Dr. Richard E. Whaley, Colonel, USAF, Ret., passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 3.
He was born in Bicknell on July 30, 1940 to Ralph and Virginia (Fleming) Whaley.
Dr. Whaley was preceded in death by his parents.
Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Alice (Tewalt) Whaley; daughter Julie Lawrence and her husband, Mike, of Newburgh; son James Whaley and his wife, Heather, of Vincennes; and daughter Amanda Green and her husband, Benjy, of Prosper, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Drew Lawrence and wife Christina; Brett Lawrence and wife Allie; Nick Lawrence, Ben Green, Zach Green, Kate Parsons and Emma Whaley. His sisters and their husbands, Charlene and David Lory, and Marge and Don Bilskie also survive.
Dr. Whaley graduated from Lincoln High School, Vincennes University, Indiana University Bloomington and the Indiana University School of Dentistry. He practiced dentistry in Vincennes for 35 years, and served as consulting dentist for the Vincennes Schools for more than twenty years. Following his retirement, he served as an instructor in the Dental Hygiene Clinic at USI. He was a member and past president of the Knox County Dental Society, and a member of the Indiana and American Dental Associations.
Parallel to his dental career, Dr. Whaley served thirty years with the Indiana Air National Guard and is a graduate of the Air War College. Prior to entering dental school, Dr. Whaley served seven years of active duty with the U.S. Army as a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot. He was assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Div. in Vietnam, 1966-67. Among the citations received for his service in Vietnam were the Bronze Star, and the Air Medal with 26 clusters. He retired from the Indiana Air National Guard on July 30, 2000, with the rank of Colonel, and was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Dr. Whaley was a member of First United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge #1, and The Hadi Shrine. He was active in Boy Scout Troop #273 for more than 25 years. He was a member, and past president, of the Board of Directors of Wabash Valley Human Services. He served on the Head Start Central Policy Council.
Dr. Whaley was currently serving on the merit board of the Knox County Sheriff’s Dept. He was also affiliated with the American Legion, VFW, 40 et 8, Moose, Eagles and B.P.O.E. # 291.
In his free time, Dr. Whaley loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Salvation Army in Dr. Whaley’s memory.
Visitation with the family will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 9, at Goodwin Funeral Home, 524 Broadway, Vincennes, IN. Services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at the funeral home. Burial, with full military honors by the Indiana Army and Air National Guard Ceremonial Unit, will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Online condolences made be made at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com