Major Richard B. Vaughters USAF, Retired, 85, of New Salem, Kansas, passed away Sunday morning, September 8, 2019 at his home.

Born January 10, 1934, in Newkirk, Oklahoma, he was the son of William H. and Hazel (Chandler) Vaughters. He was raised and received his education in Winfield, Kansas, graduating from Winfield High School in 1952. Following school, he worked for two years as a draftsman for Boeing. On a bet with a friend as to whether he could pass the Air Force entrance exam, Dick joined the United States Air Force in 1954. He went through basic training at Lackland AFB and Primary Flight School at Graham AFB before graduating from flight school from Greenville AFB in Mississippi. There were over 200 people in his flight school, and he graduated second in his class. He was then stationed at Laughlin AFB in Texas.

Dick was united in marriage to Allene Lumbert on November 20, 1955 in her parent's living room in New Salem. Over the next 20 years, the couple lived all over the world as Dick was stationed at many different Air Force Bases, flying primarily the RF-101 and RF-4C. They were stationed at Luke AFB in Arizona, Shaw AFB in South Carolina, Spangdahem AFB in Germany, Phalsbourg AFB in France, Laon AFB in France, Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, as well as serving in Vietnam and Korea. During his time in the Air Force he obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha in general studies with a concentration in history. Dick retired from the United States Air Force as a Major on March 1, 1974. He then began working as a test pilot for Cessna at Strother Field. He remained at Cessna for over 11 years, retiring in 1987. Then worked for Raytheon as a technical writer on flight manuals, before retiring his final time in 1996. While in the Air Force and while working as a test pilot for Cessna, he never lost or left an airplane. He always got them back on the ground.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winfield, as well as the American Legion, and served as President of Cowley County Farm Bureau. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed skeet shooting and sporting clays.

His family includes his wife Allene of New Salem; his children, Kevin Vaughters and wife, Joy of Edna; Susie Blasi and husband, Bob of Pratt; David Vaughters and wife, Mary of Rose Hill; his brother Raymond Vaughters of Derby; his grandchildren, Chantel Martinie; Derek Vaughters and wife, Angelina; Bronson Blasi and wife, Kate; Kaylee Vaughters; Madison Vaughters; and his three great grandchildren, Audra, Aiden, and Leia.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Margie Vaughters.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 13, 2019 at 3:00 P.M. at Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at New Salem Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 4 to 6 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Dick's name for the First Presbyterian Church and for Victory in the Valley. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.