Richard William Kalishek

Tuesday, July 21, 2020 1:43 pm

Richard William Kalishek, 79, passed peacefully from complications of Alzheimer’s dementia Friday, July 10, 2020, at Poets Walk care facility in San Antonio, Texas. In consideration of current events in San Antonio and elsewhere, his ashes will be interred at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio Texas at a date later to be determined.

Richard was born in Cresco to Richard Joseph Kalishek and Agnes (Bouska) Kalishek of Protivin. He graduated from Rudolphinum High School in Protivin in 1958 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Loras College in Dubuque in 1962. In November of 1962 he married Judith Ann Otting of Cascade. In August of 1962 Richard joined the United States Air Force and was admitted into the Officer Training Program. Richard held many different positions during his 21 years in the Air force. He commanded a Titan II missile crew, worked for NASA at Mission Control in Houston, Texas as well as Launch Control in Cape Canaveral, Fla. He also was assigned to a tracking station in Perth, Australia for a launch mission. Richard’s assignments saw him stationed in other states as well – Arkansas, Ohio and Washington D.C. Richard retired from the military after 21 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

After retiring from the Air Force, Richard embarked on a new career with Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas in 1983. In 1999 he moved to San Antonio, Texas and worked for USAA for a few years before deciding to retire permanently. He spent as much time as he could enjoying the weather and golfing as often as possible, sometimes five days per week.

Left to mourn Richard’s passing are his two children, Tim Kalishek of San Antonio, Texas and Jennifer (Kalishek) McCalip and granddaughter Parker McCalip of Daton, Ohio. He also is survived by his sister, Carole (Kalishek) Shores, of Dallas, Texas, his brothers Marty Kalishek of Superior, Wis. and Bill Kalishek of Decorah.

Richard was preceded in death by both his parents and his sister, Ann Kalishek Campbell.