Richard "Rich" Lewis Runyon

Richard "Rich" Lewis Runyon, 64, of Cheney died in an airplane crash on Thursday, May 7, 2015, in Spokane, Wash. 

Rich was born on his family farm near Hillsboro, Iowa on Dec. 24, 1950 to Billy and Ruth Runyon.  He was the second oldest with four siblings: Doris, Daryl, Robert and Larry.

Rich attended a one-room schoolhouse until high school and went on to attend Iowa State University where he was in ROTC and majored in aerospace engineering. 

After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force in June of 1973 and went into pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base near Del Rio, Texas.  While at ISU, he met his wife, Karen Fagerhaug and they were married on June 1, 1974 in Sioux City, Iowa. 

While stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base from 1978-1982 Rich completed a masters degree in mathematics at Eastern Washington University.  While serving in the Air Force, Rich was an instructor in the T-38, flew the UH-1N helicopter at Fairchild for Search and Rescue, and attended the Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md. where he graduated top of his class. He retired from Edwards Air Force Base in California with the rank of Lt. Colonel after 20 years of active service.

Following his retirement in 1993, Rich and Karen, plus their two daughters, Erin and Jamie, returned to the Cheney area and spent a year building their new home, The Flying R Ranch.  After a few years teaching at local colleges, he was hired as a test pilot and engineer at Rocket Engineering in 1997. 

He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and enjoyed flying to Oshkosh, Wis. to attend their annual air show. Rich not only loved to fly but also enjoyed building airplanes and taking friends for rides in his plane, which he kept in his personal hanger on the ranch. 

He was physically active and ran several marathons and more than 20 Bloomsday races.  On the ranch Rich was often found tending his herd of sheep, nurturing his home garden with help from his granddaughter and caring for all the animals that their family has collected over the years. 

A life-long devoted Christian and member of Cheney United Methodist Church, Rich lived his faith through service to others. Whether it was neighbors in need of help around their property or family projects or requests for volunteers at church, Rich was always eager and willing to lend a hand.  Those who know him will remember him for his never-ending patience and non-anxious presence even when training novice pilots.

Rich is survived by his wife, Karen and daughters Erin (Paul Jennings and granddaughter Ava) and Jamie (Adam Weingart).  Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Cheney United Methodist Church at 204 Fourth St. (reception to follow) and Rocket Engineering at Felts Field at 5 p.m. Cheney Funeral Chapel. Visit the online guestbook at cheneyfuneral.com.