RICHARD G. TANGER, LTJG, USN
Richard Tanger '62
Lucky Bag
From the 1962 Lucky Bag:
Richard George Tanger
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dick, "the mid that made Milwaukee famous", was outstanding in everything he attempted. He tried almost every sport offered and did well in all of them, but his one regret was that there were not enough sport seasons for his abilities. A versatile sailor, he led the plebe small-boat sailing team to an undefeated season. His favorite game was football, which he devoured with an enthusiasm that never failed to amaze those around him. Academics were easy for "the Stinger", and his favorite hobby was just plain relaxing. Many study hours were spent "thinking" in the blue trampoline. Dick will be a fine officer and a fine pilot.
Richard George Tanger
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dick, "the mid that made Milwaukee famous", was outstanding in everything he attempted. He tried almost every sport offered and did well in all of them, but his one regret was that there were not enough sport seasons for his abilities. A versatile sailor, he led the plebe small-boat sailing team to an undefeated season. His favorite game was football, which he devoured with an enthusiasm that never failed to amaze those around him. Academics were easy for "the Stinger", and his favorite hobby was just plain relaxing. Many study hours were spent "thinking" in the blue trampoline. Dick will be a fine officer and a fine pilot.
Loss
From The Morning News (Wilmington, Delaware):
The Navy said yesterday Lt. (JG) Richard G. Tanger of Milwaukee was killed Friday [June 26, 1964] when his F8 Crusader Jet crashed in the sea near the Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Richard had just completed a practice bombing run on a destroyer when he crashed.
Two months earlier, he was an usher at Lt. Francis Paul Cleary’s (’62) wedding. Other ushers were also ’62 classmates: Lt. James Lucas, Norman Greene, Philip "Dave" Brodeur and William Vogel.
As a sophomore at Don Bosco High School in Milwaukee, he had an average of 90.4.
He was survived by his parents and a brother, Thomas. (Information from November 1964 issue of Shipmate.)
Richard has a memory marker in Wisconsin.
Related Articles
Philip Brodeur '62 was also in 19th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
