Colonel Richardson (Dick) Hiller Crook (Ret.) of Fredericksburg died Monday, June 2nd, 2008 while happily working on his beloved barn on his property in Fredericksburg, Texas. He was 72. His parents Harriet Hiller Crook and Henry Montague Crook preceded Dick in death. Dick is survived by his wife, Grace Crook and children Jeff Crook and wife, Cyndi of Columbus, OH; Kris Cirone and husband Matt of Cincinnati, OH; Gary Crook and wife, Karen of Louisville, KY; Kristy Brazell and husband Tres of San Antonio, TX. His 10 grandchildren also survive him. His sister, Ann Gill of Boerne, TX and brother, Monte Crook and wife, Virginia of Phoenix, AZ and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive Dick. Dick was born October 23rd, 1935, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He graduated from high school in Orlando, Florida, in June 1953. He received his BS degree in Business from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina in June 1957. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, he became a flight instructor, he served two tours in Vietnam and he was honored with a Purple Heart. Throughout his career, he received 3 Silver Stars, 2 distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 6 Meritorious Service Medals, 13 Air Medals, 11 Outstanding Unit Awards, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze stars, a Small Arms Marksmen Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Air Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Chinese Pilot Wings. He retired as a Colonel at Holloman AFB in New Mexico in April 1987. He went on to teach ROTC at Valley High School in Albuquerque, NM for the next 14 years retiring in 2001. After his second retirement, he moved to Fredericksburg, Texas in 2002. He is our hero. Internment with full Air Force Military honors will be at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Pallbearers: Gary Crook, Jeff Crook, Tres Brazell, Matt Cirone, Rolan Laird, Gary Wilcox, Monte Crook, John Rincon, Bob Fondino Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the SCHAETTER FUNERAL HOME OF FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths. Published in the Charleston Post & Courier on 6/12/2008. Tags: 1957
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