Richard McNab

Lt. Col (Ret.) Richard Kirk McNab

December 2, 1931 - December 15, 2015

Ocean Springs, MS

Lt. Col. Richard "Mack/Snapper" McNab, Retired, U.S. Air Force, passed away on the 15th of December 2015 in Ocean Springs, MS at the age of 84.

"Mack" was a loving husband to "Moosie", father, grandfather, great-grandfather, patriot, and friend to his nation, the world, his community, and to the thousands of persons whom he protected and came to know him.

Born in Sanford, FL, he attended the University of Florida where he completed his studies.

McNab entered the Air Force as an aviation cadet in 1953. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt in 1954 following pilot training. He was soon assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, OH.

In March 1957, Mack married the former Barbara Robbins in a military ceremony in Cambridge, Maryland. They resided in Columbus, Ohio until 1964. While at Lockbourne, he was an instructor pilot and held a Spot Majority for 2 years. In 1957 his crew won the P.T. Cullen Award for best Reconnaissance crew in Strategic Air Command.

During the Cold War, McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying 4 Top Secret missions into Russia. These missions were flown in total radio silence over the North Pole to photograph Russian airfields and industrial sites.

In 1964, Lt. Col. McNab was deployed to Vietnam. There he flew over 400 combat missions involving hostile fire. Though hit several times, he always returned his crew safely home. He was awarded 18 Air Medals for his actions.

After Vietnam, McNab spent 3 years at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, where he was awarded the Yates Award as top crew member of the Air Weather Squadron. Following Hickam he was transferred to Headquarters, Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB where he served as Chief B-47 pilot for the Air Weather Service.

In 1972, Mack and his family were transferred to Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. He served as operations officer for the Air Force Hurricane Hunters, a command that was transferred to Keesler AFB in Biloxi. In 1975 McNab was named Commander of the detachment of 30 instructors at Keesler and was in charge of training the pilots to fly the Hurricane Recon Missions.

Lt. Col. McNab retired in 1979 after 26 years as an Air Force Pilot. After retirement, he flew as a commercial pilot for 15 years.

Retired Lt. Col. McNab is survived by his wife of 59 years - Barbara "Bobbie/Moose" McNab, his children - Michael McNab, Kelly McNab Williams (Jeffrey Williams) and Jackie McNab Danner, grand children - Kirk McNab, Loren Williams-Rogers, Lucas McNab, Kylie Williams, Bree Williams Robbins, Nikki McNab Root, Baylea Williams, Alex Danner, and great-grand children - Myah, Madison, Hayden, Alora, Trenton, Channing, Hadley Kirk, Mckenzee, Meela, River, and Brantley Mack.

Mack was the consummate Air Force Officer and remained ready, willing, and able to defend his nation and loved ones against all threats to the very end. There is no definition for the word "class", but when you come across it, you can't miss it. Mack.

Services to be held at Bradford O'Keefe, Ocean Springs. Visitation: Monday, Dec 21, 6pm to 8pm. Funeral: Dec 22, with a 10am visitation and service at 11am. Burial shall be at 12:30 pm at the Biloxi National Cemetery on the grounds of the VA.

Fly high Mackie, fly high.