Longtime Lompoc resident Richard Eric Larson, died peacefully in Santa Maria on Sunday, February 21, a week before his 79th birthday. Born in Chicago as Nels Erik Larson to Swedish immigrants, Nels Gustav Larsson and Rut Dagmar Bjorklund, Richard joined the US Air Force in 1947, when he was just 17 years old and began a lengthy career in Security and Law Enforcement. By 1949, he had been promoted to Corporal at the Azores Air Transport Station. Temporary duty also took him to Greenland. Upon returning stateside to Castle AFB, in Merced, CA he met the love of his life, Phyllis Madeline Gomes, and they married in 1952. Four sons were born while he was stationed at Castle AFB.

In 1961, the family moved to Vandenberg AFB, at the advent of the aerospace program. Richard worked with the Canine Unit; then was promoted to the Security Squadron Training Supervisor. A daughter was born in 1962, and the next year Richard completed NCO Academy. He was promoted in 1965 to Asst. Operations Supervisor, 72nd Security Police Squadron, Ramey Field AFB, Puerto Rico. The family returned to VAFB in 1968 and a year later, Richard retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant, Law Enforcement Supervisor, 4392 Security Police Squadron with over 22 years of military service.

After military retirement, Richard continued his security/law enforcement career for a brief, but eventful time, as a Correctional Officer at the Federal Penitentiary in Lompoc. In August of 1970, a disturbance at the prison resulted in Richard and another officer being held hostage for a short but frightening period. By November of that year, Richard had another job as Security Administrator with ITT Federal Electric Corp on VAFB.

In 1972, Richard left ITT to work for the Department of the Air Force, this time as a civilian supervisor of the 4392 Security Police Squadron at Vandenberg AFB. His tenure at VAFB was during a period when the aerospace industry was expanding. He received numerous performance/special service awards and was instrumental in developing and implementing the pass and registration process needed for the once- planned Space Shuttle facilities. He played a key role in laying the groundwork for the design of the current Pass and Registration facility and upgrade of the Vandenberg Visitor Center. He retired in 1996 as Chief of Security Administration responsible for management of Vandenberg's Security Police Administration Flight.

Richard will be remembered with love by his children and their spouses; Rick (Louise), Gary (Trina), Paul (Lesa), Leslie Smith (Jeff) and daughter-in-law Laurie Larson. His grandchildren Joe (Paula), Megan, Leeann, Paul, Scott, Rebecca and Matthew will miss his good sense of humor and warm smile. His friends will remember his love for the outdoors and a good time. He is also survived by his only sister, Dorothy (Fritz) Hiel of Helena, MT, to whom he will always be "Dickie"; and by many nieces and nephews. Richard is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Phyllis; and by his youngest son, Mark.

A funeral service to celebrate Richard's life will be held on March 1 at 10:00 o'clock at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2800 Harris Grade Rd, Lompoc, CA with Fr. Michael Cunningham officiating. Internment with Military Honors will follow at Lompoc Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at 319 South F Street, Lompoc, 93436. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Valley Haven Adult Day Program will help other local families dealing with dementia/Alzheimer's disease (POB 950, Solvang, CA 93464).