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1926
2016
Dr. Charles
Richard Mitchell
Charles Richard (Dick) Mitchell passed away on Friday, October 14. He was born on July 24, 1926 to Charles Louis Mitchell and Nora Helen Mitchell in Richmond, California.
Dr. Mitchell began his distinguished military career as a private in the U.S. Army in 1944. He was a combat infantry paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division during WWII.
After the war, he returned to the states and attended college receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California, Berkeley and both a Bachelor and Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He then completed a 7-year post graduate program with a triple Doctorate in theology, sociology and psychology.
He became an ordained Presbyterian Minister in 1955 and was Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ontario until 2011.
He returned to military service as a chaplain for the U.S. Air Force. He continued 30 years in the U.S. Air Force reserves and retired a colonel in 1986.
Throughout his years of service, he received more than 30 military awards and decorations including the Philippine Liberation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Unit Badge, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.
Dr. