Obituary of Richard Phillip Dechance

Richard Phillip Dechance, Sr. died Nov. 16, 2021 of cancer in Sun City Center, Florida at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife Katherine; his children Yvonne (Gary Blackburn) Dechance, and Rick Dechance; his step-children Mary K (Steven) Smethers, Paul (Renee) Schwartz, Richard Schwartz, Monica (Brad) Nelson, Susan (Chris) Jones, Karen (Scott) Grinker, Holly (Mike) Pomraning, and James (Anna) Schwartz; 20 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and his siblings Don (Darlene) Dechance, and Phyllis (Sonny) Randol.

He was preceded in death by his parents Phillip and Mary Dechance; and his first wife Gladys.

Richard was born and raised in Inglewood, CA graduating from UCLA before accepting an Air Force commission. An award-winning B-52 navigator-bombardier, he served in the Vietnam War before spending the rest of his 22 year military career as an instructor, completing a master’s degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and retiring as a Major in plans and operations. After retirement he had a successful second career as a technical writer.

His interests ranged from photography and woodworking to cooking and technology, with a special love for orchestral music.

An avid sports enthusiast, he could frequently be found following everything from baseball and football to races and rodeos. He continued his passion with golf in particular by retiring to the courses at Sun City Center, where he met and married Katherine and took joy in the adventures of her extended family. The couple frequently traveled together, from a European Viking cruise to numerous cross-US road trips in their cherished Tesla.

Those who knew and loved him are encouraged to raise a glass of Drambuie in his honor.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/donate/ or the American Cancer Society https://donate3.cancer.org/ 

A Memorial Mass will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center on December 3, 2021 at 10:30am and will be available via live stream at https://popcc.org/livestream beginning at 10:20 am.   A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Spokane Washington at a later date.