Richard T. Belew

Richard T. Belew, 93, of Oak Harbor, died Sept. 8, 2007, in Coupeville.

He was born in Selma, Calif., on Aug. 30, 1914, to Frank and Lillian (Winning) Belew, where he grew up and graduated from high school. Richard wanted to be a pilot, so he took private lessons, worked hard and saved his money for flight time. During this time he met Evelyn Ratliff, and on June 24, 1940, they were married in Fresno.

As primary group commander he was a civil flight instructor for the U.S. Army Air Corps. On Feb. 26, 1945, Richard went to work for Western Airlines (which later became Delta), where he flew commercial airplanes for the next 30 years, primarily out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. He retired on Aug. 30, 1974.

It was in 1977, while vacationing with friends, they first came to Whidbey Island, and decided to call Oak Harbor home. Richard was a member of Whidbey Golf and Country Club and continued to enjoy flying and boating.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of 67 years; his son Thomas Richard Belew (and his wife Wendy) of Coupeville; daughter Patricia Ann Shenefield (and her husband Frank) of Aloha, Ore.; five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.