Richard L. Atchison

Richard L. Atchison, age 86 of Pinehurst, North Carolina, formerly of New Concord, Ohio died on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at Manor Care in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He was born on May 22, 1922 in Bloomfield, Ohio, a son of the late Ralph and Mary Rankin Atchison. He attended New Concord High School, graduating in 1940. After graduating Muskingum College in 1942, Mr. Atchison then entered the US Air Force and became a commissioned officer. In 1951 during the Korean Conflict, he served as a fighter pilot flying over 150 combat missions. He holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal earned from his service. Richard retired from military service in 1963. He then worked as a civil service employee for the US Air Force division at the Pentagon. After retirement, he remained active with various volunteer jobs. Mr. Atchison was a member of the Bloomfield United Presbyterian Church in New Concord, Ohio and the Culdee Presbyterian Church in West End, North Carolina. Preceding him in death are his parents, a daughter, Bonnie Beth who died in infancy and a brother Robert Atchison. Richard leaves: his wife of 27 years, Barbara Frakes Atchison of Pinehurst formerly of Cambridge, Ohio; three daughters, Deb Buttorff of Tacoma, Washington, Molly Mike Raymond of Fairfax Station, Virginia and Wendy David Kauffman of Pinehurst, North Carolina; 6 grandchildren, Christine Buttorff of Nashville, Tennessee, Gail Buttorff of the University of Iowa at Iowa City, Iowa, Doug Buttorff of Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, Lindsay Raymond, Fairfax, Virginia, Ashley Raymond, Fairfax, Virginia and Caleb Kauffman of Pinehurst, North Carolina. Mr. Atchison is also survived by a sister Alice Yelverton of Kamuela, Hawaii and a sister-in-law, Lee Atchison of New Concord, Ohio. Visitation will be held on January 9, 2009 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with the memorial service at 1:00 pm at Bundy-Law Funeral Home, Cambridge, Ohio. Rev. Martin Radcliff and Dr. Ronald Fleming will officiate the service with burial following in Bloomfield Cemetery. Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst, North Carolina also assisted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700, Chicago, Illinois. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com.

Richard L. Atchison

May 22, 1922 - December 27, 2008