On November 3rd, 2023, Col Richard "Dick" Dorwaldt at the age of 88 went home to his creator.  He passed in the comforts of his home.  His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life's challenges. Despite his pain Richard was a true warrior.  It has been said military men stay strong and fight until the end, which he did.  He was the faithful husband to Joan and loving father to Paul, Julie, Stephen and Susan.

Richard was born on October 18, 1935, to Henry F. Dorwaldt and Lenore Torgrimson Dorwaldt in Elgin, Illinois. The family lived in Barrington Illinois until Richard turned 4 years of age.  As opportunities became available the family moved to Minneapolis MN.  Richard attended local vocational schools in Minneapolis where he was training to become an apprentice to the newspaper world.  He was accepted into the University of Minnesota where he was an active student, in ROTC, played the drums in the band, and trained with the university's ice hockey team.  Richard graduated with a BA degree in Finance in the spring of 1959.  He then commissioned into the United States Air Force as a Finance Officer.

While at university Richard met the love of his life Joan Mikele Lein, they were married in December 1958. They had been married for 65 years.

Richard had 4 passions in life: Love of God, Love of family, Love of country and Love of sports, especially baseball.   Richard was a very involved family man.  He spent his spare time working, fixing and adding things to the family homes, building furniture for his kids, repairing cars for his children.  Richard could also be seen playing baseball with his children and neighborhood children after work.  He loved sports and passed that passion on to all his children.  Richard was a silent humble man who did more for others than most knew.  Richard also loved history and loved to travel. He bought the family a travel trailer so that he could take his family to visit many historical sites across the country.

Richard served his country honorably retiring as a Colonel after 30 years of service in the USAF in 1989.  After retirement, he challenged himself as a finance officer to multiple DACAR dealerships in the surrounding DC area. He then became a loan officer for the Appalachian Regional Commission.  At the age of 71 he finally, decided to retire from work life and he and Joan moved to San Antonio Texas, so they could become professional cruisers, and travelers.

Richard was proceeded in death by his parents Henry and Lenore Dorwaldt, his daughter Julie, son Stephen.  He is survived by his wife Joan and son Paul and daughter Susan.  He is also survived by five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Rosary to be recited at 1:00pm followed by Memorial Mass 1:30-2:30pm

St. Padre Pio Catholic Church

3843 Bulverde Pkwy, San Antonio TX, 78259

Rendering of Military Honors and Taps will conclude services at the church.

Reception will follow at 3:00pm at the Roseheart Club House

1 Roseheart, San Antonio TX 78259

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MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, please think to donate to these charities that were close to Richard's heart:

-The Fisher House Foundation in honor of Col. Richard H. Dowaldt. Fisherhouse.org

or 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, suite 410 Rockville MD 20852

-Operation Starfish Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke VA 22015,

https://nativityburke.org/operation-starfish

-NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness https://donate.nami.org