Richard Abderhalden Sr., 87, of Urbana, Ill., formerly of Lee

Richard Oscar Abderhalden Sr., 87, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, peacefully at home with his family in Urbana, Illinois.

Richard Abderhalden Sr.

Richard was born Dec. 22, 1930, in West New York, New Jersey, to Henry and Philipina Abderhalden. In his youth, Richard was an excellent marksman and archer, winning multiple area championships. After graduating in 1948 from Lee High School in Massachusetts, he began a long career involving aviation and electronics as he served in the U.S. Air Force and retired as master sergeant after 20 years. During his Air Force career, he served in England, the Philippines, Viet Nam, South Korea and seven different states. He retired from the Air Force to Urbana where he worked for 17 years with the Federal Aviation Administration maintaining the instrument landing system at Willard Airport in Champaign, Illinois.

One of his lifelong values was education, and he inspired his three children to graduate from the University of Illinois. His hobbies included tropical fish, stamp and coin collecting, and traveling with his wife and children. He will be remembered as a loving, caring husband; a wonderful father; and a loyal friend.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise Abderhalden, formerly Kickery, of Interlaken, Massachusetts; daughter Debra Mankin and husband Phil; sons Richard Abderhalden Jr. and wife Jennifer, and Douglas Abderhalden and wife Angela; four grandchildren: Glen and wife Tamara, Richard, Katie and Haley; and one great-grandchild: Keira.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at the First Congregational Church of Lee, 25 Park Plaza, Lee, MA, 01238, with interment following at Fairmount Cemetery in Lee. A reception will be held after the burial.