Richard Chase Obituary

Richard Ralph Chase

Dec 26, 1935 - Sep 4, 2025

Willard

Richard Ralph Chase, 89, of Willard, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025, at The Willows at Willard. He was born December 26, 1935, in Norwalk, to the late Herman Mason and Olive (Earle) Chase, the oldest of five siblings.

Richard was a 1953 graduate of Willard High School and was a member of Grace Methodist Church. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard for 13 years and was a pilot for American Airlines for almost 30 years. Richard began his Air Force career as an Aviation Cadet and received a reserve commission as a 2nd Lt. He then attended navigator school and was assigned as a C-118 Navigator at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. He was later selected to attend undergraduate pilot training and then trained as a C-130 pilot. After C-130 training, he was assigned to Charleston AFB, South Carolina. He left active duty to join American Airlines but served another three years flying KC-97 tankers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the Wisconsin ANG. His commercial career with American Airlines spanned almost 30 years. He was primarily based at Chicago's O'Hare Airport but spent time at American's training facility in DFW as an instructor and later fleet manager of the 757/767 fleet when he retired. At American he flew B-727, B-707, MD-80, DC-10, and B757/767. Locally, he was a business partner in a flying service and later, a gas station.

In Texas, where he retired, he flew a Commonwealth Sky Ranger and his 1942 Stearman biplane, complete with helmet and goggles. He was a beloved Sunday School teacher, an accomplished storyteller, and well-known for his dry sense of humor. He enjoyed his family and friends and loved sharing his deep faith in God. He had the joy of sharing 60 years with his wife, and knowing his kids and grandkids also know Christ. He was especially courageous and loving in the last years of his life. A special thanks to the staff at The Willows at Willard, who not only took exceptional care of him but also loved him and treated his family as their own.

He is survived by his son, Richard (Jean) Chase II of Celeryville; daughter, Ginny Chase of Willard; two grandchildren, Brad (Mako) Chase of Kyoto, Japan, and Amy Chase (Joel) Ashley of Canal Winchester; two sisters, Grace Chase Vance and Dorothy "Dottie" Chase Turner; as well as a sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; two brothers, Robert Chase and John Chase; and several in-laws.

Visitation will be from 3-4 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2025, at Grace Methodist Church in Willard. Memorial service will follow at 4 p.m., with Pastor Mike Leonard and Pastor Steve Anderson officiating.

Memorial contribu-tions may be made to Grace Methodist Church or The Willows at Willard.

Online condolences may be made to Richard's family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com.