Colonel Richard (Rich) Wayne Balstad (Retired), 80, of Wichita Falls, passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14th at Lunn's. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 15 ^th at Lunn's with Reverend Ernie Barr officiating. Private interment will be at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

A son of the late Irene (Thykeson) and Marvin Balstad, Rich was born on February 22, 1941, in Portland, North Dakota. He graduated from Mayville State University with majors in Mathematics and Business. Rich married Ruth (Dornacker) Balstad, after her college graduation, on December 21 ^st , 1963. Because of their small town, it was humorously said that they had known each other since the first grade.

After his college graduation, Rich was commissioned as a 2 ^nd lieutenant in the United State Air Force and assigned to pilot training in Big Spring, Tx. After graduating from pilot training Rich was assigned to fly the F-4C Phantom and given orders to Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam.

Before proceeding to Vietnam, in 1965, his younger brother Steven joined the family with the passing of their mother. He was followed by their children: Richard Jr., Robert, Rachel, and later grandson Andrew.

While in Vietnam Rich flew 100 combat mission over North Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary aerial combat.

After Vietnam, Rich continued to successfully complete numerous flying assignments, culminating in his personal favorite, as Squadron Commander of the 494 Tactical Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England, flying the F-111F. As Colonel Balstad moved forward in his leadership career the young flyers respected his love of flying, fairness in all things, and teaching skills.

After over 28 years of military service, Rich retired out of Sheppard Air Force Base as a Colonel and Commander of the 3700 ^th Tech Training Wing.

After retirement, Rich continued working in the military flying business working as an instructor at Midwestern State University, where he prepared Italian Instructor pilots and students for operating in the US flying environment.

Rich had many hobbies, including photography, which he started at a very young age. Over his life he took and catalogued over 50,000 pictures. He also enjoyed taking his family to Air Shows and car racing, particularly Formula One. Rich was also an avid reader and a dedicated student of military history.

Along with his parents, Richard was also preceded in death by his brothers Charles, Michael and Steven.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth; his three children Richard Jr. (Kim),Robert (kimkay), and Rachel (Dr Chris Chambers); his grandchildren Richard III (Jessica) and Kyle Balstad; Bethany, Brady, and Ben Balstad; Andrew Golden and Connor, Justin, Camdyn, and Carter Chambers; his great grandchildren Aaron, Aria, Emma, and McKayla Balstad; and sister-in-law Sandy Balstad.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, Texas 76310.