Richard Wilhelm Shupp, 83, of O’Fallon, IL, born Saturday, December 9, 1939, in Philadelphia, PA, passed away Monday, December 19th, 2022, at Keystone Place at Richland Creek Assisted Living in O’Fallon, IL.
Before his retirement Richard worked for Jacobs Engineering (formerly Sverdrup) as a Project Engineer, Resident Engineer, and Construction Manager from 1984 until 2001. He completed construction projects in Altavista, VA; Bowling Green, KY; Ellisville, MS; Kenosh, WI, Granite City, IL; and St. Louis, MO.
Richard was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force in 1961 and retired in 1984 from the Military Airlift Command Headquarters, Scott AFB, as a Major. He obtained dual aeronautical ratings of navigator and senior pilot. He served at various locations in the United States, South Korea, and Germany as a B-52 Navigator, C-141 Pilot, HH-43 (Rescue) Helicopter Pilot, and Civil Engineering Staff Officer. He served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the USAF Meritorious Service Medal six times.
Richard earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering at Penn State University in 1961 and his MS in General Management from the University of Arkansas in 1974.
Richard was a member of Signal Hill Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL. His activities included Volunteer Administrative Assistant at St. Mark/St. George’s Financial Crisis Fund; Past President and Volunteer, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights (now closed). His memberships included the Penn State Alumni Association; Air Force Association; and Military Officers Association of America.
Richard was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who dedicated his life to his family and his country. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Loving wife of 60 years, Marilyn Shupp
- Parents, Michael and Anna, nee Andrieko, Shupp
- Sisters:
- Anna Krischker
- Kathy Dauber
- Brother, Michael Shupp
Surviving are his:
- Daughter, Karen (Steven) Tipp of Kirkland, WA
- Brother, Fred (Gloria) Shupp of Strasburg, PA
- Grandchildren, Jason and Jordyn Tipp of Kirkland WA
Memorials: Memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice in Fairview Heights, IL
Visitation: Visitation from 10:00am – 12:00pm Monday January 9, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville IL.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 12:00pm, Monday January 9, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Wiesner officiating. Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO