Richard E. Bauchspies – Colonel, United States Army

Portsmouth, Rhode Island: Colonel Richard E. Bauchspies, United States Army, Retired, died peacefully at home on Monday, March 16, 2009, after a long battle with cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

‘Dick’ was born on Octoner 2, 1936, in Columbus, Georgia, to Rollin LeRoy and Kathryne Elizabeth (Schmauch) Bauchspies, while his father served as an Army doctor at Fort Benning. He was the fifth son of their six children.

As a boy growing up in a military family, he attended secondary schools throughout the United States, graduating from Yokohama American High School while his dad was stationed in Japan.

Following high school, he accepted an appointment to the United states Military Academy at West Point, graduating as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, with the Class of 1958. He retired as a Colonel at the Naval War College, Newport in 1984, after 26 years of distinguished military service.

Colonel Bauchspies was a graduate of the Infantry Basic and Career Courses, Jump School, Ranger School, Flight School, the Air Force Command and Staff College, and the Naval War College. He also earned an MBA from Auburn University and an MS from Troy State University.

Among his military assignments, Colonel Bauchspies served in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 1st Cavalry Division (RVN), and the 25th Infantry Division (RVN).

Among his many decorations, he was awarded the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

His final assignment was as the Army Advisor to the Naval War College, after which he began two new careers: teaching management classes at Salve Regina University, and investment portfolio manager for the Burney Company. He gave up the teaching position after three years to focus his energy on this investment business, which became his passion for the rest of his life.

Between Ranger and Flight schools he met and fell in love with Barbara J. Kornegy. The two were married on March 6, 1959, and were blessed to celebrate 50 wonderful years of marriage, renewing their vows surrounded by family and friends less than two weeks ago.

In addition to his wife, he leaves two children, Deborah L. Lawrence of Portsmouth, and Richard E. Bauchspies Jr., and his wife, Mary Frances, also of Portsmouth; six grandchildren, Richard A. Quintal and his fiancé Melissa Drake of Portsmouth, Brandon B. Lawrence, a sophomore at West Point, Timothy F. Bauchspies, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island, Kathryne E. Bauchspies, Bradley J. Lawrence and Michael R. Bauchspies, all of Portsmouth; three brothers, Captain Rollin LeRoy Bauchspies Jr., United States Navy, Retired, and his wife Margaret of Neptune Beach, Florida, Frank T Bauchspies of Spring, Texas, and Lieutenant Colonel James S. Bauchspies, US Army, Retired, and his wife Georgine of Bowie, Maryland, ; a sister, Kathryne E. Miller and her husband Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Miller, US Army, Retired, of Effort, Pennsylania; a sister-in-law, Karin Bauchspies of Alpharetta, Georgia; and 18 nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Colonel Robert W. Bauchspies, US Army Retired and his sister-in-law Delores M. Bauchspies.

His funeral with full military honors will be on Wednesday, June 3, at 9 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery at the Fort Myer Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to Mass. General Hospital, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard