Richard Lonneman Obituary

Richard Lonneman Mt. Pleasant - With great sadness, the family of Lieutenant Colonel Richard William Lonneman, USAF Retired, announces that he died peacefully in his Mount Pleasant, SC home on April 16, 2022 at the age of 83. Lt. Col. Lonneman was born on January 24, 1939 on the Lonneman family farm in Little Rock, Iowa to Paul and Bertha Lonneman. Richard joined the United States Air Force on Aug 12, 1957, serving with distinction for 30 years. His career as an Air Force pilot included duties in the HC54 Skymaster, C130 Hercules and the C-141 Starlifter aircrafts. From the late 1970's through his retirement, Lt. Col. Richard Lonneman participated in almost every airborne special operation of the 437th Military Airlift Command as Chief, Current Operations Officer. He served at Charleston Air Force Base for the latter half of his career. His missions included airborne transport for President Nixon's entourage to China in 1972 and multiple missions carrying US Army Delta Force, US Army Rangers, and US Navy Seals for airborne special operations. During NATO Autumn Forge War Games undertaken in Europe in 1980, Lt. Col. Lonneman was the mission commander of the all Charleston crew from the 20th Military Airlift squadron which for the first time flew a C141-B "stretched" Starlifter from the United States to Europe, dropped its cargo, refueled in the air and returned in a single non-stop flight. The exercise also marked the first-time paratroopers were flown directly from the United States to be dropped in Europe. In Operation Eagle Claw (the rescue attempt of the Iran Hostages in 1980), he and his crew developed and used special operations skills leading to perfected procedures for blacked out landings and NVG low level flight. Richard also served during Vietnam, the 1978 mission to Zaire (formerly the Congo), and the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. His many meritorious achievements, awards and decorations include the Air Medal with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Combat Readiness Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; the Humanitarian Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Devise; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Combat Airlift Mission. He was proud to serve his country and loved to do so from the cockpit of an airplane. Richard retired from the Air Force in 1987 and continued his career as a pilot with FedEx in Memphis, TN for an additional 20 years. During his 50-year career, he visited many countries and every continent. He often told his children and grandchildren that if you can get paid for what you love to do, you will never have to work a day in your life. He returned to Charleston, SC after his retirement from FedEx in 2007, where he continued to serve his community through his membership with St. Benedict Catholic Church. He loved his family and his church. He was a kind and generous person and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He enjoyed his retirement years traveling the world with his wife, Paula, becoming a master furniture craftsman, playing golf with the Dunes West Senior Men's Golf Association, and spending time playing games with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Paula, with whom he celebrated 59 years of marriage this April; his daughters, Mary Louise (Will) Barden, Marla (LTC US Army Ret. Bill) Warner, and Melissa (John) Arrambide; his sons, Konrad (Heather) Lonneman and Kyle (Tara) Lonneman; his 12 grandchildren, Eric (Laura) Barden, Justin (Lisa) Barden, Sydney (Matt) Warner, Morgan (James) Tench, Taylor Warner, 1LT US Army Cameron Warner, Tristan Lonneman, Grant (Clara) Lonneman, Olivia Lonneman, Caroline Lonneman, Samuel Lonneman, and Ryan Arrambide; his great-grandchildren, Alyssa Barden, Maddie Barden, Blake Barden, Ivy Barden, and Josie Tench; and his siblings, Elden Lonneman, Irvin (Pat) Lonneman, and Doreen (Vince) Hutterer. Mass will be celebrated Monday April 25 at 11:00 am at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant, SC with a Reception to follow in the fellowship hall at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Richard's final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are provided by Carolina Funeral Home & Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please support a U.S. veteran or make a donation to St. Benedict's Catholic Church- Building Fund, 950 Darrell Creek Trail, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston