DUERR RICHARD D

MAJ Richard "Dick" D. Duerr was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/03/2022 at the age of 90.3
Vadnais Heights, MN
Flight Class 55-I
Date of Birth 03/13/1932
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 114 AHC in 66-67
Call sign in Vietnam KNIGHT LEAD
This information was provided by 114th Newsletter

More detail on this person: In the last hour of July 3, 2022, Richard Dale Duerr passed away peacefully. Dick was born on March 13, 1932, to parents Arthur Frederick and Evelyn Lucille Duerr in Wymore, NE. He attended the University of Nebraska where he played football, was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and met the lovely Shirley Lou Hamilton. Dick was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the Artillery in the Army, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, married Shirley Lou and reported to active duty at Fort Sill, OK, all between 6/4/1954 and 7/4/1954. While in the Army, he proudly served on several posts in the United States, Germany, Korea and Vietnam. After he was released from active duty in 1967, he worked for a short time as a stockbroker, but his love of flying led him to the Minnesota National Guard, and he and Shirley eventually settled in White Bear Lake, MN. He had a distinguished career in the National Guard as a flight instructor and battalion commander. He retired after nearly 31 years of service in 1984 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Dick was awarded many medals not limited to the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and 32 Air Medals, one of which was for valor. Dick had a strong faith in the Lord and thanked Him every day for all of his many blessings. Dick had many interests. He was an avid fisherman and pheasant hunter, and he loved watching football while cheering on the Cornhuskers and Vikings. He spent countless hours devouring books on military history and he cherished his time spent with family and friends. Dick lost Shirley in June of 1995 after a battle with lung cancer but was blessed to have met Sherri Schroeder. Dick and Sherri were married on 11/22/1997 and would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year. They had many wonderful adventures and made friends wherever they went. They lived in Vadnais Heights, MN. Dick was preceded in death by his beloved first wife Shirley, infant son, Scott Allen, his parents, and his sisters, Marlene Williams and Karen Garland. He is survived by his wife, Sherri Schroeder Duerr, his four children; Richard Duerr (Ellen), David Duerr, Susan Heckman (Joel), and Nancy Hull (Darrin), his five grandchildren; Christopher Duerr, Eric Duerr, Briana Duerr Marvich, Connor Hull, and Lauren Hull, three great grandchildren, two stepchildren Lisa Nelson (Christopher) and Sheila Oberg (Michael), and three step grandchildren; Elizabeth Nelson, Annika Nelson, and Olivia Oberg, and many extended family members and friends. A funeral service celebrating the life of Dick and his reunion with our Heavenly Father was held on July 18 at North Heights Lutheran Church, with interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery

Burial information: Ft. Snelling National Cemetery

This information was last updated 09/10/2022

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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