NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Richard Van (Dick) Coffin Sr., Lt. Col., USAF, Retired, of North Las Vegas, Nev., died Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Centennial Hills Hospital surrounded by family. He was born October 4, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio.
He was a graduate of Greenbrier Military School, class of 1947. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University in 1959. In 1967, he obtained his Master’s degree in Aerospace Operations Management from the University of Southern California.
Dick proudly began his military service as an officer in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. During his 20-year career, that included a tour in Vietnam, he was a fighter pilot, transport pilot and a missile, logistics and supply commander. He retired while stationed at Hickam AFB, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He later went on to a career as a civil servant, retiring from the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, Airports Division, where he served as Assistant Airport Manager for the Lihue Airport on the Island of Kauai and Honolulu International Airport on the Island of Oahu.
Dick was a member of the Free Masons, Elks, American Legion, The Retired Officers Association and supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He cared deeply for his family and his Country (especially the men and women serving and sacrificing for our great Country); therefore, he was very active in supporting and opposing political entities accordingly.
He was an avid drummer and played in a dance band as well as the marching band while at Greenbrier. He loved his “Big Band” sounds. Dick liked playing golf and sometimes he would “go to work” at the local casinos. He was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather and cherished every moment with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Dewitt and Harriet Florence (Vanderlip) Coffin; and his younger brother, Gilbert.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Janet LaRee (Page), whom he married Nov. 21, 1953, at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Roxanne Coffin Jr. of Fountain Valley, Calif.; daughter, Theresa (Coffin) Wriston of Honolulu, Hawaii; eight grandchildren, James, Christopher, Jasmine, Ka’iulani, Seanne, Cully, Mellissa and Heather; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Boulder City, Nev., 12 p.m. Noon, July 7th, with Full Military Honors. There will be a viewing that morning from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at the PALMS MORTUARY NORTHWEST, North Las Vegas, Nev.
Dick did not want flowers but rather, for anyone so inclined, a donation to their favorite charity.
We love you Dad.
Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
