Obituary of Richard Eugene Vandenberg

Richard Eugene Vandenberg, 72, of Osage Beach, Missouri, passed away on November 24, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his family after a long struggle with COPD.

Richard, “Dick”, was born on March 19, 1950 and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, where he attended Washington High School.  He was a proud alumnus of the class of 1968.

Richard earned his journey-man painter status from the Santa Fe Railroad, painting locomotives and various other railroad equipment.  In 1987, he went to work for TWA painting the new TWA schemes on jet planes.  He was proud to have worked on the “Connie” airplane that is still part of the TWA legacy.  He continued to work at the Kansas City Overhaul base when TWA was taken over by American Airlines until his retirement in 2005.

Airline and World War II history were meaningful subjects to Richard, and he and his Aunt May donated WWII uniforms worn by his father and uncle Arthur which are displayed in the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing Museum in Camarillo, California.  Richard volunteered his skills at the CAF Southern California Wing assisting with maintenance and painting the planes on display there.  He enjoyed his time spent at the CAF Southern California Wing and it was his way of using his skills to show how much he loved his country and supported our military.

Richard enjoyed traveling, watching football, baseball, and even golf.  He loved watching his kids and grandkids play sports and was proud of all of them.

Richard is survived by his wife of 50 years and friend, Barbara Gail Vandenberg, of the home; their three children: Garrett Vandenberg and his wife Kim, of Clinton, Missouri, Mark Vandenberg, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Kara Martorana and her husband Sal, of Smithville, Missouri.  He also leaves Sandra Vandenberg, his daughter and Richard Vandenberg, his son from a previous relationship.  He will be missed by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother Edward, of Gladstone, Missouri, and many other family members, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services are to be held at Preaching Point Church, 10966 Missouri 7, Clinton, Missouri, on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 10:00am.  Please feel free to come and say goodbye to a good man.