|
Richard G. (Dick) Saylor CWO-4 United States Army Retired. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania on December 25, 1926 to Walter and Eva, Richard and Ruth, his twin sister were the youngest of four children. Richard was industrious as the depression began in earnest and his Mother passed away at age 12. He had a paper route and rode his bicycle five miles each way to work earning 15 cents per hour. When his family moved to a new home, he met Doris Gable, his new neighbor who became the love of his life and attended Reading High. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after the outbreak of World War II and served in the South Pacific on an LSM, a 202 ft. landing ship that delivered tanks and men during the invasion of Okinawa. After the war, he married Doris in 1946 and later enlisted in the U.S. Army. In 1948, his daughter Susan was born and in 1951, his son Richard while Dick stationed in Anchorage Alaska. Over his 34 year distinguished military career where he eventually became an officer, he served in Louisiana, Texas, California, Korea, Washington, Italy, Germany, France, Hawaii, New York, Arizona and New Mexico where he helped found the Nuclear Weapons Training Center at Sandia Base. He worked all over the world as an expert in nuclear warhead assembly and material handling, conducting inspections for NATO missile sites and teaching proper maintenance and procedures of the nuclear weapons arsenal. A Boy Scout himself, he was the Scoutmaster of his son's Boy Scout Troop in Hawaii and took the entire troop to the Big Island of Hawaii to watch the eruption of the Kilauea volcano. He later became the Scoutmaster of an Explorer Scout Troop. During his entire life, he ALWAYS loved being of service to others and an exemplary role model to kids and others due to his rare and rigid standards of honesty, being impeccable with your word, patriotism, and work ethic. After retirement, Richard and Doris, joined Mobile Missionary Assistance Program and traveled the country in their various campers building, repairing, assisting and funding the support of orphanages, churches and schools. He was a 23 year volunteer at the VA Hospital where he recently received an award for 10,000 hours of service. He loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, his family, and serving those in need. He was immensely proud of the accomplishments of his daughter, Susan Fox (William), PhD; his son Richard's business acumen; and those of his grandchildren, Jeremy PhD (Allene Whitney, MD), Jillian BA (Steve McAllister), Brandon (BS), Jonathan, Christopher and Grant; great-grandaughter Merridy; and Mikey his Bischon. He was a member of the Zia Romers, Retired Officer's Assn, MOAA, Shriners, Masons, Meadowlark SR Fishing Club, Paradise Hills Methodist Church, The Good Sam Club, and DAV. He was a long term benefactor of the Rescue Mission, Boy's and Girl's Ranch and the orphanage in Tecate, California. After the death of his beloved Doris, he continued to serve at the VA Hospital and for his new friends at Fairwinds Retirement Community in Rio Rancho. A celebration of his extraordinary life will be held Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Paradise Hills Methodist Church 4700 Paradise Blvd. N.W. Albuq. NM 87114, Pastor David Snyman presiding. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations in remembrance to the VA Medical Center/Volunteer Services (505) 256-2771 Director Sonja Brown,The Albuquerque Rescue Mission or Paradise Hills Methodist Church. Daniels Family Funeral Services www.danielsfuneral.com 891-9192.
|
