Richard G. "Dicko" Ohlheiser

RICHARD GEORGE OHLHEISER "DickO", Col. USAF Ret.OKLAHOMA CITY – Richard George "DickO" Ohlheiser, 93, of Oklahoma City, OK, died Sunday, January 16, 2022, following a courageous fight with lung cancer. He died peacefully after a few days at the Integris Hospice House following 6 months of loving caregiving and management of his affairs in his home. Although Dick resided in Oklahoma City in recent years, after his retirement he lived in Delta County, Colorado for 40 years.Dick was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on May 4, 1928, to Paul V, Sr. and Marie T. Ohlheiser. He and his brother Paul V, Jr. grew up in Lincoln and attended Lincoln High. Dick served in the Army 1946-1947 just prior to the Korean conflict. In 1948, while attending the University of Nebraska, Dick married Barbara Haning.In 1951, Dick's desire for adventure and broadening his horizons came into play when he "jumped into a '36 Ford Coupe with a wife, 2 kids, no money and no uniform" and headed out to Perrin AFB, Texas for pilot training. From that T-6 single engine plane in pilot training to the C141 Starlifter Jet Transporter which brought him to Tinker AFB in 1964, Dick was constantly expanding his knowledge about aircraft. He wound up his career as Aircraft and Squadron Commander of the C5 Jumbo Jet at Dover AFB, Delaware. Dick absolutely loved flying.Throughout his life Dick demonstrated a thirst for fun, challenge and enlightenment. He was passionate about a variety of hobbies over the years from snow skiing, golfing, hunting, boating/water-skiing, sailing, camping, hiking, playing the flute, motorcycling, sports car driving, ATVing in the mountains, being a glider pilot, gardening and, his most recent passion, Pickleball. He was quite an ambassador for the sport and recruited family members. Dick sought truth and enlightenment in his reading and the study of Buddhism and Reiki. His favorite Buddhist philosophy was from the Dali Lama "My religion is kindness". Dick is survived by his 9 children, Jim Ohlheiser, John Ohlheiser & wife Nicki, Nancy Hardman and husband Greg, Michael Ohlheiser, Terri Ebbinghouse, Jeanie Mitchell, Sean Claydon & wife Chris, Brian Claydon & wife Julie and Amy Claydon as well as 21 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Marie Ohlheiser, his brother Paul Jr & sister-in-law Avalon, and wives Barbara, Mary, Molly and Joy, his son-in-law, Larry Mitchell and his beloved lab of 14 years, Jake.A memorial service for Dick will be held at a later date. His ashes will be scattered with other family members in his beloved Colorado.In lieu of flowers, please donate to the wonderful people at Integris Hospice and/or St. Jude Children's Hospital.