Mather, Richard S
Richard S (Dick) Mather, Colonel USAF (ret), flew his last flight on February 16th, 2024 following a long struggle with lung disease.
He said to tell you he'll see you on the far side!
He leaves behind his loving wife Phyllis (Sloopy) of 52 years, two superstar sons Kevin and Courtney, Daughter-in-Law Christina, and three awesome grandsons, Ethan, Max and Rhys. He also leaves his Connecticut family: sister Susan Falvo, brothers-in-law Frank Falvo and John Scott, and four nieces Lisa, Melissa, Lori and Heather. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
He was born and raised in Wethersfield CT, where he graduated from High School in 1963. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Elmer Mather and a sister, Terrie Scott. He earned a BA degree as a cum laude graduate of Colby College in 1967 and held an MS degree from Vanderbilt University in 1977. He was commissioned in the USAF in June, 1967 and graduated from Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College.
His true passion was fighter aviation and he was blessed with many great flying assignments in the F-4 D & E Phantom and the A, B, C, D and E models of the F15 Eagle. He was a top graduate of the F-4 Fighter Weapons School and later an Instructor in the F-15 Fighter Weapons School. In his 26 year career, he flew 4000 flight hours at these primary bases: Moody AFB GA, Homestead AFB FL, a combat tour at DaNang Air Base VietNam, Holloman AFB, RAF Bentwaters Woodbridge UK, Bitburg AB Germany, Nellis AFB. His staff tour was at the Pentagon in AF Ops, where he was the Checkmate Blue Team Chief and later the XO JCS Joint Reader. His other assignment outside of a fighter wing was as Chief of the Air Force Section, US Military Training Mission, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He retired at Nellis AFB in 1993, where he commanded the Operational Test and Evaluation Group and served as Acting Vice Commander, 57th Wing. He was a highly decorated pilot, having been awarded numerous air medals.
He was a happy man with a great sense of humor and great love for his family and friends. He was a proud member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, Daedalians and CBSA. He believed that our generation lived in the best of times.