Richard Kenneth "Rick" Macauley passed away suddenly on May 3, 2012. Rick was born in Rochester, New York on August 18, 1946 to Lucille and Kenneth Macauley. The family moved to Las Vegas when he was six years old, and always considered it his home. He graduated from Las Vegas High School and the University of Nevada Reno majoring in journalism. While growing up in Las Vegas, Rick enjoyed scuba diving, fencing, martial arts and scouting where he received his Eagle Scout Award.
After a year long nationwide trip in his milk truck he joined the Army, became a decorated helicopter pilot, and served in the 3rd of the 17th Air Cavalry. As a result of his service, he wrote the book "Charley Horse: America's 'Day by Day' Air Cavalry, Vietnam War Correspondences".
After his military service Rick returned to Las Vegas where he married Bonnie Ann Davis and adopted their wonderful son Skyler. At this time he was instrumental in funding the Ronald McDonald House, was an active member of the Las Vegas JCs, and started the Nifty Nickel newspaper. At this time he worked as a photographer/reporter for the Las Vegas Sun.
Rick moved to Reno to pursue his life as an author and a teacher of grantsmanship. There he met his companion Mary Mingo. Rick was active in the Reno Air Race Foundation, the local Boy Scouts, EAA, and the Aviation and Aeronautics Advancement Alliance.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother. Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, David and Connie Macauley, son and daughter-in-law, Skyler and Angela Macauley, all of Las Vegas and his companion, Mary Mingo of Reno.
Close friends of Rick are invited to an open house Sunday, May 6 from 12 until 4 at 3520 San Mateo, Reno for a celebration of his life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Reno Air Race Foundation or to the local Boy Scouts of America area council. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?pid=157472134#sthash.iijIpJoT.dpuf
Rick Macauley
I want to share a story about Rick Macauley. Rick as you
probably remember was a key member of the "Sleeper Creepers"!
Unfortunately Rick is not with us any longer. He passed away in 2012.
Rick served in Viet Nam as a helicopter pilot evacuating wounded soldiers
to safety and medical treatment for over a year. He and I were roomies upon his return to LV from Nam a few months before December 1971. Rick and I put together a Christmas variation to the song "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night and we sang it and other Christmas Carols around town, mostly senior's homes and shut ins on his first Christmas back to LV. Rick had a gift for playing the ukulele as well as other stringed instruments including the regular Bass Fiddle. Rick taught me some chords on the Bass and off we went in a VW Micro Bus doing our Christmas thing for the old folks who loved it! He was a great guy, a patriot who served his country and risked his life many times to get our wounded flown out of harm’s way to medical treatment.
Rick wrote a book about his Viet Nam experiences called
"Charley Horse: America's Day by Day Air Cavalry, Vietnam War Correspondences".
Steve Browne
http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?pid=158045772
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?pid=157472134
Richard Kenneth Macauley
August 18, 1946
May 3, 2012
Richard Kenneth "Rick" Macauley passed away suddenly on May 3, 2012. Rick was born in Rochester, New York on August 18, 1946 to Lucille and Kenneth Macauley. The family moved to Las Vegas when he was six years old, and always considered it his home. He graduated from Las Vegas High School and the University of Nevada Reno majoring in journalism. While growing up in Las Vegas, Rick enjoyed scuba diving, fencing, martial arts and scouting where he received his Eagle Scout Award.
After a year long nationwide trip in his milk truck he joined the Army, became a decorated helicopter pilot, and served in the 3rd of the 17th Air Cavalry. As a result of his service, he wrote the book "Charley Horse: America's 'Day by Day' Air Cavalry, Vietnam War Correspondences".
After his military service Rick returned to Las Vegas where he married Bonnie Ann Davis and adopted their wonderful son Skyler. At this time he was instrumental in funding the Ronald McDonald House, was an active member of the Las Vegas JCs, and started the Nifty Nickel newspaper. At this time he worked as a photographer/reporter for the Las Vegas Sun.
Rick moved to Reno to pursue his life as an author and a teacher of grantsmanship. There he met his companion Mary Mingo. Rick was active in the Reno Air Race Foundation, the local Boy Scouts, EAA, and the Aviation and Aeronautics Advancement Alliance.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother. Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, David and Connie Macauley, son and daughter-in-law, Skyler and Angela Macauley, all of Las Vegas and his companion, Mary Mingo of Reno.
Close friends of Rick are invited to an open house Sunday, May 6 from 12 until 4 at 3520 San Mateo, Reno for a celebration of his life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Reno Air Race Foundation or to the local Boy Scouts of America area council.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?pid=157472134#sthash.iijIpJoT.dpuf
Steve Browne
Rick Macauley
I want to share a story about Rick Macauley. Rick as you
probably remember was a key member of the "Sleeper Creepers"!
Unfortunately Rick is not with us any longer. He passed away in 2012.
Rick served in Viet Nam as a helicopter pilot evacuating wounded soldiers
to safety and medical treatment for over a year. He and I were roomies upon his return to LV from Nam a few months before December 1971. Rick and I put together a Christmas variation to the song "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night and we sang it and other Christmas Carols around town, mostly senior's homes and shut ins on his first Christmas back to LV. Rick had a gift for playing the ukulele as well as other stringed instruments including the regular Bass Fiddle. Rick taught me some chords on the Bass and off we went in a VW Micro Bus doing our Christmas thing for the old folks who loved it! He was a great guy, a patriot who served his country and risked his life many times to get our wounded flown out of harm’s way to medical treatment.
Rick wrote a book about his Viet Nam experiences called
"Charley Horse: America's Day by Day Air Cavalry, Vietnam War Correspondences".