Colonel USAF Richard A. Virant

1935 - 2022

Richard A. Virant, Colonel USAF (ret.)
August 30, 1935 - December 4, 2022
Bothell, Washington - Richard Anthony Virant (Dick) lived a full, rich, and exciting life. He traveled the world and to all 50 states. He always said, no matter your state, he saw more of it than eighty percent of its population! Not a passive traveler, he snorkeled in the Caribbean, rode horses in Hawaii, kayaked in Panama's Lake Gatun, and at 80 years old, zip lined through the jungles of Guatemala.
Dick was born in Cleveland Ohio on August 30th, 1935, to Anthony (Red) and Frances Virant but grew up in the great town of Willoughby. He attended McKinley Grade School and graduated from Willoughby Union High School. After attending Case Institute of Technology as a freshman, he thought Tallahassee with its mild winters, would be a better choice. And though, his undergraduate degree was from Florida State University, he returned to Ohio to obtain his MBA from Ohio State University. He also joined the United State Air Force receiving his commission and silver wings after training.
He was stationed in Charleston, SC where he met his future wife, Susan Lamb. They had 43 wonderful years together, traveling the globe: driving a Winnebago through the streets of Monaco, riding camels in the shadow of the pyramids, and taking every road less traveled. She was his one true love and best friend.
In his Air Force career, he amassed 10,000 flying hours including 1,000 combat hour flown in Vietnam. He rose through the ranks to obtain the rank of Colonel, proudly wearing the silver eagles. He was stationed all over the world from the Pentagon, Mildenhall and Alconbury in England to his final position of Base Commander at McChord Air Force Base in Pierce County, WA.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf, the Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Outstanding Unit Award with V and four Oak Leaves, Expert Marksmanship ribbon.
Upon retiring from the Air Force (after 28 years of service) he went onto a successful stint as a bank manager and then Governor Booth Gardner tapped him to be on Washington State Board of Tax Appeals where he was the Executive Director.
Dick died December 4, 2022, at the age of 87. He is survived by his children: Kimberly and Christopher and his grandchild: Lance as well as his brother, Robert Virant.
He was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Susan Virant and his parents.
We will celebrate his life on Wednesday December 14, 2022 at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills (409 Filbert Rd, Lynnwood, WA 98036) with a visitation from 1 - 5 PM and a memorial at 3:30 PM.