Lt. Col. Richard Edward FANG

FANG, Lt. Col. Richard Edward

(Ret. Reserves USAF), passed away under the loving care of Suncoast Hospice, Pinellas Park, at 5:15 am, Monday, April 6, 2015. Born Jan. 27, 1922 in Rochester, NY., he was the youngest of Francis Edward Fang and Grace Reed Thompson's five children. He was a 1942 graduate of the University of Rochester with a bachelors and masters degree in physics. He entered the Army Air Corp where he studied meteorology in Battle Creek, MI. He was stationed at Mather Field, CA. where he charted the weather for our planes headed for Japan. He met many people of importance during his assignment, including Jimmy Doolittle. After his discharge in early 1946, he returned to the University of Rochester where he worked as a teaching instructor. He lacked two courses of achieving his Ph.D. when the birth of his second daughter led him to corporate America, where he worked in nuclear sales for 38 years at Westinghouse Electric Corp. He earned a second masters degree in advanced economics from Syracuse University in 1956. He also did additional studies at the War College and MIT. He is a descendant of Mayflower and Revolutionary War families. His ancestor, Thomas Elkins sailed a frigate to France as a member of the Continental Navy. He was married for 67 years to his beloved wife, Virginia Kingsbury. He was an amazing father to his three children. He was predeceased by his son, Reed Edward; his great-granddaughter, Evelyn Gilmore; and his wife, Virginia. He is survived by his daughters, Ginanne (William) Gilmore and Mary Lou (Gerald) Roedel-Springob. He also leaves his four grandchildren, Charles (Laura) Gilmore, Alissa Roedel Crowel, Jennifer Reed (Tim) Hodgman, Kenneth (Jenn) Roedel. His 13 great-grandchildren are Will and Charlie Gilmore, Kenna, Ella, and Anna Crowel, William Reed, Griffin, and Ryan Hodgman, Joey and Jack Roedel. He also lovingly included his step grandsons, Noah and Hudson Springob. He will receive a full military farewell at Bay Pines National Cemetery and his ashes will be scattered at sea. He will be missed but was so happy to be greeted on the other side by his wife and son, where they are already playing bridge, dancing, and skiing with joy. Online guestbook at www.davidcgross.com.

David C. Gross Funeral Homes 6366 Central Ave/727-381-4911