LTC Richard D. Bunn USA (Retired)Cullum: 26026 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: K1 Date of Birth: April 2, 1943 Date of Death: January 6, 2017 Died in: Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA Interred: Cremated - View or Post a Eulogy |
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Richard Dexter “Rick” Bunn was born April 2, 1943 in Nyack, NY to Eyre and Dorothy Bunn. Rick’s family, which included his sister, Patricia, resided in Southern California. After graduating from Glendale High School in 1961, Rick received a principal appointment to West Point, Class of 1965, from the late Congressman H. Allen Smith. While a cadet, Rick was a member of the Sky Diving Club and a proud member of the Century Club. Whoever wrote the caption that appears with his picture in the Howitzer captured a trait that would identify Rick his entire life, “…a sunny California disposition that never failed to win the friendship and respect of classmates.”
He was commissioned in the Air Defense Artillery with his first duty station in Okinawa, where he and wife, Donna Beach Bunn, welcomed their daughter, Sheryl Lynn. While in Okinawa he was transferred to the island of Tokashiki and, as a first lieutenant, was the senior officer on the island. He referred to that as his “dream assignment.” Prior to a field artillery tour in Vietnam, he attended the Air Defense Officer Advanced Course at Fort Bliss, TX, where son Robert Charles joined the family. A 1972-75 tour at Red Stone Arsenal came after obtaining a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Rick’s last active-duty assignment was with an ADA battalion in Alaska. After leaving active duty in 1976 Rick continued to serve in the Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1996.
His primary civilian employment was with an ocean transportation company located in Tacoma, WA that specialized in moving materials back and forth between Alaska and the Lower 48. While with the firm Rick earned an MBA from Puget Sound University. After retiring from civilian employment, Rick and Donna relocated to Arizona in 2006. While living in Arizona, he organized a yearly gathering of Arizona classmates; all attendees felt welcomed and important. Rick enjoyed road trips and attended East Coast class golf outings from Arizona by auto—he travelled that way because he enjoyed it!
In 2010 Rick was approached by classmates to serve as the class scribe, but he was reluctant, claiming he did not have the skills for the job. With promises of backup and cover he accepted the job. Almost immediately it became obvious that he clearly possessed the skills as well as the enthusiasm for the position. His “Bunnograms” quickly became the medium through which the class stayed connected. Bunnograms were frequent, vibrant, humorous and a much-appreciated link with classmates as their days of active duty and civilian employment became memories. Many eulogies submitted by classmates started by saying they did not know Rick as a cadet, but through his work as class scribe he reconnected them with the class. The demise of WPAOG’s alumni magazine ASSEMBLY led Rick to share class notes via email, which allowed more timely sharing of class news.
Classmate eulogies spoke of his quick wit, his friendship for all, his infectious smile, and his sense of duty. Classmate Bob Axley’s description of Rick’s impact is most apt: “His service to our class was constant. Bunnograms became recognizable fixtures in our lives. Rick was thorough and relentless in informing all of us about our classmates’ activities. Through him we stayed in touch, and by that connection our bonds were strengthened.” His sense of duty was well known, but it became clear in his last Bunnogram, dictated to his wife the day before he died, January 6, 2017. It read in part:
My dear friends, I’m so sorry to be sending this email but I am fairly certain it is my last one. I am currently in Madigan Hospital in Washington state and have been diagnosed with a terminal respiratory illness, which they cannot identify. I have chosen to share my condition with you as a show of my respect and appreciation for all the support you have given me over the years. Six-and one-half years ago as we were approaching our 50th reunion John Mogan and Fred Laughlin approached me on numerous occasions to take on the job of scribe for this amazing class. I fought them tooth and nail and I knew it wasn’t for me. Wrong! I have loved this job from the outset, and it has been a huge support to me and the highlight of my time with this amazing class. I’m sorry that I will probably not be able to respond to the many messages of support that I have received. I love you all as brothers and friends and could not have asked for a better connection with the class at this time in my life. I am so proud and humbled by your acceptance of me as one of the band of brothers and hopefully a contributing part of it. With that I will say farewell. It has been an incredible pleasure and honor to serve this class.
Rick was survived by his wife, Donna Charlene (Beach) Bunn; by his daughter, Sheryl Lynn Blumberg, her husband, Thomas Blumberg and their daughters, Lily Michele and Chloe Mae; by his son, Robert Charles Bunn, and his daughters, Sara Jessica and Angela Michelle; and by his sister Patricia Duback, and niece, Shannon Cline. His son, Robert, later died unexpectedly in 2022.
Rick served his family, his country, his fellow man, and his classmates with distinction. Rick was indeed a contributing member of the Class of 1965. His work on earth is done, and it can truly be said: “Well Done; Be Thou at Peace.”
— Patrick Kenny, USMA ’65
