Richard Henry Van Bergen

SERVICES: Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church with Rev. Linda Kelly, rector, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Van Bergen was born Dec. 12, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and enlisted at the age of 17. He served with the 82nd Airborne and received an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy where he graduated in 1952. In 1952, he entered the U. S. Air Force where he was a pilot flying B-29 and KC-97 aircrafts. He received some of his pilot training in Lubbock where he flew over the Texas Panhandle and fell in love with the blue sky and tumbleweeds. Richard married Sandra Hardenbrook on Aug. 14, 1954 at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. In 1956, he began his career as an engineer in the oil and gas industry where his business travels took him around the world. He settled in Pampa 25 years ago where he was a member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.SURVIVORS: Wife: Sandra Van Bergen of the home; 2 daughters: Heidi Van Bergen and husband Ted Leonard of Yuma, CO, and Carrie Van Bergen and husband Jack Zanger of Amarillo; 4 grandchildren: Pearl Leonard, Alan Leonard, George Leonard, and Lauren Leonard. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Laura Van Bergen.MEMORIALS: Good Samaritan Christian Services, 309 N. Ward, Pampa, TX 79065 or St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School Scholarship Fund, 727 W. Browning, Pampa, TX 79065.