Major Richard Earl Miskin, USAF, Retired

Major Richard E. Miskin, USAF (Retired) World War II veteran and retired Army and Air Force Exchange Service executive, Richard Earl Miskin died on Nov. 6, 2015 after nearly 89 years of a life well-lived with service, adventure, music and passion. He was born in Akron, Ohio, on Nov. 25, 1926, and grew up in Barberton, where his father, Demeter Miskin, was a successful businessman. Richard learned to play the violin from his mother Elizabeth, later added the clarinet and saxophone, and played in local orchestras. Graduating in 1944, Richard was selected for an Army Specialized Training Program at Purdue University. He later completed basic training at Camp Fanin, Texas, where he became an Expert Marksman, and then served as an Instructor. In 1945, he was sent to southern Italy with the 622nd Army and Air Force Band. He was later assigned to the military replacement depot and ran the base messaging center at Capodichino, AAB. Then-Staff-Sergeant Miskin married Jole Costa on Oct. 9, 1947, in Naples. In 1948, Richard was selected to attend the new USAF's Officer Candidate School at Lackland AFB, and in 1959 returned to OCS as an Instructor. He served in command positions with Detachments and Squadrons in Europe as well as filled Wing level staff functions supporting HQ USAFE. Following a distinguished career as both an NCO and Commissioned Officer, he retired from active duty in 1965 in Wiesbaden, Germany. He then joined AAFES as Chief of Personnel, Administration and Training of the Libya Area Exchange at Wheelus AFB, Tripoli. He held executive positions in San Bernardino, Colorado Springs, Louisville and Dallas. He retired from AAFES in 1982 to Colorado Springs and became an avid golfer. Richard and Jole moved to Gainesville, Va. in 2000. After 60 years of marriage, Jole died in 2008. Richard moved to Orlando in 2015, where he died. A proud, loving and generous man who was dedicated to his family, Richard will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his sisters: Charlotte (Robert) Mains, Eleanor Fithian, and Patricia Chambers; children, Donna (Norman) Abramson, Gail (John) Brugger, and Richard D. (Carol) Miskin; grandchildren Kevin (Samantha) Brail, Erin (David) McDonald, Christiane (Dan Cutler) Wurmstedt, Ryan (Vanessa) Miskin, Jennifer (Ben) Cass, and Kelly Brugger; great- grandchildren: Stella Brail, Connor, Camryn and Reese McDonald, Ida Cutler, and Charlotte Cass. On March 18, 2016, Richard will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with Jole. A service will begin promptly at 12:45 p.m. at Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer with full military honors. Please allow time to clear security at the Hatfield Gate. Donations may be made to the DAV (Disabled American Veteran) Charitable Service Trust.

Major Richard Earl Miskin, USAF, Retired

November 25, 1926 - November 6, 2015