Richard Joseph Duprey

Richard Joseph Duprey, 73, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2021, surrounded by family.

He was born to Joseph C. Duprey and Barbara Quarles on November 6, 1947, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Richard graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1966 and joined the Air Force shortly thereafter. He graduated Test Pilot school in 1978 and obtained both an undergraduate and master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, as well as an MBA. Most of his time in the United States Air Force was as a flight test engineer, and he retired from the Air Force in 1992 as a highly decorated major.

Richard had many different jobs in the aviation community, logging over 10,000 flight hours and flying 136 different types and models (half of which were experimental). He worked as Chief Pilot for a number of flight schools and air charter companies. Some highlights of his career included his being selected in 1981 for astronaut training to be part of the 1st Combat Space Wing, though the program never materialized. From 1981 to 1986, Richard was the deputy director for the B-1B Test Program, a bomber used by the United States Air Force. He was awarded the “Defense Weapon System Management Excellence Award” by the Secretary of Defense for his management of that B-1B Test Program in 1983. Afterwards, he worked as an associate professor for the USAF Academy until 1990, where he developed a new flight mechanics curriculum into a two-year program, which allowed students to major in that area. At the time of his death, Richard worked as an Airworthiness Manager for USAF Special Operations Forces and Personnel Recovery.

Richard was a man of great faith. He fell in love with the Anglican denomination in 1999 and was very involved in his local church in the various states he lived in. In Texas, he was an active member of the healing ministry. He saw many miraculous acts of healing, but he would always say that sometimes the only way for full healing to occur was for them to be reunited with God in heaven. We know he is there now with the Lord he loved so much.

Richard is survived by his wife Veronique; his children Wendy, Cory, Sabrina, and Audrey; his grandchildren Megan and Emma; and his siblings Esther Lucchese, James Duprey and wife Vickie, Denise Grimmett, and Michele Small and husband John.
He was preceded in death by his son Todd, his brother Paul, and his parents Joseph Duprey and Barbara Quarles.

Richard was known for having strong opinions that he loved to bring up and debate with others, but even stronger was his kindness. He was extremely generous to not only family and friends but many charities, as that was how he showed his love. He lived a full life and was always happy to share stories from it.

He loved his family, including his dogs, going to the shooting range, hunting, flying, listening to Frank Sinatra and Celtic music, admiring nature (especially snow), and making sure his house was always the most colorful and brightly decorated at Christmas. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. This winter, please think of him as you put up your Christmas lights (and know that he’s looking down thinking you need twice as many).

Visitation will be on September 8, 2021, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Indiana Funeral Care, 8151 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250. The funeral Mass will be September 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at his church, St. Anne’s Anglican Mission, Coyner Lodge at Davis Park, 4507 Nichol Ave, Anderson, IN 46011. The graveside service with military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Marion National Cemetery, 1700 E 38th St, Marion, IN 46953.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in his honor to Boys Town, (https://support.boystown.org/site/Donation2?3160.donation=form1&df_id=3160&mfc_pref=T) his favorite charity, or to St. Anne’s, at their mailing address: 2423 Caramore Circle, Anderson, IN 46011. Cards for the family can also be sent there. We respectfully ask no flowers be sent to their home due to allergies.