Brigadier General Richard G. Rumney

Brigadier General Richard G. Rumney, United States Air Force (Retired), passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025 at the age of 99. A decorated officer, pioneering aerospace engineer, and dedicated public servant, General Rumney's life was marked by a profound commitment to the defense and advancement of the United States.
Born in Woodbury, New Jersey, on September 16, 1926, he was the son of the late Raymond and Elsa Rumney. He was the beloved husband of 40 years to Panithan S. Rumney; loving father of Richard (Linda) Rumney, Aleece (Ed) Briggs, David (Maureen) Rumney; survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Brigadier General Richard G. Rumney attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Engineering. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the newly formed United States Air Force.
General Rumney began his military career with navigation and radar bombardment training at Mather Air Force Base, California, in 1950, followed by operational assignments with the Strategic Air Command and Far East Air Forces. Demonstrating a lifelong commitment to learning, he earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1955, followed by two additional advanced degrees from the University of Michigan in 1960-one in Instrumentation Engineering and another in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. He was a graduate of the National War College in 1970.
Throughout his distinguished career, General Rumney held numerous leadership and academic positions. He served as an instructor in physics and chemistry at West Point and later as an associate professor of astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His technical expertise led to key assignments in aerospace development and strategy, including roles with the Space Systems Division in Los Angeles and the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO).
In Southeast Asia, he served as Director of Technical Operations for Task Force Alpha and as Deputy Director of Targets, 7th Air Force, during the Vietnam conflict. His strategic contributions continued stateside, where he served as Chief of Staff for SAMSO and later as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel at Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
In 1975, General Rumney was appointed Principal Deputy to the Director of the Intelligence Community Staff (ICS), co-located with the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia. He also served concurrently as Acting Chief of the Collection and Processing Assessment Division of the ICS. In this role, he helped guide critical intelligence operations at the highest levels of government during a pivotal era in U.S. national security.
General Rumney's numerous awards and honors include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. He was a Master Navigator and wore the Master Missileman Badge. He was also elected to the honorary scholastic society Phi Kappa Phi for his academic achievements at the University of Michigan.
Brigadier General Richard G. Rumney's legacy is one of service, scholarship, and leadership. He leaves behind a nation stronger for his contributions and generations of Air Force officers who followed in his footsteps. He will be buried at The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies with full military honors.