U.S. Air force Veteran Passes

By Sara Romaine, Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD, MO— Retired Lt. Col. Ronald H. Lache died at his home Monday after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 68.

“He was a trooper till the end,” his daughter Babara Peck spoke about her father’s illness. “He wanted to be home,” she explained.  “Dad said he felt like his time was up, but he lead a full life,” daughter Cynthia Lache said.

Lache is survived by his mother, Thelma Lache; and his son, Ronald Lache, both residents of Springfield; three daughters—Babara Ann Peck of Dayton, Ohio; Patrice Louis Wylie of Indianapolis, Ind.; Cynthia Lache of San Mateo, Ca.; and one granddaughter, Jennifer C. Peck, of Springfield.

Lt. Col. Lache was born on Nov. 3, 1943 in Philadelphia to Thelma Curry Lache and the late Harry Curry. He was married in May of 1964 to his high school sweetheart, the late Delores Carney.

U.S. Air force

Lache enrolled in the U.S. Air Force at the young age of 23 and served his country for 20 years before his retirement. The most notable part of his service was his time spent in Vietnam during World War II. “He lived a full 68 years,” fellow U.S. Air Force veteran Charles Lampola reflected, “and he knew it, when he was diagnosed, he turned looked at me and goes, just another battle!”

Lache was a long-time member of the local Newman Center and Rock Bridge Lions Club.  “He was always such a giving man,” long-time friend Matthew Joyce said.  He showed up to help out with a smile on his face, every single week,” Newman Center Director, Elizabeth Rice said.

“Dad loved helping others, and baseball,” his son chuckled. “After he retired, if he wasn’t at the Neman Center or the Lions Club, he was watching the Cardinals,” Ronald said. “He was an active member of his community, and an active member of life,” daughter Cynthia explained.

Jefferson National Cemetery

A viewing is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Parker Funeral Service, 606 Washington Ave, Springfield. Friends and family are invited to a reception after at Hemingway’s Restaurant 1935 S Campbell Ave, Springfield.

The veteran will be honored in a graveside service 2 p.m. Friday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road.






Information on Jefferson Barrack National Cemetery