Col. Richard J. Noble, USA, Ret., 97, of Columbia, died on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Born on June 15, 1915, in Tutuila, American Samoa, he was a son of the late Albert M. and Elenor Myatt Noble.

Col. Noble served with distinction in the US Army Dental Corps for 32 years, retiring from active duty in July, 1970. Among other awards, he received the Bronze Star for meritorious service in WWII and was a proud member of the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. He was stationed at various posts in Germany, Puerto Rico, and Japan, as well as at Ft. Meade, MD, Ft. Bragg, NC, and Ft. Lewis, WA, before retiring from Ft. Jackson and settling in Columbia.

Col. Noble graduated from Wofford College and remained a loyal Terrier, while also rooting for Clemson and USC (when they weren't facing Clemson). He received his DDS from Atlantic Christian, now Emory University, School of Dentistry. Known affectionately as "Mickey," he and his bride of 74 years, Eva Mae Daniels of Gaffney, SC, traveled extensively during their long retirement, visiting over 40 countries.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Eva Mae; three children, The Rev. Mary Ann (Anthony) Pula of Cheektowaga, NY; Lt. Col. Richard J. Noble. Jr. USA, Ret. of Woodbridge, VA; and Barbara (John) Hastings of Arlington, TX; 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Louis Dye. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Olivia Noble; and sister and brothers-in-law, Mary (James) Phelps, and sister, Ann Dye.

The funeral service for Col. Noble will be held 11 o'clock Friday, November 9, 2012, at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia. Burial will follow at noon at Fort Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KA or to Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia, SC 29206.