Richard Oscar Abderhalden, Sr., 87, passed away peacefully at home with his family in Urbana, IL, on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

Richard was born in West New York, NJ, on December 22, 1930, to Henry and Philipina Abderhalden. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise Abderhalden, formerly Kickery, of Interlaken, MA; daughter, Debra Mankin and husband Phil; sons, Richard Abderhalden, Jr. and wife Jennifer; and Douglas Abderhalden and wife Angela. Four grandchildren, Glen (and wife Tamara), Richard, Katie, and Haley, and 1 great-grandchild, Keira, also survive him.

In his youth, Richard was an excellent marksman and archer, winning multiple area championships. After graduating in 1948 from Lee High School in Massachusetts, he began a long career involving aviation and electronics as he served in the U. S. Air Force and retired as MSgt after 20 years. During his Air Force career, he served in England, the Philippines, Viet Nam, South Korea, and seven different states. He retired from the Air Force to Urbana, IL, where he worked for 17 years with the Federal Aviation Administration maintaining the instrument landing system at Willard Airport in Champaign, IL.

One of his life-long values was education, and he inspired his three children to graduate from the University of Illinois. His hobbies included tropical fish, stamp and coin collecting, and traveling with his wife and children. He will be remembered as a loving, caring husband, a wonderful father, and loyal friend.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the First Congregational Church of Lee, 25 Park Plaza, Lee, MA, 01238, with interment following at Fairmount Cemetery in Lee. A reception will be held after the burial.