CAPT Richard Wayne Strickler, USN, (Ret.)

ENS Strickler became a Naval Aviator on November 17, 1972 at HT-18, NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, FL.  ENS Strickler was Navy Helicopter Pilot Designator Number R-12343. I took the above photo of AOC Rich Strickler as the VT-1 Flight 18 Duty Officer, Saufley Field, Pensacola, FL  in October, 1971.  Flight 18 was referred to as the “Marine Flight” at VT-1. MGBrattland

Richard “Rich” Strickler passed away on August 14, 2024, at the age of 76 in Jacksonville, Florida. Born on May 22, 1948, in Hastings, Nebraska, Rich grew up in Worland, Wyoming, graduating from Worland High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wyoming, Laramie.
Designated as a Naval Aviator in 1972, Rich dedicated 30 years of service in the United States Navy. His accomplishments include serving as the Commanding Officer of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Fifteen (HS-15), Executive Officer of the USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) and Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX. Rich should be envied for his passion for his Naval Service. He embraced his duties and travels, especially while serving on several aircraft carriers and duty in Japan. He felt like he missed nothing in life because of it. After Navy retirement he worked at USAA in Military Affairs, San Antonio, Texas. He retired to Jacksonville, Florida in 2010 to be close to family and be a dedicated Grandpa. Besides his family, his other joys were the Strickler family cabin in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, fly fishing, happy hour on Meadowlark Lake while trolling for trout, playing golf and skiing the expert slopes.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Ferrell Strickler, sons Robert Strickler (wife Amy), Mike Strickler (wife Jana); stepdaughter Kate Maggi; grandchildren, Gabrielle, Emma, and Luca; sister Barbara Strickler Groom (husband John); Uncle Harold Coe; former spouse Christine White Edgington, mother of his sons. Rich was preceded in death by his father, C.D. “Red” Strickler and mother, Eleanor Strickler.
A Memorial Service will be held 1100, September 20, 2024, at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home, 3600 Third Street South Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Inurnment of his cremated remains is planned for Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or give online at support.communityhospice.com.
Friends often heard Rich say, “Who loves ya”, I think it’s safe to say “Who loves ya Rich..Yes we all do”.

CAPT Monet Squires, USN (Ret.) File this under,” It’s a small world” category…

1940s: My pop, Dick Squires, and Rich’s dad, Carroll “Red” Strickler, were buddies in Nebraska. Dad and Red went to the same HS, played basketball together, got in fights and smoked cigarettes together. Red even asked my dad to sing at the wedding of Red and Ellie (Rich’s parents). Dad wasn’t the greatest singer but, when Red asked you to do something, you did it.

1950s: Stricklers settled in Worland, Wyoming, while the Squires family lived in Aurora, Colorado (350 miles apart). At least every other year, we’d travel to Worland or the Strickler gang would invade Aurora.

1960s: I’m playing football for the BYU Cougars and Rich is equipment manager for Wyoming Cowboy football. Same conference (WAC) so we’d see each other every year, in the fall, on the gridiron.

1970s: Pensacola, Florida, and it’s my Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) “Candidate Officer” week. As I scan the crowd of new “poopies,” who’s sweaty, pumpkin face do I see…Rich Strickler. I go over to give him a hug but the drill instructors have him “locked-up” so tightly he won’t even look at me.

1970s/80s/90s: Following flight school, my career is west coast HS and Rich is east coast HS. He eventually commands HS-15 and I’ve got HS-14 about the same time. Major Command Selection rolls around and I’ve got the HS WING in JAX while Rich commands NAS Corpus Christi.

Great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget. Richard Wayne Strickler will not be forgotten. Love you shipmate.  “RIP.”