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Richard (Rick) Dean Willis, age 78, a long time resident of Albuquerque, NM died August 28, 2008 while hiking in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. He is survived by his son Jurgen Willis of Woodinville, WA; and his daughter Christina Beggs and her husband Steve Beggs; and his grandchildren Samuel and Ava Beggs of Castle Rock, Colorado. He is also survived by his sisters Carrie Melander of Assaria, Kansas and Margie Hanson of Overland Park, Kansas; his brother John Hanson of Kansas City, Kansas and Jim Hanson of Assaria, Kansas; and his former wife Beate Hitzler of Albuquerque, NM. Rick earned a Bachelor Degree in History from Bethany College, Kansas and a Masters Degree from Kansas State Teachers College, Kansas. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 in the United States and Germany. After leaving the Army, Rick was a school teacher and basketball coach in Kansas and California before beginning a career as a civil servant with the United States Air Force in 1967. During his career in the Air Force, Rick served at McClellan Air Force Base, California, Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, and finally at Kirkland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Rick served at Kirkland Air Force Base as an Employee Development Specialist from 1975 to 1991. After retiring from the Air Force in 1991, Rick traveled extensively throughout the United States visiting National Parks and historical sites. Rick will be remembered by his family and friends for his love of history, the American West and the outdoors, and his uncompromising self reliance and independence.
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