Richard Caldwell (Dick) Lee, 91, of San Angelo went to meet his heavenly father on June 22, 2022. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2506 Johnson St., with Craig Meyers officiating. Dad was born September 13, 1930, on the family farm near Cross Creek, Pennsylvania, to Leroy and Eleanor Caldwell Lee. He enlisted in the Air Force April 5, 1952. In a five-year period he went from working the fields with a horse-drawn plow to flying a KC-97, an aerial refueling tanker. He and his crew survived a plane crash in Alaska, and he jokingly recalled that they probably set a speed record as they dashed away for the crash site through waist deep snow. He always said "any landing you could walk away from is a good landing." Dad was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1961, after 9 years of service as a pilot with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was married to Ruth Dunbar on December 26,1953 and they traveled extensively in the US as well as overseas. Their overseas adventures included Spain, Czechoslovakia, Scotland, Austria and Switzerland. He enjoyed many adventures during their road trip to Alaska in their motor home and when they pulled a 32-foot recreational vehicle to the Arctic Circle. Dad's passion for flying continued into his civilian life. He was a private pilot for a company in the northeast and worked in San Antonio as an air traffic controller. He was a member of the Confederate Air Force, now the Commemorative Air Force, for several years and loved the old war birds. He particularly enjoyed flying a plane to Pennsylvania and Arizona with his family aboard. His son Richard remembers working with his dad at Lee Recreational Vehicles and Mobile Home Sales from 1968 to 1983. He said he learned work ethic and honesty from his dad. There was even some time for fun, too, Richard recalled, especially during their participation in the river raft races on the Concho. Dad was an active member of the Wool Capitol Region Antique Car Club of San Angelo. He drove his1941 Packard in many parades and attended many car shows. He completed three long antique car races across America in the Great Race with his daughter Becky Wilson and his granddaughter Kelly McClendon as his navigators. His daughter Nancy was the chase crew and cheering squad. The Great Race gave us so many incredible memories of time spent with dad that we still laugh about those good times, said Becky. Dad was a good provider and loved his family. He attended countless band concerts, halftime shows and basketball games. He helped his children and grandchildren maintain their cars, and he would do anything to keep the love of his life, Mom, happy. He was a great man from a great generation and he will be missed. Survivors include three children Richard S Lee and his wife Judy of Austin, Becky Wilson and husband Alan of San Angelo and Nancy Hannifin of Austin. Grandchildren include Chris Lee, Dawn Pitts, Kelly McClendon, Dusty Organ, Sarah Malone as well as 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 57 years, Ruth Dunbar Lee, and his much loved Pekingese, Tiger. The family would like to express our appreciation to dad's many caregivers, Kindred at Home and Kindred Hospice as well as Visiting Angels, Lyndale and Regency House. Many thanks to our friends who have kept us in their prayers. In lieu of flowers the family suggest you plant a tree or contribute to a charity of your choice.

Posted online on July 07, 2022

Published in San Angelo Standard-Times