Obituary of John Richard Dill

John Richard Dill

John Richard Dill, age 79, died on Thursday, August 24, 2107, surrounded by 11 family members.  Born in Rahway and reared in Roselle Park, he and his wife Marilyn resided in North Plainfieldand enjoyed spending their summers in Rangeley, ME and winters in St. Augustine, FL.

Mr. Dill received a BS in Biology from Gettysburg College in 1959.  After graduating, he commissioned in the US Air Force and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel.  He became the youngest Aircraft Commander in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and a B-52 pilot during the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.  After decommissioning from the USAF, Mr. Dill was a commercial airline pilot for American Airlines for 30 years before retiring.

Mr. Dill was an ordained Episcopal Deacon and member of St. Andrew Church in New Providence. He belonged to the Freemasons and was Past Master of Loyalty Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Union, NJ.  He enjoyed skiing, playing golf, asking WGARA, and sending e-mails (lots) to those he loved.  His generosity, compassion, and sense of humor were known by many.

Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; his children, Eric and his wife Karen, Ronald, and Caroline and her husband Matthew; his sisters, Jane, and Anne and her husband William. He is also survived by his grandchildren Evan and his wife Tiffany, and Andrew; sisters and brothers in law, Marge; Marcia & Howard; Jackie (Red) & Ron; and 12 nieces and nephews.

Visitation at Funeral Home

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Thursday, August 31, 2017
Higgins Home for Funerals
752 Mountain Blvd.
Watchung, New Jersey, 07069

Funeral Service at St. Andrews Episcopal Chruch

10:00 AM Friday, September 1, 2017, 419 South St, New Providence, NJ 07974.

Memorial donations may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, or to the Church of the Good Shepherd, PO Box 156, Rangeley, ME 04970.