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<p>DICK WHITESIDES was born on 14 January 1937 in Manila, the Philippines, where his father was a banker. In 1941, the family returned to California for a vacation. Because of the possibility of hostilities with the Japanese, Dick and his mother remained in California while his father returned to Manila.</p>
<p>Dick attended Sunset Grammar School in Carmel, California. Later, the family moved to Stockton, where he attended Stockton High School, excelled in baseball and tennis, and, more importantly, met his future wife, Judith Martin.</p>
<p>Dick’s great-grandfather, John G. Whitesides, was a former member of the Class of 1895 and rose to the rank of major. This West Point influence inspired Dick to pursue a nomination to the Academy.</p>
<p>He was an outstanding cadet, student and athlete, achieving the rank of corporal in his Cow Year and earning numerals in tennis and squash. By first year, Dick had set the following goals:</p>
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<li>Graduate from West Point.</li>
<li>Marry Judi Martin.</li>
<li>Become a flight officer in the U.S. Air Force</li>
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<p>Without doubt, the greatest challenge pertained to the transcontinental romance with Judi. In these days of the electronic highway, it borders on nostalgic to recall the importance of mail call. Not only did Dick await letters from Judi, all of K-2 did because of their impact upon him.</p>
<p>Despite an occasional instance of high drama, Dick eventually won Judi over with his charm, good looks and, yes, the ability to paint pictures with words on paper.</p>
<p>In June 1959, Dick graduated, married Judi and was commissioned in the Air Force. Initially he qualified as a helicopter pilot and spent 1960-62 in the air rescue command. In 1963, he qualified on fixed wing aircraft and was assigned to Vietnam as a forward air controller. On 27 March 1964, while flying a combat mission, Dick’s aircraft was shot down. His body never was recovered.</p>
<p>He is survived by his stepmother and father, still living in Stockton, California, and by his son John, an attorney in Sacramento.</p>
<p>After 35 years, an image remains. Dick was from California; to us, he was California. The charm, the open manner, the good looks, the ability to make the difficult task appear easy were qualities that we, thereafter, associated with the Golden State. The lost possibilities continue to haunt us; yet, we can look back and remember Dick for his energy and optimism and how he made us all a little better than we were.</p>
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