In Memoriam
COL Richard Louis Evans (USAF, Retired)
COL Richard Louis Evans (USAF, Ret) Born Aug 1, 1921 in Kalamazoo,
Mich.,passed into our Lord's care March 27, 2015. Survived by his loving wife of
70 years, Maggie, daughter Nancy (Norm) Rack, grandchildren Tina-Margaret
Steele, Todd (Rebekka) Trahan, great-grandchildren Nicolette Steele, Tyler &
Jordan Mocello, Amanda & Jason Rack. COL Evans completed pilot training and was
commissioned in August 1943. He flew in the Western Pacific & New Guinea combat
campaigns during WW II, served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, earning the
Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Korean and
Vietnam Service Medals. He retired from active service in March 1973 making Ft
Lauderdale his home. He was an amazing husband, father, and Gramps to his family
and we are so fortunate to have had him in our lives. A celebration of his life
will be held at Kraeer Funeral Home, 200 N. Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach March
31st at 4-5pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations made in
his name to the DAV Charitable Service Trust.
COL Birney Pease (USAF, Retired)
Birney passed away on January 4, 2015 in Fort Lauderdale surrounded by family.
Birney was born in Burlington, Vermont on February 7, 1940 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1963 after two years at the University of Vermont. Upon graduation he married Barbara Ann Sankowski and started his life as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington as a missile launch officer. At Whitman AFB, Missouri he continued his work as a launch officer in the minuteman system and became a command post controller before entering the University of Illinois in 1968.
Birney was active in his church and veterans affairs while volunteering at Holy Cross Hospital for many years. As a charter member of the Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the USNA Alumni Association, Birney was instrumental in building and maintaining activities by serving as President and secretary. He served in various capacities culminating as President of the Military Officers Association of American Broward County Chapter. His church work included being a bible study coordinator, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and lector. He liked to travel seeing most of the world yet finding time to spend the summers in a small cottage in Colchester Vermont. He is survived by his wife Barbara; son Christopher and his wife Wendy and three grandchildren Casey, Ryley, and Kelsey; daughter Kelly-Kate and her partner Allan MacNeill.
COL John Smiley (USA/USAF, Retired)
At the April MOAA-BCC Luncheon, a memorial ceremony was held for COL John Smiley (USA/USAF, Ret). John was known throughout our community, and had many friends, as evidenced by the turnout of over 115 people at the memorial. There were, in addition to his MOAA friends and family, members of the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club and members of his High School Class. Several friends shares their remembrances of John adding to the luster of his life and work, not just as a great soldier and aviator, but a contributor to our community. Organizations presented awards in John's memory, most notably one presented by LTC (Ret) Leo Gray on behalf of the Tuskegee airmen. John will be sorely missed in MOAA, his community, and by his friends. His achievements will live on. Be thou at Peace, COL Smiley.