Col. Richard Gimmi, US Air Force (Ret.)

Colonel Richard F. B. “Dick” Gimmi, Jr., USAF (Ret.) of Columbia, South Carolina was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 6, 1921. Dick was swept up in an era that romanticized airplanes. He took his first flight in an airplane along with his sister, Lois in 1937. In 1940 during his sophomore year at college in Pennsylvania he enrolled in the U.S. sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program and earned his private pilot license. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor he and his roommate, Russ Megonegal, left Franklin and Marshall College and joined the Army Air Corps. Dick attended flight training, earned his Army Air Corps pilot wings and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1943. In 1944 during WWII he flew 70 combat missions as a B-25 pilot with the 57th Bomb Wing based out of Corsica. Following WWII Dick met the love of his life, Marie V. Bittner, on a blind date arranged by his sister. They married on October 12, 1946. After Dick graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and a brief stint with General Motors, in 1949 he was recalled to active duty in the United States Air Force. Among multiple assignments during a military career lasting 34 years, he did a tour in 1957 with the 58th Fighter Bomber Wing at Osan Air Base, Korea where he flew the F-86 Sabre Jet. In 1966 he completed a combat assignment with the 388th Tactical Wing in Korat, Thailand where he flew 117 F-105 Thunderchief missions over North Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. Dick retired from the Air Force in 1975 and he and Marie made their home in Columbia, S.C. After graduating with a second Masters Degree from The University of South Carolina in 1977 (first from UVA), Dick was employed as a Career Counselor at USC before his selection as the Dean of Student Services at Midlands Technical College. Dick and Marie joined and remained active members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Through their years in Columbia they participated in various community and neighborhood activities including those at their most recent home of Wildewood Downs. In 2016 Dick joined the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association where he “Legend“ enjoyed new fellowship and riding his Can-Am Spyder. As of 2017 he was seen out and about driving his brand new red Mustang convertible. Dick lived a “truly full and blessed life”. He died at age 97 on April 19, 2018. Dick is survived by his cherished wife of 71, years Marie; sister, Lois Lepley; daughter, Michel Lee (Jim); sons, Richard Gimmi, Russell Gimmi (Kathryne), Robert Gimmi (Anu). He is survived by three grandsons, Jamie Lee, Brien Lee, Ryan Gimmi and granddaughter Angela Gimmi. Dick is also survived by life long friend, Russ Megonegal. The service for Col. Gimmi will be held 2 o’clock, Monday, May 7th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia, with Dr. Tony Metze officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 o’clock, as well as a reception following the service. Burial with military honors will be held 3 o’clock, Tuesday, May 8th at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

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Col. Richard Gimmi, US Air Force (Ret.)

April 6, 1921 - April 19, 2018