Richie was stationed at Edwards AFB CA at the time of his death. He was assigned as a Flight Test Engineer, a 'Utilization' Tour following MS Aero training at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Richie was on his way to the prestigious Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River Maryland NAS. He was killed during his U-8 Transition Training when he and his IP got into bad weather. He was a devoted husband to Carol and father to his children. He now rests in peace with the Lord.