Obituary of Col Richard Joseph Kastigar

Richard Joseph Kastigar, Sr. (Lt. Colonel, ret.), 90, passed away peacefully in his home in Tucson, Arizona on the morning of January 3, 2015. He was born to Joseph Kastigar and Cecelia Spale in Springfield, Illinois, on December 7, 1924. He courageously enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on his 17th birthday; the exact same day Pearl Harbor was attacked. During his 26 years of service, he received the Combat Medal of Honor, fought in World War II and served in both the Korean and Vietnam Campaigns. He served his country proudly and loved to recount his combat stories to anyone who would listen. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Omaha with a major in Military Science. He married his dearly departed wife, Bertha Louise Loehrer on October 22, 1949. They spent 63 years together until her passing on September 29, 2012. They raised their children together while traveling the world and temporarily stopping in Virginia, Florida, Illinois, California, Japan, Louisiana, Kansas, Texas, Guam and Arizona. He is survived by his seven children: daughter Leah Marie Tannenbaum (Michael); Cecelia Ann Blankenship (Larry) Richard Joseph Kastigar Jr., (Denise) Martina Louise Dickson, Monica Lynn McGregor (Bruce), Lisa Jo Kastigar and Thomas Christopher Kastigar. Dick was the proud grandfather to 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He loved his wife and children dearly and will be greatly missed. The family honored his life in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 3820 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ 85750.