Richard Wayne Engel
November 26, 1944 - November 20, 2025

“Li’l Dickie” entered the Academy after a short stint at the University of Tulsa. Not one to waste time, he fell in love at one of Mrs. McComas’ Doolie Tea Dances with a beautiful 17-year-old girl attending Littleton High School. Eileen and Dick remained partners throughout his Academy days and for 57 years of marriage until he succumbed to lengthy battles with sarcoma cancer and Alzheimer's disease on 20 November 2025, with Eileen and daughter Kristen at his side.

Following graduation and marriage, Dick completed pilot training at Vance AFB, OK and follow-on training at Hurlburt Field, FL en route to Tay Ninh, South Viet Nam. There he accumulated over 300 combat missions as an O-1 Sundog FAC. While Dick fought the war in Nam, Eileen organized Colorado Cares in support of POWs and MIAs. That organization’s 1970 Pledge of Faith Rally in Denver won her an invitation to meet President Nixon at the White House.

After Nam, Dick and Eileen were reunited at Carswell AFB, TX where he flew KC-135s for four years, including several Young Tiger deployments to SE Asia. Next up was a return to USAFA where he oversaw airfield operations and monitored cadet flying programs, allowing him to rack up some hours in the U-4 and UV-18. During that four year assignment, he and Eileen also found time to start their family with a son, Chad, and daughter, Kristen.

Dick was then assigned to KC-135 Ops and Training at HQ, 15th AF, March AFB, CA, then to Ops Officer duties at Ellsworth AFB, SD. His following assignment to RAF Fairford, UK provided Dick more KC-135 operational opportunities; he was one of five officers selected to rotate to Saudi Arabia to run the Tanker Task Force during the Gulf War. In 1988, a final assignment to Nellis AFB, NV found Dick in charge of the Red Flag Tanker Task Force.

After his retirement from the Air Force in 1989, he and Eileen set up household in Henderson, NV. Dick continued his aviation career, flying a Lear Jet for a local company for a few months, then joining Continental Airlines as a Flight Engineer in the 747 and later as First Officer in several 737 versions until age forced his retirement in 2004.

Dick’s devotion to Eileen was never-ending and is best reflected in his own words written several years ago: “Eileen has been the Super-Wife/Mother over the last 50 years…. She ran the household, shuttled the kids, and pursued a teaching career and eventually succeeded as one of the top realtors in the Las Vegas area.”

Those who knew Dick will not soon forget his outgoing personality, unfailing positive attitude, and ever-ready smile. Godspeed “Li’l Dickie.”                                                                            (John Rittenhouse and Ed Leonard, War Eagle 15 classmates)

We were recently informed of the passing of Dick Engel, age 81 years. He passed away in Henderson, Nevada, afrer battling Alzheimer's disease and sarcoma cancer for many years. Dick was in Cadet Squadron 11 then in Cadet Squadron 15. He leaves a wife, Eileen and two children, Chad and Kirsten. Per his request, there will be no services - please raise a toast for Dick on Thanksgiving Day.