Richard Palmer Campbell
Richard Palmer Campbell, age 90, a resident of Friendswood, Texas passed away with his wife by his side on March 11, 2023, at their home. Richard was born January 23, 1933, in Portland, Maine. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force immediately after high school and proudly served his country from 1950 to 1978. During his 28 years in the military, Richard served in many different capacities as well as being assigned to several different locations all over the world.
He began as a Morse Code Operator decoding communications from enemy countries. During this time, he was assigned to assist and fly reconnaissance missions and provide support for the National Security Association. His tenure in the military took him from Germany, England, Greece, Greenland and South Korea as well as many military bases in the U.S.
After retiring from the USAF in 1977, he remained a huge military supporter and was a proud member of the US Air Force Association.
Richard went to work for NASA at Johnson Space Center in Mission Control on various technical and statistical assignments. He was also chosen to assist on the recovery task team of the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster.
After his full retirement, he enjoyed traveling, reading books, dining at good restaurants and spending time with family.
He leaves behind his wife of 15 years, Louise Garcia Campbell; daughter Emily; son Richard “Rick”; granddaughters Rebekah and Sarah; great granddaughter Cirilla; step daughters; Denise & husband Luis, Lisa; step sons Jay and Parker; step grandsons John & wife Gracie, Lou & wife Marissa, Michael & wife Kayla, Matthew & wife Alissa, Bryan, Dylan, Dane and Cash; step granddaughter Brittany; step great grandsons Brayden, Mason and JR; step great granddaughters Baelynn, Madison and Charlie.
Family will receive friends at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023 with a service to begin at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Crowder Funeral Home in Pearland.
In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be sent to Camp Hope, a PTSD Foundation of America.
This is sad news and sincere condolences to Dick’s family. A friend for many years he was the example of service to the country and pride in our military. He will be greatly missed.
Dick and I used to get together at my hangar at Pearland Reginal airport
and enjoyed sharing flying stories while watching the planes do touch and
goes. We also worked payloads at JSC. On occasion we’d fly together and he would share stories of flying on England and it just so happened Dick was close to my Uncle Jim’s base in Shipdham England flying B-24 on bombing runs to Germany.
We were 2 pilots having fun on a clear day was good for the soul. As time went by our time working at JSC was being cut short as our company USA was soon to be
dissolved as the shuttle program was ending. We also enjoyed Texan games
when we were playoff bound. Time flew by all to quickly. Rest in peace Dick.
I am utterly in shock hearing Dick died. We were friends for over 30 years. Worked with him for a long time. We also played a lot of golf together. I will miss him very much.
My condolences and prayers to Richard’s family and friends. I joined his email list upon the death of another retired USAF member, William Fain who was my upstairs neighbor. I probably still have hundreds of emails yet to read as Richard loved sending them out in droves. God bless you Richard for your service to our country and to others!
I am sad to hear about Dick. We often talk occasionally since both of us have retired. You have our deepest sympathy from both me and my wife Margy. I will cherish the fond memories and good times we had.
My heartfelt condolences to all of his family…he was a very good friend, no matter if we argued sometimes, mostly due to political reasons, but we kept being friends, cause he was a good and honorable man…Sometimes he use to tell me that almost all of his old friends, had died…maybe he wanted to meet them again, so he went up there…R.I.P. my friend…!!
Dick and I met when we started working together at JSC in 1995. Dick had a great sense of humor and was a very outgoing person who could get along with everyone. I loved hearing him talk about his assignments in the Air Force – we had the USAF in common, although I didn’t stay in for a full career like he did. I will never forget Dick – couldn’t if I wanted to, because I still have literally hundreds of emails he sent! I expect to go back and re-read some of them from time to time.
Mike Veres
What sad news to receive. We both served in the USAF Security Services 2nd Radio Squadron Mobile in Darmstadt Germany, Dick in 1953-1955 and me 1949-1952 as Morse Code Intercept Operators. I met Dick at one of our Squadron Reunions and became great friends and swapped memories of those great days at work and off duty places and the other troops we worked with and knew. I will surely miss my friend and buddy Dick.
Senior Master Sergeant Paul Laffitte, USAF Retired
After not hearing from Uncle Richard on Facebook for a few days I did some checking and … 🙁 I’m so very sorry to read about his passing, but I’m so grateful I did get to know him these last few years. What an incredible person he was, with a truly amazing career, a wonderful sense of humor and a shared passion for our Scottish heritage. RIP, sir. CRUACHAN! and I love you. ♥
Just heard of Dicks passing (thank you Taryn). Worked with Dick over 30 years ago in Shuttle program . What a great personality and always making me laugh .
Sorry to see I missed his funeral.
Salute and RIP Dick -Robin Bass
My condolences and prayers for Dick and his family and friends. Dick never had down time. I still have a mountain of mail Dick shared with me from our love from Air Force days and JSC. RIP Dick we will miss you old friend.