Richard Ellsworth Ferguson

Richard E. Ferguson passed from this life to heaven on January 16, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Muriel Ferguson, brothers Roger, Robin and Russell; and sister-in-law, Betty.

He is survived by his Daughters, Kim (Tom), and Tammy (Doug); Grandchildren Kylee (Chris), Zach, Sarah and Drake; Great-Grandchildren Jordyn and Addie; Sister, Wendy, Sister-in-law, Dolores; Nieces and Nephews and his very good friend, Theresa.

Born in Syracuse NY, Rick was raised in Pennsylvania and New York. He was a graduate of Clarkson College of Technology, where he served as ROTC Cadet Colonel and was a member of the Tau Beta Pi and Eta Cappa Nu Engineering Honor Societies. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corps, he became an accomplished pilot, flying the Otter and Birddog. He served a tour in Viet Nam flying reconnaissance. Later, he became a UH-1 Huey helicopter pilot. Mid career, he took the opportunity to earn his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Arizona. He had tours in South Korea, Fort Monmouth NJ, Air Command and Staff College, the Pentagon and his final post, Battalion Commander at Fort Rucker AL. He was a charter member of the Army Aviation Branch formed in 1983.

Rick had a love for traveling, camping, reading and learning. He tackled several languages including Italian, German, Russian, Korean and Spanish. He taught English as a second language classes. He served the Catholic Church as a lector both in English and Spanish and supported many Cursillo Retreats. Throughout his career he assisted others in the advancement of their own careers. He was an AA Sponsor to many during his decades of sobriety. He was a flight instructor and also provided boating safety lessons through the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was a woodworker and a lapidarist.

He always planned his return to Arizona for retirement and lived in Tucson the last 20 years. While it was his home base, he traveled thousands of miles around this country visiting friends and family everywhere he went. He never met a stranger.