Remembering

Richard W. Henderson Jr.

September 13, 1968 – June 13, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard W. Henderson Jr, age 55. Richard W. Henderson Jr., Chief Master Sergeant, United States Air Force (retired) and United States Space Force Telecommunications Manager, died Thursday June 13th, 2024, at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Rich was born in 1968 in Michigan, to parents Richard Henderson and Paula Thompson. He graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 1986 and enlisted in the USAF in December of that year. Shortly after entering the Air Force, he met Jeannine while they were in technical school together at Keesler AFB in Biloxi MS. They married in February of 1990 and continued their Air Force careers together. He served in the USAF for 23 years, where he worked as a satellite communications technician and manager and ultimately rose to the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. His assignments included Lajes AB, Portugal, Shaw AFB in Sumter SC, Bergstrom AFB in Austin TX, Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson AZ, Ramstein AB, Germany, Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City OK, Camp Smith, HI, and Mountain Home AFB, ID where he retired from active duty in 2010.

After his retirement from the USAF, the family relocated to Colorado Springs CO where he graduated Suma Cum Laude from Park University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in management and computer information systems. He continued his government work with a civilian career in the USAF and USSF for 14 years. He enjoyed his profession, but he loved his time on the golf course. If he wasn’t golfing, he was probably fishing or trying to plan his next trip where he could golf.

Rich will be sorely missed by his wife Jeannine and their 2 daughters Taylor Marie Garvin and Kelly Nicole Henderson, son-in-law Traverse Garvin, brothers Michael and Dan Henderson, and stepfather Casper Smith. He died surrounded by his loving family after a brief and sudden illness.

There will be a ceremony with honors to commemorate the life of Richard W. Henderson Jr. at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia at a later date, to be determined.

Rich was an amazing father and great man who lived a short but full life with a distinguished military career in the US Air Force. It is with his dedication to his country, career, family and friends in mind that this honorable military funeral will be performed.

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