RICHARD F. ARCHER, JR.

Richard was born on February 26, 1922 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Richard and Edith (Pecher) Archer and died at a local nursing home on January 31, 2011. He was raised in South Bend, Indiana. He was a resident of the Sierra Vista, AZ area for over 57 years moving to the Sierra Vista area in May 1959 when he was assigned to Ft. Huachuca. In November of 2007 he and his wife Berta moved to San Angelo where he became active in the Holy Angels Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his first wife Rita Mary (Dunn) and his youngest daughter, Joan. He is survived by his loving wife Berta (Cortez) of San Angelo, Texas; daughters Catherine (William Zelinski) of Reno, NV, Christine (Charles Tipton) of Maryland and sons Richard F. Archer, III (Sylvia) and Robert Archer (Kim) both of Tucson, AZ and stepdaughter Patricia Ann (Adrian Salaiz) of Sierra Vista, AZ and eight grandchildren. He graduated from high school in January 1940. He enlisted in the army in June 1942. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant in August 1943. He fought as a parachute infantryman in Europe through the end of the war. He left the army in December 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant and worked with his father in the food distributing business but in May 1947 re entered the army. Richard fought as an infantry officer in Korea and had a tour of duty in Viet Nam in 1958/59 as a signal advisor to an Army of Vietnam signal unit. He also had overseas tours in the Philippine Islands, Japan, and Puerto Rico. He retired from the army on December 31, 1963 as a major. His decorations include Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart with Oak leak cluster, Occupation Medal for Ger¬many and Japan, Combat Infantry Badge for World War II and Korea, Senior Parachutist Badge with bronze star affixed denoting participation in a combat parachute jump. He entered U.S. Civil Service, as a Department of Army civilian, in June 1964 and retired in June 1986. During that period worked as a contracting officer, a procurement officer, and the Director of Procurement at Ft. Huachuca and in Worms, Germany. Richard attended University of Georgia, University of Maryland, and University of Arizona. He graduated with Associate of Arts Degree in Business administration from Cochise College in 1970. During his service as a Department of Army Civilian he attended several schools such as Basic Procurement Course, Advanced Procurement course, and Personnel Management for Executives. He was member of The Rotary Club Sierra Vista Sunrise, The Knights of Columbus, The Huachuca Museum Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American veterans, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, 82nd Airborne Division Association, The 17th Airborne Division Association, The 504th Parachute Infantry Association, The 507th Parachute Infantry Association, and the 24th Infantry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers) Association and The 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion Association, all units in which he served. He was a Sierra Vista City Councilman from March 1987 and mayor from March 1991 through June 1999. Richard was an active member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church where served as Eucharistic Minister, usher, President of the Parish Council and Chairman of the Building Committee. Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2011 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Holy Angels Church with Father Charles Greenwell officiating. Military honors and burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Services are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.