Richard "Skip" Leroy Coffman, Sr.
May 9, 1938 ~ November 24, 2015
We are gathered today to honor a man who achieved EVERYTHING in life.
BIOGRAPHY
That life began May 9th, 1938, in Kinross, Iowa. He was the second child of Clyde & Sarah Coffman. Sarah was 7 months pregnant with him when his older sister died of pneumonia as an infant. Today, he leaves 3 surviving brothers (Dave to individually identify). Vance, Gary and Jim. To all of the family circles in Iowa and beyond, he was, and is still referred to, as Dick.
He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1955. He attended Iowa State University on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated in November, 1960, with degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Mathematics. He began his distinguished military career that same month.
- Military Career
He commenced Navy Flight Training in December, 1960, and immediately earned the nickname Skip (Skipper = leader). He was eventually assigned to Light Photographic Squadron Sixty-Three where he first flew the RF-8 Photo Crusader. He completed two six-month cruises to Vietnam aboard the USS Hancock (CVA-19) during this tour of duty.
He was then assigned to the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, MD (which he always referred to as Pax River). He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School as a member of Class 43. He was assigned to the Carrier Suitability Branch of the Flight Test Division and served in the capacity of project test pilot for 2 years. His principal project was the clearance of the A-7A/B aircraft, and their weapons systems, for aircraft carrier operations. Additionally, he did project work on the A-3, A-4, A-6, F-4 and F-8 aircraft. (this paragraph is absolute nuts pause and consider what it says.. wow)
In 1968, he was transferred to ??, CA and deployed again. His tour completed in Japan in 1969.
In 1969, he was released to inactive duty and was affiliated with the Naval Reserve in Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Three Zero Eight (VAQ-308) flying the A-3 aircraft out of Naval Air Station Alameda, CA.
In 1971, he returned to active duty and assigned to Light Photographic Squadron Two Zero Six out of Andrews Air Force base in ??, MD
In 1975, he was assigned to the Navy Bureau of Personnel working as Head of Reserve Officer Status Branch and later as Head of Reserve Officer Plans.
In 1978, he returned to the Light Photographic Squadron Two Zero Six as Commanding Officer. During this tour, he passed the milestone of 2, 000 flight hours in the F-8 Crusader.
In 1983, he began his final tour in the Pentagon in the office of the Secretary of the Navy in the Naval Reserve Personal Office.
He retired from the Navy as Captain in 1985.
His personal decorations include:
- 4 Air Medals
- Navy Commendation with Combat "V"
- Navy Achievement
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- National Defense
- Armed Forces Expeditionary
- Vietnam Service with 2 Stars
- Vietnam Campaign with Device
- Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Citation
One of his planes is currently on display in the Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum near Dulles Airport outside Washington, D.C. (which plane? F-8 Crusader??)
The military became family.
- Business Career
His civilian career began when he became a pilot for TWA in 1970, while also still flying Naval Reserve out of Alameda. He primarily flew Boeing 747's on international flights out of JFK Airport in NYC. He retired from TWA in 1992.
He helped wife J'Neane in her business for 15 years and eventually helped establish a restaurant with his son Conrad, which is still running in Winchester, VA
- Church/Faith ??
He was baptized and converted to Catholicism in 1963 aboard the USS Hancock while deployed in Vietnam. He spent the rest of his life devoted to the church. He was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at weekly Mass. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 2002. He was a fourth degree Knights of Columbus and served as a Grand Knight and really enjoyed being part of the Color Guard and their competitions.
The church and the Knights became family.
- Family
He was introduced to J'Neane Schmit by her sister in 1960 it was the fairy-tale love at first sight.
They were married December 28, 1963, and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary recently.
They had 4 children. Richard Jr., Cheryl, Carmen and Conrad.
At the time of his death, he had 9 grandchildren. Mitch, Mark, Mallory, Victoria, Luke, Grace, Nate, Cohen, and Darian.
Family was his basis for being.
