Obituary of Richard Bradford Compton

Richard Bradford Compton, age 81, died on March 17, 2016 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Denver following a long illness. He was a Ranger for the National Park Service, a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.Richard was born on February 20, 1935 in Newark, New Jersey to Judge Henry and Alice (Grant) Compton. He lived in Hillside, New Jersey until 1953 and was a graduate of Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1955. In 1957, he became a patrolman for Dade County Public Safety in Dade County, Miami, Florida.From 1960-1965 Richard served as a Sergeant and Lieutenant in the Homicide Division, and was an instructor at the Dade County Police Training Bureau.In June 1966, he received his Masters of Science in Criminology and Police Science from Florida State University. In 1976, he became a professional with the Mississippi State Department of Political Science Criminology. He then worked for the Department of Justice in Washington, DC; later to become a Law Enforcement Consultant for the Southeastern United States. Richard moved to the Colorado Springs area in 1980 and until 1990, was a professional photographer who managed a local photography business at the US Air Force Academy. During that time, he married Joan Marie (Belfiore) on August 26, 1984. From 1990-2000, he was a National Park Ranger, served in Law Enforcement, and was a teacher. He spent summers in Florida and winters in Colorado. From 2000-2007, Richard taught digital photography at Pikes Peak Community College and was a substitute Social Studies Teacher at a local High School. From 2003 until 2010, Richard owned and operated a Graphic Design and Photography Business online.Richard enjoyed hiking, camping, watersports and motorcycling. He loved photography, sketching and graphic design. He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Jennifer Ann (Kevin) Koback and Stefanie Marie Belfiore; sons, Jim Compton and David Compton of Florida; grandchildren, Monica (Quoro) Johnson, Jim Compton, David Compton, Brooke Koback; and great granddaughter, Kahalani Johnson. Visitation, 5:00PM-8:00PM, Wednesday, March 23, 2016, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Memorial Service, 1:00PM, Thursday, March 24, 2016 at The Springs Funeral Services.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Visitation Wednesday, March 23, 2016 5:00PM - 8:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Service Thursday, March 24, 2016 1:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855