Lt. Col. Richard E Maxwell

RICHARD E. MAXWELL an OFFICER and a GENTLEMAN Lt. Col. Richard E. Maxwell, age 89, loving husband, devoted father, retired US Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel of Palatine, IL since 1976, formerly of Grosse Pointe, MI, and Nashville, TN, at eternal rest in the arms of Our Father in heaven on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Beloved husband of Gail C. Maxwell for 65 years. Loving father of Gail Allison (David) White, Miriam Elizabeth (David M. Kutney) Maxwell, and Diana Claire Maxwell. Dear son of the late Rose Mae (Lowman) and George Eldon Maxwell. Memorial service to be held Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1190 N Hicks Rd, Palatine, IL 60067. All are welcome. Below are the livestream links for Saturday’s service: https://youtu.be/0DljR_ou-Vs https://www.facebook.com/poplc/posts/3496073183769529 https://www.pop.church/live Burial will be at a later date in Nashville, TN. Richard was born in June of 1931, in Portland, IN, and moved to Nashville, TN at an early age. He graduated from East Nashville High School in 1950 and Tennessee Tech University in 1955. He was a member of the ROTC Signal Corps and Tennessee Tech ROTC Alumni Chapter. Richard married the love of his life, Gail, who was with him during military and civilian locations in Texas, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Michigan, and Illinois. Three daughters were welcomed in Nashville to make the young family whole. Richard entered navigator school as 2nd Lt. at Ellington AFB, Houston, TX in 1955 and flew as navigator w /Air Defense Command. Following release from active duty in 1958, he joined the Tennessee Air National Guard in Nashville and promoted to Captain. After transferring to the Air Force Reserve in 1959 to Air Rescue Squadron, he rose to the rank of Major. In 1975 he earned his Master Navigator designation and rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1977 Richard added the role of Air Force ROTC Liaison Officer and was the first officer to have a dual role which was expanded to Air Force Academy Liaison Officer in 1979. During his three-year tenure, he qualified more ROTC scholarships to the University of Illinois than any other liaison officer, as well as five cadets who qualified for the Air Force Academy. He retired from the Air Force in 1982 and awarded his second Air Force Commendation Medal. Richard earned numerous ribbons and medals during his time of service, including the Distinguished Service Ribbon (1965), Vietnam Gallantry Ribbon with Palm, and Air Force Commendation Medal (1978, 1982). He wore them proudly for the privilege of having served a greater purpose. In addition to his service in the Air National Guard and later, the Air Force Reserves, he was employed by Royal Insurance Company in Nashville in 1959. He earned both Man of the Year award for Sales and Marketing Executives Association in 1968 and rated No. 1 State Agent in the USA. Continuing with Royal Insurance, Richard and his family relocated to Grosse Pointe, MI in 1969 where he was named marketing manager in 1972. He developed Royal’s first Commercial Mass Marketing program, and Royal Insurance appointed him to Board of Directors in 1974. Richard retired from Royal Insurance in 1986 and took on a second career. Richard’s resume stated his objective succinctly: “To have any employer acknowledge their firm is better because they employed me." Roanoke Brokerage Services Inc. hired Richard as Director of Compliance. There he established programs to support corporate responsibility for quality assurance and licensing. He was also President of the Chicago Board of Underwriters until his final retirement in 2000. Remaining active even after retirement in the Palatine Citizen Corps Council where he had been involved since 1976, as well state Republican committees, he also carefully researched and wrote his book, “United States - Self Destruction," published in 2010 as a historically, fact-based political critique. An enthusiastic lifelong learner, Richard conquered new frontiers like Facebook, LinkedIn, and email to stay connected to his daughters and friends by leaving a trail of e-conversation reminding to drive the speed limit and save money for rainy days instead of sports cars. He firmly drew the line at text messages asking that we just call and talk about it. Richard religiously followed political and economic news, championed the right to vote, never missing a single state or national election, including the upcoming election. By example, he taught his daughters many of the attributes that were important to him: family, friendship, hard work, education, and not throwing the first punch in a fight (although it was OK to throw the second). His daughters are thankful for the joyous memories left to them and most of all, the unconditional love and support he gave them. Richard was devoted to his wife and children, often navigating a trip to meet whenever their travels brought them near. Richard and Gail traveled the world including England, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia (Tasmania) making friends along the way,. They researched their ancestral roots in Scotland and met with daughter, Gail Allison, in Christchurch, New Zealand after Allison completed the Milford Trek. The photographs of faraway places continue to sustain us. Richard was a longtime congregational member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Palatine, Illinois and served as Elder including 3 terms as Congregation President from 1987-2000. He may now be singing with his bass voice along with the heavenly choir. If you choose, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either KAY'S ANIMAL SHELTER, INC. 2705 North Arlington Height Rd Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004 Tel: 1 (847) 259-2907 Web: https://kaysanimalshelter.org/donate-now SALVATION ARMY Salvation Army Service Extension Department c/o Marie Dade 5040 N. Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60630 Tel: 773-725-1100 https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metro/