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.