Richard Harry "Rich" Kirlin

Richard "Rich" Harry Kirlin, age 57 passed away unexpectedly on June 24, 2024, in Kyiv Ukraine.
He was born in Slayton, Minnesota on May 31, 1967. While growing up Rich was always extremely interested in serving his country and while still in high school joined the Minnesota Army National Guard. In 1985 Richard graduated from Slayton High School and joined the US Air Force on October 11, 1985.
Richard entered the Air Force as a Security Forces Police. He was stationed at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, Louisiana. This is where he met and married Katrina Carver and had two children Kim and Kory. He was then transferred to Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska. Richard worked as a recruiter and then began working IT for Security Forces. This is where he got his passion for the IT career field. After being transferred to MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida Richard worked for General John Abizaid and General Tommy Franks with CENTCOM. Additionally in his career he worked with Logistics. During Richard's Air Force career he was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal with 4 bronze OLC, AF Commendation Medal with 1 bronze OLC, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NCO Professional Military Graduate Ribbon with 1 bronze star, National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze star, AF Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 1 bronze OLC, AF Longevity Service Award w 3 bronze stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, AF Outstanding Unit Award with 4 bronze OLC, AF Good Conduct Medal with 1 OLC, Senior Force Protection Badge. After serving his country for 20 years with the Air Force he retired July 31, 2005.
Richard continued to serve his country in a different capacity through work as a federal employee. He worked for BAE and McCallie Assoc as a GS employee. He was employed through the Department of Defense and then eventually went to work for the State Department. He enjoyed the travel he was afforded while working as a US Diplomat for the State Department. He was assigned to US Embassies in Nouakchott Mauritania, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Tegucigalpa Honduras and most recently Kyiv, Ukraine. During his assignments he met and became friends with many people along the way.
Richard will be remembered as a resolute, diligent worker that provided support to his family, friends, and his country. He always had the best stories from all his travels and loved to try all kinds of different foods from around the globe. He was always generous to those around him. He was an amazing, father, grandfather, brother and friend and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Richard is survived by his daughter Kim and son Kory; seven grandchildren Marley, Mason, Magnolia, Abigail, Acadia, Abel and Jax; former wife Katrina; brother John (Monica) Kirlin and sister Sherri (Brad) Schmitt.
Richard is preceded in death by his father Harry Kirlin and mother Theadora LaFromboise.
Visitation and service will be 12:30 p.m. Thursday July 18, 2024 in the chapel of Benton County Funeral Home in Rogers, Arkansas, and a burial to follow at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home 306 N 4th. St Rogers, AR 72756