And his immediate family is a close family all still within driving distance of each other. Family events are attended by all. He was the ultimate head of the family and shared his loving presence with us each and every day. He never missed an event that would mean something to any one he cared for not just life's big milestones, but the daily church, school or sport's event. from the stands, from the sidelines, to a campground, to a hospital. you knew he was there . no matter where he had to go to do it from Boston with Nate, to Iowa for family support. and everything in between. he was there. A constant level of support for all of his families military, church, community included.
He never complained he faced every physical, emotional and spiritual challenge with the dignity and patience that were his hallmark traits. His perseverance through his multitude of medical issues stretching over many years, were handled with class and humility.
Each of us knew he would be by our side no matter what. He quietly watched all of us grow, learning each person's inner soul. Never passing judgement simply using the wisdom within himself to know who each one of us was, and loving each one unconditionally.
He was always there a calm, deep strength that strengthened everyone around him, especially his family. A true patriarch. A man that felt he was truly blessed and grateful for the life he had and the family he was given, and for this reason, he never complained.
He was a risk-taker by nature, but he did so with a calm, humble confidence and strength a rare combo. He let his actions serve as reflections of his strongly held beliefs and values.
We will miss him and his loving presence more than words can express. He was our rock of strength, even as he was tiring in later years a testament to his willpower.
He meant the world to us..
His life list was simple:
- Serve your country with distinction. check
- Be a faithful companion and husband. check
- Be a devoted father and grandfather. check
- Carry yourself with dignity regardless of the situation. check
- Walk humbly with God when reaching Heaven. check
Join us in saluting a truly great man. he is one of God's best.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
BIOGRAPHY
That life began May 9th, 1938, in Kinross, Iowa. He was the second child of Clyde & Sarah Coffman. Sarah was 7 months pregnant with him when his older sister died of pneumonia as an infant. Today, he leaves 3 surviving brothers (Dave to individually identify). Vance, Gary and Jim. To all of the family circles in Iowa and beyond, he was, and is still referred to, as Dick.
He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1955. He attended Iowa State University on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated in November, 1960, with degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Mathematics. He began his distinguished military career that same month.
- Military Career
He commenced Navy Flight Training in December, 1960, and immediately earned the nickname Skip (Skipper = leader). He was eventually assigned to Light Photographic Squadron Sixty-Three where he first flew the RF-8 Photo Crusader. He completed two six-month cruises to Vietnam aboard the USS Hancock (CVA-19) during this tour of duty.
He was then assigned to the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, MD (which he always referred to as Pax River). He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School as a member of Class 43. He was assigned to the Carrier Suitability Branch of the Flight Test Division and served in the capacity of project test pilot for 2 years. His principal project was the clearance of the A-7A/B aircraft, and their weapons systems, for aircraft carrier operations. Additionally, he did project work on the A-3, A-4, A-6, F-4 and F-8 aircraft. (this paragraph is absolute nuts pause and consider what it says.. wow)
In 1968, he was transferred to ??, CA and deployed again. His tour completed in Japan in 1969.
In 1969, he was released to inactive duty and was affiliated with the Naval Reserve in Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Three Zero Eight (VAQ-308) flying the A-3 aircraft out of Naval Air Station Alameda, CA.
In 1971, he returned to active duty and assigned to Light Photographic Squadron Two Zero Six out of Andrews Air Force base in ??, MD
In 1975, he was assigned to the Navy Bureau of Personnel working as Head of Reserve Officer Status Branch and later as Head of Reserve Officer Plans.
In 1978, he returned to the Light Photographic Squadron Two Zero Six as Commanding Officer. During this tour, he passed the milestone of 2, 000 flight hours in the F-8 Crusader.
In 1983, he began his final tour in the Pentagon in the office of the Secretary of the Navy in the Naval Reserve Personal Office.
He retired from the Navy as Captain in 1985.
