Richard Wayne Strickler

 Captain Richard Strickler, USN, Retired

Richard “Rich” Strickler passed away on August 14, 2024, at the age of 76 in Jacksonville, Florida. Born on May 22, 1948, in Hastings, Nebraska, Rich grew up in Worland, Wyoming, graduating from Worland High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wyoming, Laramie.

 Designated as a Naval Aviator in 1972, Rich dedicated 30 years of service in the United States Navy. His accomplishments include serving as the Commanding Officer of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Fifteen (HS-15), Executive Officer of the USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) and Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX. Rich should be envied for his passion for his Naval Service. He embraced his duties and travels, especially while serving on several aircraft carriers and duty in Japan. He felt like he missed nothing in life because of it. After Navy retirement he worked at USAA in Military Affairs, San Antonio, Texas. He retired to Jacksonville, Florida in 2010 to be close to family and be a dedicated Grandpa. Besides his family, his other joys were the Strickler family cabin in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, fly fishing, happy hour on Meadowlark Lake while trolling for trout, playing golf and skiing the expert slopes.

 He is survived by his wife, Nancy Ferrell Strickler, sons Robert Strickler (wife Amy), Mike Strickler (wife Jana); stepdaughter Kate Maggi; grandchildren, Gabrielle, Emma, and Luca; sister Barbara Strickler Groom (husband John); Uncle Harold Coe; former spouse Christine White Edgington, mother of his sons. Rich was preceded in death by his father, C.D. “Red” Strickler and mother, Eleanor Strickler.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home, 3600 Third Street South Jacksonville Beach, Florida. A reception will follow from 1:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. at Refinery Jax Beach, 831 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. Inurnment of his cremated remains is planned for Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or give online at support.communityhospice.com.

Friends often heard Rich say, “Who loves ya”, I think it’s safe to say “Who loves ya Rich..Yes we all do”.