[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING RICHARD ADAM STROMBRES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 2021

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I would like to include 
in the Record the following obituary for Richard Adam Stombres.

       Richard Adam Stombres
       September 24, 1936-June 19, 2021
       It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Richard A. 
     Stombres passed away at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, 
     Arizona on June 19, 2021. He was born on September 24, 1936 
     in Aurora, Illinois to Adam H. Stombres and Frances May 
     Jeffers Stombres.
       The Stombres family, including Richard and his younger 
     brother Don, moved from Illinois to Phoenix in 1946. His 
     youngest brother Glenn and his sister Patrice were both born 
     in Phoenix. Richard graduated from West High School in 1954. 
     He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, 
     Arizona State University, and Boston University where he 
     earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. While he would 
     live in many places throughout his life, he always considered 
     Arizona to be his home.
       Richard joined the Army in 1961 and faithfully served his 
     country for 28 years as an Infantry Officer. He was a 
     graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Ranger 
     School, the Airborne Course, the Pathfinder Course, the 
     Marine Amphibious Warfare School, and the Command and General 
     Staff College.
       Lieutenant Stombres was assigned to the 101st Airborne 
     Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky when he met Vickie M. 
     Hayes from Clarksville, Tennessee. They were married at Fort 
     Campbell in 1961. Lieutenant Stombres was sent to Vietnam in 
     1963 where he served as a Military Advisor to the Army of the 
     Republic of Vietnam until July of 1964 when he was wounded in 
     action. He would go on to serve a second tour in Vietnam from 
     1967 to 1968 where he was attached to the Military Assistance 
     Command, Vietnam (MACV).
       Upon his return from Vietnam, Richard was stationed at 
     numerous bases around the world including Fort Hood, Texas; 
     Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Ord, California; Frankfurt, 
     Germany; the Pentagon; and AFCENT HQ in Brunssum, the 
     Netherlands. Dick and Vickie's two boys, Richard and Steven 
     were born in 1969 and 1970 when then-Major Stombres was 
     serving in the Army's Old Guard and stationed at Fort Myer, 
     Virginia.
       Richard was the recipient of the Bronze Star medal with Oak 
     Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, 
     the Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Service Stars, the Republic 
     of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the 
     Ranger Tab, the Airborne Badge, and numerous other ribbons 
     and decorations.
       Richard married Joan Giambruno of Glen Cove, New York in 
     March of 1984. After retiring from the Army, Richard was able 
     to work in the furniture business with his brother Don. He 
     also indulged the other passion of his life, teaching. He and 
     Joan lived in West Hartford Connecticut; Seal Beach, 
     California; Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, and Colorado Springs, 
     Colorado.
       Richard eventually returned home to Arizona. In 2012, 
     Richard married Nancy Huemoeller of Lanesboro, Pennsylvania 
     who described him as ``The Best Husband in the World.'' They 
     lived in Mesa, Arizona where they were active members of the 
     Central Christian Church of Arizona. Richard and Nancy loved 
     to go dancing, travel, and visit family.
       Richard was preceded in death by his father Adam, his 
     mother Frances, his brother Glenn, and his wife Nancy.
       Richard is survived by his son Richard, Jr. (Heather) 
     Stombres of Fairfax, Virginia; his son Steven (Kristen) 
     Stombres of Fairfax, Virginia; his brother Donald (Grace) 
     Stombres of Scottsdale, Arizona; his sister Patrice Babcock 
     of Moorpark, California, and his grandchildren Katherine 
     Stombres, Elaine Stombres, Abigail Stombres, Samuel Stombres, 
     and James Stombres of Fairfax, Virginia.
       Richard lived a long and wonderful life full of love and 
     laughter. He was a devout Christian, faithful servant to his 
     country, a loving husband, a caring brother, and wonderful 
     father. We will miss you every day.
       Condolences may be left on Richard A. Stombres online guest 
     book at www.sonoranskiesmortuaryaz.com.

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