More detail on this person: Richard "Dick" Wentworth Bourne took his final flight on 06 Oct, 2016
after battling cancer for more than two years. He was a friend to everyone as well as a
distinguished military officer, educator, father, husband and hoarder. Not a man for material
possessions - he would give you the shirt off his back. However, he never threw away a receipt or
bank statement in his 82 years.
A celebration of life will be held at Oakes Public School Gymnasium with a parade and reception at
the Angry Beaver Lodge in Oakes on October 22, 2016 starting at 2:00. Burial will be at a later date
at Arlington National Cemetery with a full military ceremony.
Dick was oldest of 12 siblings, born a diehard Red Sox fan to Osgood Wentworth and Winifred Daley
Bourne on Nov. 18, 1934 in Wakefield, MA. He was active in football, baseball, and basketball and
was voted "Most Handsome" in his graduating class at Ayer High School. He joined the Navy at 17 to
help his family and begin to realize his dream of world travel. He trained as an airplane mechanic
and deployed to the Pacific toward the end of the Korean War, where he met his first love: All
things aviation. Leaving the Navy after his first "hitch," he thumbed his way to California to work
for his Uncle Frank, plastering buildings. In 1956, he entered pilot training as an aviation cadet
in Texas and began an affair that defined him. Dick was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Dec. 5,
1957 and was designated as a U.S. Air Force pilot. After completing follow-on helicopter and
survival training, he reported to his first assignment flying H19 helicopters in Japan. On his very
first mission, Dick flew nearly 48 hours straight rescuing 166 Japanese citizens from a flood
earning him his first Distinguished Flying Cross and personal recognition from the Emperor of Japan.
After telling that story hundreds of times at the Officer's Club, he returned to serve as the
Wyoming Civil Air Patrol Liaison, where he met and married his first wife, Katrinka Bly. His
military career continued for another decade with over 1,052 combat hours in Vietnam as well as a
search and rescue tour in Alaska and missile silo missions in Montana. Dick ended his 22-year
military career in 1973, accumulating 8,500 flight hours in 34 different types of helicopters and
airplanes. Although a combat veteran of two wars, Dick was most proud of the 30 peace-time
helicopter rescue missions he conducted saving some 300 lives.
Dick started his second career as the lead Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
instructor in 1976 at Fargo North High School, where he served for 17 years. Known as "The Maj,"
Dick received dozens of national outstanding instructor awards and was beloved by the students.
Always giving, he could consistently be found lending an ear to young students in distress. However,
he was an exacting inspector who was feared during Thursday uniform inspections! His color guard
marched with precision and brought great honor to thousands of events. During his JROTC conclusion,
he was inducted in 2003 to the Fargo North High School Hall of Fame.
After a short teaching stint in Misawa, Japan, Dick wed his second wife, Kathy Fenno and settled in
Oakes, ND, for the last 23 years. A staple of the Oakes community, Dick could be seen everywhere
and heard even farther. He was a substitute teacher who was loved for how he could be coaxed off
task. (Little did they know they were learning more about life than any school lesson.) He also
volunteered as a bartender at the golf course for lady's night, coordinated the American Legion
baseball program, spearheaded the revival of the Veteran's Day celebrations, helped fundraise for
the new hospital, led annual Boy Scout camping trips, tutored for the geography bee and remained the
most fanatical Oakes wrestling fan to ever help with the Potato Harvest. Many Oakes Folks would
smile when Dick would come in a room with a big "Whoo-hoo" and give bear hugs, whether wanted or
not.
Dick will be remembered for his generosity, unpretentiousness, huge heart, loving spirit, ferocious
appetite, gluten-reactions, humble service, unwavering loyalty, and zest for life.
Richard is survived by his wife Kathy Fenno Bourne. Children: Toni Rivas (Juan, Raymondville, TX -
Francisca & Abbie Anna), Brett Bourne (Catrin, Swansboro, NC- Carl & Charlotte), Kristina Bourne
(Tim Valentine, Duluth, MN - Daley & Finley). Roberta Charpentier (Marti, Chamberlin MN- Rachel,
(Zach) Hannah, Daniel), Kris Carlson (Todd, Pelican Rapids MN- Cole & Rhett), Robert Fenno (Renelle,
Fargo, ND - Zachary, Alexis, & Andrea), Kim Schmit (Doug, Oakes, ND- Ellie (Ethan), Robert &
Christopher), Rich Fenno (Kelly, Fargo, ND - Ty). Siblings: Wayne (Mary) Bourne, Russell (Betty)
Bourne, and Margaret Bourne.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, Son: Ron (Mel-Battle Lake, MN Jessica & Jacob) Fenno,
Siblings: David Bourne, Roberta Doyle, Francis Bourne, Kenneth Bourne, Patricia Martin, Barbara
Wylie, Bruce Bourne, and Winifred Bourne.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the memorial scholarship fund being set up at Oakes High
School, 804 Main Ave, Oakes, ND 58474. Memories may be shared and viewed online at
www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 12/24/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association