Obituary of Col. Richard "Rick" Alan Searfoss

On September 29, 2018, our husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, Colonel Richard Alan "Rick" Searfoss, passed away at the age of 62, in Bear Valley Springs, California.�He was born June 5, 1956, in Mount Clemens, Michigan, to Mary K. Spencer and Stanley Gerald "Jerry" Searfoss. His mother preceded him in death in 1978. Rick grew up living on military bases but considered Portsmouth, New Hampshire, his hometown. He graduated from Portsmouth Senior High School where he played soccer and ran track. Rick received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1978, and a Master of Science degree in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology on a National Science Foundation Fellowship in 1979. As a commissioned Air Force officer, Rick attended various other colleges, schools, and pilot training. Serving for twenty years in the Air Force, he was a fighter pilot, test pilot, and NASA Space Shuttle Commander. Rick had a distinguished career, highlighted by many honors: The Harmon, Fairchild, Price, and Tober Awards (top overall, academic, engineering, and aeronautical engineering graduate), United States Air Force Academy Class of 1978, the Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory Excellence in Turbine Engine Design award, and the USAF Squadron Officer's School Commandant's Trophy as the top graduate. Rick was a Distinguished Graduate, USAF Fighter Weapons School ("Top Gun") and recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (3), NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross and the Legion of Merit. Among his many achievements, Rick was proud of his Eagle Scout award. After retiring from the Air Force and NASA, Rick continued to pursue his passions for flying and space exploration as a professional speaker, serving in executive level positions in the aerospace industry, and as a test pilot instructor.Rick married Julie McGuire of Glendale, California, in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1980. Together they raised three daughters. Rick's Air Force career took their family to England, Idaho, Maryland, and Texas. Prior to moving to Bear Valley Springs in 2001, the family also resided in Florida. Rick had wide-ranging talents and passions, enjoying running, cycling, scuba diving, soccer, radio-controlled airplanes and fine scale airplane modeling, backpacking, scouting, science fiction and fantasy literature, music, and photography, especially photographing the earth from space and his family. A man of great faith in God, Rick served in his church in many capacities, from teacher to leadership positions, most recently serving as Bishop of the Bear Valley Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rick was a servant leader, caring for those with whom he interacted in all aspects of his life. Rick dearly loved, and was loved, by his family. He leaves behind a wealth of joyful memories that will be cherished forever. Although we mourn his loss, our faith affirms that we will be together again through the grace of Jesus Christ.Rick is survived by his wife, Julie; their three daughters, Megan (Devin) Furse, Elizabeth, and Camille (Vance) Long; four grandsons, Liam Richard, Duncan, Malcolm, and Clark; his father, Stanley "Jerry" Searfoss; stepmother, Barbara Searfoss; sister, Deborah (Jesse) Armstrong; and an extended family of in-laws, nieces, and nephews.Funeral service, 1:00PM, Friday, November 30, 2018, United States Air Force Academy Protestant Cadet Chapel, Colorado Springs, Colorado.Interment, United States Air Force Academy Cemetery.Reception to follow. Please RSVP regarding attendance to Deborah Armstrong at dsearfarm@verizon.net.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to The Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, www.spacecenter.org, or to the Air Force Aid Society, www.afas.org, to honor Rick's love of his Air Force and NASA careers, and his service to others. Events Funeral Service Friday, November 30, 2018 1:00PM United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel 2306 Sijan Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80840 Phone: 719-328-1793 Final Resting Place Air Force Academy Cemetery Cemetery Road Air Force Academy, CO 80840