Richard Allen Bricker

1924 - 2022

Richard Allen Bricker
August 25, 1924 - May 9, 2022
Hero Pilot, Husband, Dad, Grandfather and teacher to hundreds of grateful children, Richard Bricker died on May 9, 2022, at Marin General Hospital, after a fall at home on May 2.
Born in Indiana, and raised in Detroit MI, at the age of 18 he joined the Army Air Corp. Now one of the last B-17 Bomber Pilots, he was awarded numerous medals and ribbons for heroism in aerial combat, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew 30 missions over Germany from England. He said, "It was the most exciting time of life, if you survived".
Post war he earned his Bachelors at University of Michigan and his Masters at UC Berkeley. Following his recruitment by IBM with their "Brightest and Most Driven" campaign, he had a wonderful time exploring New York City. While working in the Hawaiian Islands he met flight attendant Afton Fillmore and they married in Honolulu. Eventually they settled in Mill Valley where Dick focused on building their home and his 100% sales rating at work. He is survived by his three children Mark, Jeff and Karen and grandchildren Kyle, Kendall, Austin and Alex.
Taking early retirement, he went on to fulfill his dream of being an educator, obtaining a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University. He traveled the world and reveled in nature and the people he met, never hesitant to start a conversation.
He met his second wife of 33 years, Emily Hanna, while hiking on Mt Tam. Before settling in Lucas Valley, they spent years globetrotting and camping with his El Camino car. She is mourning his passing, along with step-children Liz, Paul, Eddie and Laura, and Paul's children Nathan and Patrick.
He devoted years of volunteer work to Marin County Schools. He collected and refurbished computers, installed and taught programs to K-3rd grade, and established a grant from IBM to fund the program. The teachers and children he taught and cared for will not forget him.
Our pilot has flown home; he will remain in our hearts. Please join in a Celebration of Life at home in Lucas Valley on Sunday July 10th, 2022 at 2pm.