Colonel Ret. Richard E. Lorix

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Lorix, Richard E., Colonel (Ret.) Richard E. Lorix, Colonel (Retired) United States Army, passed away at age 87 on March 12, 2019 in Cape Coral, Florida, sur-rounded by his family. Dick was a resident of Florida and returned home to Minnesota during the summers. He was born in 1932 in Duluth, graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1950, and from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Dick was drafted into the Army in 1954. After completing Basic Training, Dick attended Officers Candidate School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. In his early years he trained and served with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. During his 30 years of active duty military service, he commanded numerous combat units including elements of the 101st Airborne and the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment along the Czech border while stationed in Germany during the height of the Cold War. Dick served two combat tours in Vietnam. His first assignment in 1965 placed him in the mountain highlands where he trained the Vietnamese tribal people and worked closely in training and defense operations with the South Vietnamese Army. The height of his military service was commanding the 1st Armored Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron in 1971 and 1972, conducting combat and reconnaissance operations north of Danang. He expressed enormous respect and admiration for the many young soldiers who served their country so well during this time of conflict. His leadership was marked by steadfast resolve and fairness to those in his command. He was a highly decorated infantry and armor officer. His family always respected him for his service and sacrifice for his country. Dick married his high school sweetheart, Donna, shortly after entering the Army. In their 64 years of marriage they travelled the country and world together, a remarkable testament to their love and devotion for one another. His frequent military travels placed the Lorix family in no fewer than 13 states as well as overseas assignments. His service included numerous postings to the Pentagon, where at one point he served as the Pentagon Commandant. Despite his travels, Minnesota has always been called home and Lake Superior beckoned every summer. Dick was the consum-mate family man and vacations were spent with his family, of-ten times in transit to a new assignment. Dick was an athlete and played football, basketball and ran track in high school and UMD. He loved sailing and boating on Lake Superior, the St. Croix River, and the Florida Gulf Coast. He was a voracious reader and student of American and military history. Most of all, Dick was an unfailing, perfect husband, fa-ther and grandfather. He will be missed by all. He is to be re-membered for his quiet wit, patience and devotion to family and friends. Dick is survived by his loving wife, Donna; children, Kelley and Desiree; and grandchildren, Wes, Morgan, Erik, Evan, Ethan and Emma. A memorial service, with a reception to follow, is planned for June 14, 2019 at 2:00 at Park Hill Cemetery, Duluth.

Published on April 22, 2019