Obituary of Richard Thomas Day

<b>Obituary</b> Colonel Richard T. Day, MD passed away Thursday, August 11, 2011. He was born March 10, 1924 to the late Wilbur and Isabel Kilgore Day. He is survived by his wife, Geni Ward Day; two daughters, Jane Day Loter and Mary Elizabeth Day McBride; two brothers, Bertram and William Day; one sister, Isabelle Day; and 14 grandchildren Jarem Paul Day, Emily Jane Loter, David Michael Loter, Jr. and Thomas McBride, Jr. He was also loved for many years by five Ward step children and 10 Ward grandchilren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane and his son, Thomas Day. Richard entered the University of Iowa in 1941 for the Pre-medical curriculum. Enlisted in the R.O.T.C. (Advanced on December 8, 1942), until April 1943. When called to active duty for Basic Training in the Tank Corps, U.S. Army at Ft. Knox, KY. He then returned to University of Iowa in September, 1943 to complete pre-medical studies. In May, 1944, he was assigned to Fitzsimmons General Hospital, in Denver, CO. where he stayed for 6 months. He married Mary Jane Crisman and returned to begin studies in College of Medicine, S.U.I. in October, 1944 under the auspices of the U.S. Army Specialized Training Corps (Medical). At the end of two school years he was discharged from active duty. He subsequently enlisted in the R.O.T.C. (Medical) and upon graduation was commissioned as a 1Lt. U.S.A., M.C. He served for a 15 month internship at Oliver General Hospital, in Augusta, Georgia. He was discharged from active duty in July, 1949 and went to Hampton, IA to join Dr. Frank Silberts in a general medical practice. Dr. Silberts passed away two years later, and he practiced solo until he was drafted into the Air Force in August, 1954. He was given the rank of Captain. Richard commanded the 10th TAC Hospital, Spangdahlem AB, Germany until July, 1957. He was then commissioned as a Regular Officer (USAF) and was assigned to Johns Hopkins, School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, and was awarded a Masters of Public Health degree in June, 1958. He then attended the Advanced Course of Aviation Medicine, Randolph AFB, and the Residency, Aerospace Medicine, at Brooks AFB, TX until July, 1960.Next came assignments as a Deputy Hospital Commander, Otis, AFB, MA; Hospital Commander, Larson, AFB, WA, 3rd Air Division Surgeon, Anderson AFB, Guam; Preventive Medicine Officer, Hq,PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI; Inspector, Aerospace Medicine, USAF Inspector General Norton AFB, CA; Surgeon, 9th AF, Shaw AFB, SC; Hospital Commander, Hamilton, AFB, CA; Hospital Commander, Ellsworth AFB, SD; and lastly Chief, Division of Physical Standards Management, Office of the Surgeon, USAF Military Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, TX. He served in the grade of Colonel for 14 years and retired in 0-6 grade with 30 years, 1 month, and 21 days of active duty on Nov. 1, 1980. In retirement, he had elected to do things that he had not previously had an opportunity to do. He bought an acreage in Universal City, TX. He had a 1 acre garden, honey bees, rabbits, Australian Shepherd dogs, geese, and Registered Polled Hereford Cattle. In 1984 he married Geni Ward, a native-speaking German language instructor, who has recently retired from the faculty of St. Mary's University in San Antonio. They traveled extensively in Europe as well as in the States. He sang in a German language choir, and played trumpet and alto horn in a concert band. He was also a certified election judge for Bexar County, dedicated to preserving the purity of the Texas election process. <b>Funeral Information</b> Private Graveside Service will be Friday, August 19th, 2011 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery.