June 21, 1920 - May 14, 2016

Raymond Glenn Richart, Sr. returned to live with his Heavenly Father on May 14, 2016. He was born June 21, 1920 in Eagle Rock, CA to Fabin and Pearl (Sullivan) Richart. He was the youngest of three children. After graduating from Eagle Rock High School he attended Glendale Junior College and Pasadena City College. While attending GJC, he participated in the newly organized, government funded program called the Civilian Pilot Training Program. To help the war effort, Raymond joined the United States Army Air Force, now the U.S. Air Force. He flew the C-46 aircraft over the infamous and treacherous “Hump”. The Hump was the name given by Allied pilots of WWII to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains over which they flew military transport aircraft from India to China to resupply the Chinese war effortand the units of the United States Army Air Forces based in China. For its efforts and sacrifices, the India-China Wing of the Air Transport Command was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation on January 29, 1944 at the personal direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the first such award made to a non-combat organization. The pilots were expected to fly 35 missions during their tours; Raymond flew a total of 110 missions over the Hump. He and other Hump pilots are honored at a monument at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He retired from active duty in November of 1946 as a Major, and was a member of the Inactive Duty Armed Forces until June of 1980.

After WWII Raymond was a flight instructor, then joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. During his years as a deputy, he was written up in the newspaper for singlehandedly thwarting two armed robbers in the process of attempting to rob a bank. Raymond returned to educational endeavors, obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern California. He later received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Southwestern University School of Law, after which he worked for the Bureau of Investigations of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, retiring as an Investigator IV, overseeing five offices, in 1980. Raymond retired with 31 years of service in Los Angeles County. Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia has posthumously awarded a resolution to honor Raymond Glenn Richart, Sr. for his distinguished service.

Raymond is survived by his beautiful wife of nearly 57 years, Teddie Lee Halley Richart; his sons, R. Glenn Richart, Jr., Paul K. Richart and daughter, Cynthia M. Richart Marroquin. He is also survived by his nine wonderful grandchildren: Kelly, Kristen, Kevin K., Steven, P. Kevin, Amanda Rae, Eric, Nicholas Ray and Erinn; and three step-grandchildren: Jeff, Julie and Valerie. Granddaughter, Karley Knox, predeceased him in 1996.

Raymond lived an amazing life during his almost 96 years, and if you asked him, his proudest accomplishments would be his family, who looked up to and honored him for the wonderful man that he was.

Services were held to honor his life on May 21, 2016 at the LDS Church in Santa Fe Springs. He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress with full military honors.

Donations can be made in his name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Juvenile Leukemia Foundation.