Richard Graham Immig

Lt Col USAF

May 22, 1925 – February 26, 2018

Richard “Dick” Immig took his final flight to the Big Base in the sky on February 26, 2018. Now he can fly forever.

He was born to August C. Immig and Ethel Churchill Immig near Poughkeepsie, New York. He grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey where he loved the outdoors, nature and flying. His father was a WW1 pilot. He graduated from pilot training in the same class as James F. Doolittle. His mother was a close cousin of Sir Winston Churchill.

Dick entered the Army Air Corp when he reached his 18th birthday, having graduated from Bernard’s High School at the age of 17. He flew B25’s in the ending months of WWII. He soon started flying jet fighters in Col. Robin Olds F-86 Fighter Squadron. He volunteered for combat in Korea and flew as Robin Olds wing man.

He went through the training program and after five jumps qualified as a paratrooper, receiving his wings. He was a Lead Crewman for his combat in Korea. He served in two overseas tours in Japan and Taiwan, later a two year exchange tour serving with the RAF at Odiham RAF Base, England. During the period he formed and led the RAF Formation Aerobatic Team named the Black Knights flying the Hawker Hunter Aircraft. He always spoke of the time as “The Best Years of my Life”.

They performed at Farnborough, England, Geneva, Switzerland Airshows for numerous Heads of States and performed a special show for Princess Margaret to celebrate her birthday upon her request.

He earned both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from George Washington University.

He retired after 24 years in the Air Force and was employed by Cities Service Oil Company on Wall Street, New York City when he served in the position of Vice President for computer operations.

When he retired from Cities Service, he and his devoted red headed wife, Sonia moved to Colorado where they built a home on top of a mountain. They saw the need for medical care in Park County. They entered the long period of schooling and became an Emergency Medical Technicians and ran High Country Ambulance Service. Dick studied for an additional year becoming an EMT 1 rating of Advanced Cardiac Life Support. There were eight EMTs and a Paramedic on the High Country Ambulance Service. He and Sonia retired from this after almost nine years. Sonia “The Great Love of My Life” shared fifty years of his full life, and enjoyed every day of it.

Dick was a Boy Scout, a Fighter Pilot, a Wall Street Executive, and an Artist working in both oils and water colors, which was a great joy to him, an Emergency Medical Technician earning his Wings flying with Flight for Life from St. Francis Hospital, a Mason from the Masonic Temple in New Jersey, a devoted Husband and Father, and Grandfather. He was an excellent skier, swimmer, a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the Daedalians, and The Pikes Peak Computer Applications Society.

Dick and Sonia traveled throughout Europe and the United States. Traveling brought them great joy.

He is survived by his wife Sonia, two daughters Lori Anne (Craig) Hibbert of New Jersey. Lori was born at West Point Military Academy, New York. Kim Alyn (Dr. Craig) Parker of Arizona. Kim was born at Chiseldon Highworth, England while Dick was serving with the RAF. He is survived by three grandchildren, Graham Parker, Dr. Lauren Churchill Parker, and Rachel Parker. He loved them all dearly. He had many friends.

A Military Funeral Service and Inurnment will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 10:15am, Staging Area “C”.

“Oh! I have slipped the surly Bonds of Earth put out my hand and touched the face of God.”