Richard Gilbert Perreault

LTC (Ret.) Richard “Dick” G. Perreault, 80, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026, with his two sisters, Joanna and Melinda, and his long-time friend Patti by his side at Chandler Regional Hospital after a prolonged illness.

Dick was born and raised in Putnam, CT to his parents Raymond A. Perreault of Putnam, CT and Minnie Lee (Carter) of Burlington, NC. He graduated from Putnam High School in 1964 and received his commission through ROTC at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, where he earned a degree in civil engineering in 1968. He began his military career in the United States Army, beginning as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers and retired as LTC in April 2006. He was stationed in Schweinfurt and Kitzingen Germany and Seoul, Korea. After active military service, he moved to Tempe, AZ in 1976 to teach ROTC at Arizona State University where he also attained his Master’s Degree. In 1980 he joined the Army Reserves from 1980 until he retired from the Reserves in1992. Among the medals he earned over the years were The National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Following his years of military service, he was employed by the Flood Control District of Maricopa County from 1980 until his retirement in Feb. 2006.

Dick had an immense love of travel and history. During his time in Europe, he had the opportunity to visit Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, England, and Ireland. Upon his retirement in 2006, he bought an RV and rescued a French poodle (Jake) and with friends got to see more of the U.S. He also loved to cruise and followed the NASCAR races and enjoyed a few beers in his day, especially at Oktoberfest in Munich.

He is survived by his sisters, Joanna (Al) Teran of Chandler, AZ, and Melinda (Tom) Forella of Burlington, CT, as well as his beloved nieces and nephews Nicole (Jeremy) Conoway, Brian Teran, Michelle Forella (Dustin), Alicia (Zak) Earley, and Timothy Forella; and also his companion of many years, Patti Vaught. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Minnie Perreault.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at a later date at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON’S RESEARCH, website link at michaeljfox.org.