Richard Ivan Koeteeuw Sr.

Richard was born December 20, 1944, to Stanley Ivan Koeteeuw and Velma Elinor (Affonso) Koeteeuw.

Rich’s life has been spent with the U.S. military defending the Constitution and American citizenry. He has lived in eight states from Hawaii to Washington D.C., and 8 foreign countries. He flew hundreds of combat missions over South Vietnam, Laos, El Salvador, Honduras, and Grenada. A Master Navigator with 1500 hours of combat flying time, Rich was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, nine Air Medals, and numerous other awards. He rose from military “dependent” and Airman Basic at age 17 to retire after 20 years of active duty as a Lt Colonel like his father (former President pilot and Squadron Commander).

Rich attended the United States Air Force Academy (CO), the University of Denver, Chapman University (CA), Texas Tech University (Lubbock), and Florida State University (Tallahassee). He earned one Bachelor’s, two Master’s, and almost two PhD degrees. He was a college professor for ten years at the US Air Force Academy, Florida State University, Hillsborough Community College, and St. Leo University (FL). As founder of the Vets Poets Society, Rich recommends poetry-writing as a superb, expressive pastime for anyone!

Survivors include his son Kenneth Koeteeuw, and many other loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son Richard “Rik” Ivan Koeteeuw II and his parents.

There are no formal services planned at this time.