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Richard Edward Trombley "Rick" of Chisago Lakes, died peacefully at his home August 5, 2008.

Rick was born December 20, 1924 in Somerset Wisconsin, the eighth child of Selem Joseph and Angela (Marcotte) Trombley. He attended St. Croix Falls High School in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

Rick joined the Army Air Corp April 6, 1942. He was a rotary aircraft mechanic mostly working on DC3s aka Gooney Birds. During the war, Rick was in the China, Burma India theatre where he served with the 15th Combat Cargo Squadron and the 4th Cargo Group. After the war, Rick was stationed in Alaska. He was an inaugural member of the United States Air Force and participated in the Berlin Air Lift.

Upon leaving military service June 9, 1952, Rick pursued several career paths including testing milk at the Stillwater State Prison and farming. In October of 1961 he became part-owner of Allied Plating and Bumper Exchange in St. Paul. He worked there until his retirement in October of 1986.

April 18, 1964 Rick married Marlys (nee Johnson) at St. Bridget's of Sweden Catholic Church in Lindstrom, Minnesota. Their children are Tim, Gretchen, and Tom. In addition, Rick and Marlys fostered over 20 youth including Susan Valleen.

Besides his work as a foster parent, Rick was an active community member. He was a founding member of St. Bridget's of Sweden Catholic Church in Lindstrom, and actually helped build the original church structure. In addition he served as usher at church and also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was extremely proud to be a life member of VFW post 4210 in Forest Lake. As part of the VFW he volunteered with the Military Order of the Cooties including a term as the Seam Squirrel for the Cooties.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents Selem and Angela; his siblings Madelynne Hoover, Lloyd Trombley, Febien Trombley, Alma Marie Trombley, Rosabell Sechrist, Violet Chouinard, and Russell Trombley, and his grandson Evan Mundt.

Rick is survived by his wife Marlys, children Tim, Gretchen (Wayne) Jeska, Tom (Susie), and Susan (Robert) Mundt, and grandchildren: Justin, Brennan, Ethan, and Leah Mundt, Jake and Luke Jeska, and Margaret, Edward, and Charles Trombley. Surviving siblings are Herbert Trombley, Celeste Jensen, Victor Trombley, Maxine Hultman, and Ullric Trombley. Rick is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Finally, Rick was fortunate to have special friends Becky, Jeff, Calvin, and Chyanne Gordon and Kim Springer.

A mass of Christian burial was August 11, 2008 at St. Bridget's of Sweden Catholic Church in Lindstrom, Minnesota. A private internment at South Green Lake Cemetery will be held at a later date.

W/FLAG

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