Merrill, Richard

Richard Merrill

August 2, 2021

Age 90 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, August 2, 2021. Richard was born in Bedford, Massachusetts and was raised in Hammondsport, New York. He attended the University of Idaho earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He entered the United States Airforce in 1954 and completed pilot training. In 1964, he was transferred to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Tennessee where he worked on the development of rocket engines. Richard received orders for Vietnam in 1966 where he flew C-130 transport planes. On February 7, 1969, Richard received the Distinguish Flying Cross when he landed his plane during the siege of Khe Sanh and evacuated 74 wounded Marines.

Richard left the Air Force and transferred to the Air National Guard where he completed over 30 years of service. He flew Commercial passenger planes for Capital International Airlines. He also worked for Himont as well as the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur C Merrill and Margaret W. Younglove; sisters, Elizabeth Merrill Stewart and Rosalie Merrill Rebhan and son, William Richard Barlow.

He is survived by daughters, Deborah Barlow and Melissa Lowry Howland; son, Michael Merrill; grandchildren, Nate Garyantes, Kris Garyantes, Alissa Mercado, Marissa Merrill Wilson, William Barlow, Daniel Lowry, Morgan Lowry and Hannah Howland as well as numerous great grandchildren and nephews and nieces.