More detail on this person: From the Newport Daily News of Rhode Island. Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
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Date posted on this site:
08/31/2024
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PORTSMOUTH - Col. Richard E. Bauchspies, USA, Ret., of Portsmouth, RI, died peacefully at home
on Monday, March 16, 2009 after a long battle with cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange in
Vietnam.
Richard (Dick) was born in Columbus, GA, to Rollin LeRoy and Kathryne Elizabeth (Schmauch)
Bauchspies, while his father served as an Army doctor at Fort Benning.
Dick was born on October 2, 1936, the fifth son of Colonel Rollin L. and Kathryne E. Bauchspies' six
children. As a boy growing up in a military family, Dick attended secondary schools throughout the
United States, graduating from Yokohama American High School while his dad was stationed in Japan.
Following high school, Dick accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West
Point, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry, with the class of 1958.
Dick retired as a Colonel at the Naval War College, Newport in 1984, after twenty-six 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 (w/OLC), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal (w/2OLC),
the Air Medal (w/12OLC), 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: one teaching management classes at Salve Regina University, and the other as a Portfolio
Manager managing investments for the Burney Company. He gave up the teaching position after three
years to focus all his energy on this investment business, which soon 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. They were blessed to celebrate fifty wonderful years of marriage, renewing
their vows surrounded by family and friends less than two weeks ago.
In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by two children: Deborah L. Lawrence of Portsmouth, RI,
and Richard E. Bauchspies, Jr., and his wife, Mary Frances, also of Portsmouth, RI, as well as six
grandchildren; Richard A. Quintal and his fiancé Melissa Drake of Portsmouth, RI, Brandon B.
Lawrence a sophomore at West Point, Timothy F. Bauchspies a sophomore at the University of Rhode
Island, Kathryne E. Bauchspies, Bradley R. Lawrence and Michael R. Bauchspies all of Portsmouth,
RI.
He also is survived by three brothers: Captain Rollin LeRoy Bauchspies, Jr., US Navy Retired, and
his wife Margaret of Neptune Beach, FL, Frank T Bauchspies of Spring, TX, and Lt. Colonel James S.
Bauchspies, US Army Retired and his wife Georgine of Bowie, MD, a sister Kathryne E. Miller and her
husband Lt. Colonel Lewis Miller, US Army Retired, of Effort, PA, a sister-in-law Karin Bauchspies
of Alpharetta, Georgia as well as eighteen nieces and nephews.
His brother, Colonel Robert W. Bauchspies, United States Army Retired and his sister-in-law Delores
M. Bauchspies, predeceased him.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2009, from 3-7 p.m. in the Connors Funeral Home, 55
West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. His funeral with full Military honors will take place on Wednesday,
June 3, 2009, at 9 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery at the Fort Meyer Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mass General Hospital, Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114.
Condolences, information and directions are available at