Lt. Col. Richard Unger July 9,1925 - April 15,2016 Beloved Father and FiddlerLt. Col. Richard Unger (USAF Retired) passed away April 15, 2016 at Yuma Regional Medical Center at the age of 90. Devoted husband & father; he joins his wife Shirley June in the Lords heavenly embrace. They were married sixty four+ years.Dick was born on July 9, 1925 in St. Louis, MO to Chesley Howard & Ruth Unger. Dick began his military career in 1945 serving in the
Army Air Corps as Navigator of B-24, C-47 & B-17 aircraft. He became a bombadeer during the
Korean War, working his way to the rank of Lt. Col and base comptroller before retiring in 1969. Dick built two homes, flew his own Piper Cub plane, built & drove his own stagecoach to a six horse hitch, collected Indian artifacts & raised champion Appaloosa show horses. Dick enjoyed collecting & restoring buggies, wagons, old guns, stage coaches & horseless carriages; from antique Ford Model T's to classic Packards. He also drove his Appy team & stagecoach in the Hwy 50 Hangtown wagon train to Old Sacramento. Dick rode proudly in Indian costume in the 1975 Pasadena Rosebowl Parade with Shirley. Dick & Shirley ran a popular antique store in Tensed, ID & enjoyed being "snowbirds" to Yuma until they became full time residents here. Dick enjoyed playing his fiddle western bands, in Foothills jam sessions with friends & was a popular member in the SW Old Time Fiddlers Assoc.. A fine Christian man, Dick played violin for every Sunday Service at his church. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather & brother, Dick is survived by brothers Ven Bob & Arthur Unger; sister Mary Jean Meadows; daughter Laura Reid; son Richard Paul Unger; grandson Sean Michael Perry; Great grandson Tristan Conner Perry; and great granddaughter Madeleine Clair. For the musical memories you made, and the joyful times we had, we'll love & miss you forever. A memorial service will be held this Sunday May 15 at 4 PM at the Community Christian Church. 6480 E. US Hwy 95.
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