Richard Guy Bryant

Richard Guy Bryant entered into eternal rest on October 5, 2010 in Green Valley, Arizona. Richard Guy Bryant was born February 17, 1933 in Joplin Missouri to Robert and Nadine Bryant. Dick's family moved to Ajo, Arizona when he was a small boy, where he spent his spare time during his school years actively involved in sports, camping, hunting, fishing, and Boy Scouting, and served as the President of the Ajo HS student body. Dick became an Eagle Scout and went on to earn the Silver Palm designation, the highest level possible. His interest in outdoor activities, worldwide travel and service to family, church, community and his country continued throughout his military and management careers and into retirement.

 

After graduation from Ajo HS, Dick continued his education at the University of Arizona and the US Naval Academy (taking a commission in the US Air Force upon graduation in 1956) and subsequently received a Masters Degree in Engineering from the U of A. Dick flew numerous missions as a navigator and held a commercial pilot license and served in a variety of other roles during his 20 years on active and in reserve status in the Air Force, including work on re-entry vehicles in the Space and Missile Systems Organization at the Hughes Aircraft Company.

 

He was also involved in humanitarian flights to the Congo, support of UN activities, taught High School math and sciences for two years and served for two years as Director of Administration on Wake Island. Dick returned to Ajo in the mid-70's, initially managing a dairy distribution business and then worked as an engineer for Phelps Dodge Mining Company. He was active in Rotary International and several other community organizations.

 

Dick married his high school sweetheart Nancy Harris Hill in 1976 and they owned and operated the Ajo Dairy Queen. In the early 90's, they moved to Green Valley and continued to enjoy RV traveling in the US, frequent trips to their cabin in Cholla Bay and additional foreign travel. Dick retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel in 1993. He enjoyed films and reading, and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Despite serious health problems in the past few years, Dick dedicated his energy and attention to his and Nancy's extensive blended families and close friends, all of whom will miss his quiet sense of humor and insight into current events. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Robert Hunter Bryant. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Nancy Bryant; daughter, Kathleen Faubion (Robert) and step-daughter, Suzanne Maya; step-son, Bob Hill (Jenny); sister, Sandy Bryant; half-sister, Dorothy Westerland (Frank); six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many other relatives and close family friends and his loyal poodle Gigi.