together on an adventurous life in the Air Force. He earned his pilot wings through the Air Force Aviation Cadet program in 1958. He was a fighter pilot to his core. He flew the T-28, T-33, F-86, F-101, F-102, F-106, F-4, A-7 and F-15, amassing over 4,400 flying hours. While flying the A-7, he deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base during Operation Linebacker II and later commanded the 358th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. His final assignment was as the Deputy Commander for Maintenance, 1st Fighter Wing, Langley Air Force Base Virginia. After 24 years of service, he chose to put his family first over further career advancement and retire rather than move from Poquoson, which allowed all three of his children to graduate from Poquoson High School. His military decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
He delighted in his children and grandchildren, and always found time to attend their concerts, athletic events and academic ceremonies. Family vacations, a tradition he started as a young father, continued throughout his life, including major backpacking and skiing trips well into his late 60s. He was a dedicated member of the Order of Daedalians and the Poquoson Kiwanis. He was a longtime tutor at Poquoson Primary School and was recently honored for his service to the children of Poquoson with a plaque and ceremony at the school library.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Bill and Fred.
He is survived by Gail, his wife of 51 years; three children and nine grandchildren, Colonel Rick and wife, Jeanette Mason Bachmann, Sarah, Andrew and Bryan of Dayton, Ohio; Lt. Col. (retired) Steve and wife, Julianna Verser Bachmann, Daniel, Jacob and William of Springfield, Va.; Heather and husband, Garry Carter, Zachary, Matthew and Anna Grace of Poquoson.
The family will receive friends at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home in Poquoson on Monday, Nov. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. by the Rev. Michael T. Condrey. A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Jan. 15, 2010, at 3 p.m.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Scott Kruger, Dr. Sinclair McCracken and the staffs of Virginia Oncology and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Poquoson Primary School Library, 19 Odd Road, Poquoson, VA 23662, or the Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814, in his memory.
Online condolences to www.claytorrollins.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.