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<em>Richard Sargent Abbey</em> was born in New York City to COL Evers and Ida Sargent Abbey.</p>
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Dick led a wonderful and happy life. Since I am writing my own memorial article, I can vouch for my feelings throughout my life. During the early years of my life, I lived with my mother and her parents in East Orange, NJ. While I cannot recall all of the details of that period, I do know that life was pleasant and that I lived in most happy surroundings. In the early 1920s we moved to Mitchel Field, Long Island, NY. There I entered the first grade and enjoyed being together with both of my parents for the first time, to my recollection.</p>
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In 1923 we moved to France Field, Canal Zone, for four years. I learned to run safely through the jungle and—to one of the greater assets of my later life—learned to swim. This was the barefoot period of my life—the free spirit era.</p>
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In 1927 my family moved to Chanute Field, IL, then to Washington, DC, in January 1930. Following that move, I attended Central High School in Washington for four years. There I met Eleanor K. Quirk, the girl whom I was to marry and with whom we were to raise four children. During high school my main interest was the high school cadets. During my senior year I was appointed a captain, commanding E Company.</p>
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In autumn 1934 I entered the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. Along-held dream came true in the fall of 1934, when I received an appointment to USMA; but after failing the entrance examination in the spring of 1935, I enlisted for the West Point Preparatory School at Ft. Monroe, VA. The preparatory school provided me the background needed to enter West Point in July of 1936. I always have regarded the decision to attend the Academy as the wisest of my life. It was the start of a career of military service, which, more than any life I could have selected, proved completely gratifying.</p>
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Upon graduation from West Point, my first and only act as a Field Artillery officer was to marry Eleanor K. Quirk on 15 Jun 1940. Our graduation leave was shortened, and we reported to Tulsa, OK, in August 1940 for pilot training at the Spartan School of Aviation. Randolph and Kelly Fields followed in natural order. In March of 1941, I graduated as a pilot and was assigned to MacDill Field, FL.</p>
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Happiness for me was flying the B-17 at MacDill Field, where there were more aircraft than pilots. Orders transferred me from MacDill Field to West Point on 7 Dec 1941. Eleanor and I, along with George, our oldest son, were en route to West Point when WWII was declared. My duty was to establish the flying training school at Stewart Field for the cadets.</p>
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The war brought about many quick transfers. Orders for overseas assignment came, and in April 1944 I reported to the 2d Bomb Group in Italy. I had the privilege of flying with the 2d Bomb Group for my entire combat tour and participated in the repatriation of the POWs from Polesti, Rumania, in August 1944. Returning to the States, I was assigned to the Operations Division of the War Department General</p>
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Staff and further staff positions followed. From the War Department to the air staff; to graduate study resulting in a masters degree at Georgetown University; to the joint staff, and back to the air staff, were my assignments in the Washington area. In 1952 the Abbey family went to the Netherlands, where I served as chief of the air section of the military assistance advisory group. After three pleasant years, I returned to Washington to become a student at the National War College. Following my student year, I served two additional years on the faculty of the National War College.</p>
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In 1959 I returned to flying as a basic pursuit. While assigned to Vance Air Force Base, OK, for nine months, I checked out in the T-33 and learned the functions of a flying training base. In August 1960, I assumed command of Williams Air Force Base, Phoenix, AZ. From Williams AFB the Abbeys went to the North American Defense Command Headquarters at Colorado Springs, CO. After spending two years in the Plans Division of NORAD, I was assigned to the staff of the Military Assistance Command Viet Nam (MACV), then under the command of GEN Westmoreland.</p>
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Returning to Washington in late 1966, I was assigned as assistant chief of staff for Reserve forces, U.S. Air Force. With the passage of a new law, I was out a job in a year and transferred to the Combat Operations Center at NORAD, Colorado Springs, CO. In January 1970, the Abbey family moved to Great Falls, MT, and I assumed command of the 24th NORAD Region. On 1 Aug 1971, I retired as a major general from the Air Force.</p>
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The one satisfaction in writing one’s own obituary is that I may thank my friends for being just that, and I may pay tribute to the real joys of my life. My wife, Eleanor Q. Abbey, led a dynamic and zestful life, affecting all those with whom she came into contact. She has been the center of my life. My three sons George, Steven, and William and my daughter Mary Ann have blessed me with their love and devotion throughout my life.</p>
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Looking back, I am most pleased with my military service. From the beginning to the end, the work always was challenging but rewarding. My one hope is that I may be truly considered a member of the Long Gray Line.</p>
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As with anyone writing about themselves, we feel that Dick modestly left out a few details that the family would like to add at this time. During WWII , Dick flew 30 combat missions in the B-17 with the 2d Bomb Group, 16 of which he flew as group lead. His decorations included two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, the American Defense Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with seven service stars, and the French <em>Croix de Guerre avec palm.</em></p>
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Dick died peacefully at home after a short illness at the age of 85. As the chaplain said at Dick's funeral, "We have lost a leader and a gentleman." We feel that this reflects the strong commitment that Dick always had to his family, his Academy family, and his military family.</p>
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<em>Dick and his family</em></p>