Richard Lee Hackler

Richard Lee Hackler, 83, of Bloomington, passed away on June 19, 2017 at Hearthstone Health Campus. Dick was born in Monticello, Indiana on March 28, 1934. In 1954, he began pilot training in the USAF, Class 55-P. He served 20 years in the USAF, retiring as a Major. His primary duty was as a B-52 Instructor Pilot. He flew 198 combat missions in Vietnam and his highest decoration was the Distinguished Flying Cross. Dick and Phyllis Rich married near the beginning of his Air Force career. She was his greatest supporter for 52 years until her death in 2008. He married Doris Craig Fisher in 2012. After retiring from the USAF, he was a pilot for the local commuter, Britt Airways, which provided non-stop service from Monroe County Airport to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, for ten years. The final five years of his flying career were spent in the charter department and flying the proving runs for a new service in the Pacific from Guam to Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Dick greatly enjoyed sports and was a Bloomington High School varsity player participating in football, basketball, and baseball, and was named all state in football. He coached Little League baseball for four years while he was stationed in California. He was a member of the Bloomington Country Club for 26 years where he scored his only hole in one in 1991. Dick was the eldest son of Sheldon Vernon Hackler and Mary Honora (Sims) Hackler. He attended Fairview Elementary School, graduated from Bloomington High School in 1952, and attended Indiana University for two years before entering pilot training. He completed his college education at Chapman College, graduating in 1975. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis, parents-in-law Claude and Gertrude Rich, brother LeRoy, son Steven, and grandson Cory. Survivors include his wife, Doris, siblings Robert (Jane), Ron (Ellie), RuthAnn (Ben) Walden, brother Rick (Debbie), son Rod (Laurie), daughter-in-law Lisa, brother-in-law David Rich, and grandchildren Trent (Brianna), Amber, Lauren, and Matthew. Noticing a change in his physical condition, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1995, which he battled from that time forward. The Monroe Veterans Honor Guard will perform military rites at graveside at Valhalla Memorial Gardens, at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2017, with a gathering of friends will follow. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington, have been entrusted with arrangements. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to the family at www.allencares.com

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Richard Lee Hackler

March 28, 1934 - June 19, 2017