Richard Donald Stone

Richard Donald Stone
September 29, 1945 – June 3, 2016 Richard D. Stone (Rick) former Vietnam Veteran and helicopter Pilot, passed away on June 3, 2016 at the age 70 after a brief illness.  He was a resident of San Antonio since his retirement from Federal Civil Service in 2004.
 
Born in San Francisco, CA in 1945, he served in the United States Army as a scout helicopter pilot flying OH-6A helicopters for Troop B 2d Squadron 17th CAV 101st Airborne Division during two tours of duty over North and South Vietnam.  He accumulated over 844 pilot combat hours and was shot down over three times and had to walk out of the combat zone at least once.  He received the following awards for his service in Vietnam, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Oak Leaf Cluster, three Overseas Service Ribbons, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars.  He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army in December 1967.
 
Rick later received his commission as an active duty Army officer through the ROTC program at Texas Tech and later Eastern Washington University.  In 1973 he graduated from Eastern Washington University where he received his bachelor's degree in political science.  He continued to work in the aviation branch of the Army as a Huey Cobra, and UH-1H helicopter pilot.  He also worked in the transportation branch as a logistics officer.  Rick concluded his Army career with the Washington State Army National Guard when he retired from his service in the HHC 66th Aviation Brigade.
 
During the following twenty years Rick worked in the Federal Civil Service assigned to monitor Navy contracts at the Boeing Corporation in the Seattle area.  After his retirement, Rick and his wife of thirty-five years, Donna, moved to San Antonio to be near Donna's mother.  They traveled extensively visiting family and national parks and monuments.  Besides traveling within the continental United States, Rick and Donna also visited Ireland and Canada.  He had a great love of animals and music.
 
Richard Stone is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Donna E. Stone, his step sons, Gary Carollo of Colorado Springs and Dan Carollo of Seattle, eight grandchildren, Abraham, Maria, Gabriela, Valerie, Karen, John, Ben and Sarah, three great grandchildren Ezekiel, Misha, Elias and his brother Barry of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and sister Robin Kropff of Spokane, Washington. 

Ten things that I learned from Richard Stone my hero.  

1.  You are stronger that any challenge you will ever face.
2.  It is OK to get discouraged but never give up.
3.  If you have a gruff exterior be sure that it covers a generous heart.
4.  Do not shy away from people who stare at you physical differences, talk to them and you
     will soon see that their fear becomes appreciation.
5.  America is important to the world and it is worth any sacrifice to keep great.
6.  Take care of your family and show them that you love them by what you do.
7.  Working with your hands is great therapy.
8.  Music is the universal language and can overcome barriers that the spoken work cannot.
9.  Travel as much as you can while you can and talk to people wherever you go.
10.  You will not escape death by not planning for it. 

Thank you for your support.

Gary Carollo