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Richard Appleton McConnel, Jr
Richard Appleton McConnel, Jr
Peacefully and surrounded by the love of his family, Richard Appleton McConnel, Jr. 92, passed away on May 31, 2025, in Round Rock Texas. Born May 29, 1933, in Rochester, Pennsylvania to Richard A. McConnel, Sr. and Dorothy Merriman McConnel. Both parents and his brother, Robert M. (Carol) McConnel preceded him in death.
Richard grew up in Baden, Pennsylvania and after graduation from Rochester High School in 1951 he attended Washington and Jefferson College for 2 years before being appointed to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis MD. Upon graduation from the Academy in 1957, he attended Flight Training at Pensacola, Florida and went on to have a 25-year career as a Navy Pilot. During his career he attended the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, California, earning his master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Commander Richard McConnel retired from the US Navy in 1982 and resided in Southern California. After his military retirement, he went to work for several Research and Development contractors with the Navy starting at Raytheon in Goleta, California, and then with Port. Mugu Naval Base, Port Hueneme Seabee Base and others in the Southern California area as Project Manager. Richard retired from his second career in 2012. Not one to rest on his laurels, he pursued several part-time jobs and concluded with “Uber-ing” around Los Angeles and surrounding areas for several years before finally RETIRING in 2017 when he and his wife moved to Georgetown, Texas.
Richard is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lou-Ellyn Penny McConnel, his daughters from his first marriage, Amy Ellen McConnel and Sarah Catherine (Shaun) Anderson as well as stepsons: Jon (Patty) Kendzie, Brian (Robin) Kendzie, and Joshua (Malia) Kendzie. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Twins, Scarlett and Savanah Anderson and his step-grandchildren: Austin Kendzie, Jakob Kendzie, Sage Kendzie and Avary Kendzie.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date and Richard will be interred at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.