Col. Richard K. Chisholm USAF (Ret.)

1931 - 2022

Col. Richard K. Chisholm USAF (Ret.)
July 14, 1931 - December 8, 2022
Merced, California - Col. Richard K. Chisholm USAF (Ret.)
"... slipping the surly bonds of earth..." one last time.
After a full and exceptional life, Colonel Rick Chisholm passed away peacefully, at home, under Hospice care, December 8, 2022, with his loving family beside him.
Col. Chisholm was an inspiring man of honor and character who loved his country deeply. He came to the Merced area, stationed at Castle AFB in 1976.
Rick Chisholm was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1931, the son of Chester and Helen Chisholm. His boyhood dream was to become a pilot. After graduating from Boston College High School, he attended Georgetown University, 1949-1951.
A lover of Swing and Jazz music from an early age, friends and family will attest, Rick was rarely without a song, or a whistle on his lips.
He entered the Air Force under the Aviation Cadet Program in August 1951-53. Rick and Anita married in Newton Center, Massachusetts in 1953, He completed F-86 pilot training at Nellis AFB, Nevada, 1954.
Col. Chisholm had a distinguished career. He flew F-86's in Korea from 1954-1955. Served in the Air Training Command in Selma, Alabama, 1955-1960 as an instructor pilot in the T-33. He flew KC-97s and KC-135s, at Barksdale, Louisiana and Randolph AFB, San Antonio, Texas, and trained in F-100s at Luke AFB, AZ, where, in 1967 he earned Top Gun Award. He served in Phan Rang, Vietnam, 1967-1968.
Rick was a Command Pilot, Instructor Pilot, and Chief Pilot for the Commander-in-Chief USAF Europe at Rhein Main AFB, Germany, from 1968-1972. Then assigned to Readiness Command at MacDill AFB,Tampa, Florida, from 1972-1976.
Col. Chisholm's final assignment was to Castle AFB in Atwater,CA, as Deputy Commander for Resources, until retiring from his 31 year career, April, 1983.
A lover of aviation history, Col. Chisholm was one of the founding members of the Castle Air Museum, where he was a docent for more than 15 years.
A runner from his student days, It was a sport he continued well into his 70s, and then became a walker. He and his German shepherd, Baron, ran ten thousand miles together in 12 years.
Rick was also a skier , a sport he introduced the family to while stationed in Germany. Ski vacations became a Chisholm family tradition in Germany and later at Tahoe, California.
After retiring, Rick served as Executive Director of Merced Area United Way, from 1984-1996. Under his leadership United Way grew in memberships and donations.
Wednesday mornings at The Senior Center were a must for Rick. He joined The Senior Writers Club, a source of special friendships and great storytelling, for close to 20 years.
Col. Chisholm was predeceased by his parents Chester and Helen Chisholm, and his sister Patricia O'Brien. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Anita, and their four children, Michelle Chappell, Trish Tessendore, David Chisholm wife Martina; Ken Chisholm, wife Donna; and grandchildren: Sharlene Macaluso, husband, Anthony; Ricky Chappell, wife Aidil; Tara and Taylor Tessendore; Casey Sanders, husband, Will, Evan Chisholm; Damian and Terri Chisholm, and great-grandchildren AnaBelle and Amelia Chappell, Presley Macaluso, Audrey and Liam Chisholm; and by his four O'Brien nieces: Beth, Terri, Maura and Anne, and Laura Piscopo Wein.
There will be a Celebration of Life later this year.