This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/8186 Message Board Post: Daily Independent newspaper Ridgecrest CA Kern County May 15, 2005 RICHARD EDWIN "DR. K" KISTLER 1931-2005 Longtime Ridgecrest resident Richard Edwin "Dr. K" Kistler passed away of natural causes at Ridgecrest Healthcare Center Tuesday May 3, 2005. He was 73. A memorial service will be held Wednesday May 18 at 11 am at Immanuel Christian Ministry Center, 1201 N. China Lake Blvd. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be sent to D.E.L.T.A. Rescue, PO Box 9, Glendale CA 91209. Dr. K was born June 20, 1931 to Samuel Edwin and Jewel Marguerite Kistler in Lundington, Mich. He spent most of his early years in Oregon. A graduate of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. he received a bachelor's degree, cum laude, in mathematics in 1952 and four years later was the recipient of a master's degree in education from the University of Portland. when he joined the civilian work force at China Lake in 1962 he was working on his doctorate in management science which he received at Stanford Univeristy in 1964. In the eight years that he worked with the weapons planning group his responsibilities grew from those of an operations research analyst to those of project leader and program director for anti-air warfare studies, in addition to serving as the associate for program planning. He served as the associate for resource management for three years prior to becoming the head, office of finance and management (formerly central staff) in June 1975. In this capacity he coordinated, counseled and reviewed the operations of management analysis, budget analysis, special projects activities and served as the comptroller. After 12 years as head, office of finance and management, he returned to the weapons planning group, contributing a broad range of studies impacting base realignment, consolidation and reorganization efforts. Throughout his 33 year career at China Lake he received numerous prestigious awards, such as the Navy Superior Civilian Service, Navy Meritorious Civilain Service Award, Michelson Laboratory, Comander's Award, Equal Opportunity Award and many outstanding performance awards. To many of his friends and colleagues he will be remembered for his excellent writing skills, extraordinary analytical ability, sense of humor, helping and mentoring others. He was a quiet man who spoke few words - a man who spoke by his actions. Former China Lake Commander Captain W.B. Haff wrote: "You were always a sincere and dedicated individual, who made me feel secure and quite comfortable just knowing that you were only a few steps away from my office. China Lake had a wealth of outstanding people who made my job much easier and you were one of the very best. I'll always owe you a debt of gratitude." Upon Dr. K's retirement in 1996 Capt. Haff wrote, "I could not let the occasion pass without complimenting you for the many years of dedicated service which you have given to the center and our country. Retirements are occuring all the time, but only a few ever reached out to me as being something special - yours is one of them. First, last and always you were a gentleman of quiet dignity who stood out in my book as a quality individual. You were above and beyond your peers and most of them knew it to their chagrin. The center was fortunate to have your services and as a former commander, I sincerely appreciated having you on the team." Former Commander Rear Admiral D.B. McKinney, USN Ret. wrote, "You have consistently been a master with words, expressing ideas with eloquence and objectivity and your output has always been supported by factual content and balanced vision. Your work ethic in support of Naval aviation has been truly inspirational and is greatly appreciated. Your clear thinking, extraordinary ability in organizing and communicating difficult subject matter and consistent willingness to help on the toughest assignments have been a postive model for many people. You have definitely made a difference to China Lake and many of its employees." His wife of 46 years Marianne Kistler, who came with him to China Lake in 1962 had this to say: "As for me, I always wondered how I was so lucky to find such a kind and gentle man as Dick was." The couple had no children. From the time he was a little kid he was a fan of baseball, especially the Detroit Tigers. He knew the names of all the players who played for the team over quite a span of years and all the box scores for each member. He could quote those scores if asked and enjoyed keeping track of them. He learned a lot of math figuring out the batting averages of all the players. His uncle Roy was a baseball player. Dr. K enjoyed gardening, tinkering with his old cars - a 1949 Crosley and a 1952 Hudson Wasp sedan - birdwatching, traveling and his dogs. He is survived by his wife Marianne of Ridgecrest, sister Joan Skadsen and husband Ralph, niece Janice Skadsen and husband Jim and their two daughters Julia and Rachel, all of Ann Arbor, Mich., brother-in-law Paul and wife Joannie McKeown. Media informatio provided by the family