His personal decorations include:
- 4 Air Medals
- Navy Commendation with Combat "V"
- Navy Achievement
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- National Defense
- Armed Forces Expeditionary
- Vietnam Service with 2 Stars
- Vietnam Campaign with Device
- Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Citation
One of his planes is currently on display in the Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum near Dulles Airport outside Washington, D.C. (which plane? F-8 Crusader??)
The military became family.
- Business Career
His civilian career began when he became a pilot for TWA in 1970, while also still flying Naval Reserve out of Alameda. He primarily flew Boeing 747's on international flights out of JFK Airport in NYC. He retired from TWA in 1992.
He helped wife J'Neane in her business for 15 years and eventually helped establish a restaurant with his son Conrad, which is still running in Winchester, VA
- Church/Faith ??
He was baptized and converted to Catholicism in 1963 aboard the USS Hancock while deployed in Vietnam. He spent the rest of his life devoted to the church. He was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at weekly Mass. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 2002. He was a fourth degree Knights of Columbus and served as a Grand Knight and really enjoyed being part of the Color Guard and their competitions.
The church and the Knights became family.
- Family
He was introduced to J'Neane Schmit by her sister in 1960 it was the fairy-tale love at first sight.
They were married December 28, 1963, and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary recently.
They had 4 children. Richard Jr., Cheryl, Carmen and Conrad.
At the time of his death, he had 9 grandchildren. Mitch, Mark, Mallory, Victoria, Luke, Grace, Nate, Cohen, and Darian.
Family was his basis for being.
And his immediate family is a close family all still within driving distance of each other. Family events are attended by all. He was the ultimate head of the family and shared his loving presence with us each and every day. He never missed an event that would mean something to any one he cared for not just life's big milestones, but the daily church, school or sport's event. from the stands, from the sidelines, to a campground, to a hospital. you knew he was there . no matter where he had to go to do it from Boston with Nate, to Iowa for family support. and everything in between. he was there. A constant level of support for all of his families military, church, community included.
He never complained he faced every physical, emotional and spiritual challenge with the dignity and patience that were his hallmark traits. His perseverance through his multitude of medical issues stretching over many years, were handled with class and humility.
Each of us knew he would be by our side no matter what. He quietly watched all of us grow, learning each person's inner soul. Never passing judgement simply using the wisdom within himself to know who each one of us was, and loving each one unconditionally.
He was always there a calm, deep strength that strengthened everyone around him, especially his family. A true patriarch. A man that felt he was truly blessed and grateful for the life he had and the family he was given, and for this reason, he never complained.
He was a risk-taker by nature, but he did so with a calm, humble confidence and strength a rare combo. He let his actions serve as reflections of his strongly held beliefs and values.
We will miss him and his loving presence more than words can express. He was our rock of strength, even as he was tiring in later years a testament to his willpower.
He meant the world to us..
His life list was simple:
- Serve your country with distinction. check
- Be a faithful companion and husband. check
- Be a devoted father and grandfather. check
- Carry yourself with dignity regardless of the situation. check
- Walk humbly with God when reaching Heaven. check
Join us in saluting a truly great man. he is one of God's best.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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My condolences to you on Skip’s passing. He was a good man, he will be missed. Is all you and the family can do is remember the good times the Lord gave you with him. Very sad, I am sorry.
Dear J’Neanne and Family, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Skip and pray that you and your beautiful family can find solace in the fact that he is no longer suffering; and is with Our Lord in Heaven! I’ll be there for the Funeral Mass and prayed for ALL of you at Mass at Saint Raymond’s on Thanksgiving Day. HUGS! Janie
J’Neane and Family Be sure to know that we will all miss Dick. He was a great friend, classmate, and team member. We were all Blessed to have shared his life and to have been a part of his extended family. God Bless You
Aunt J, Our sincerest sympathies, thoughts, and prayers in the passing of Dick. We hope that your memories and God’s grace bring you a smile during this most difficult time for you and your family. God Bless and all of our best. Al, Stevie, Paige, & Jayden
Dearest J’Neane and family, We are so sorry are this loss. We can never be ready to lose anyone that we love. Please know that you will always be loved by your true love.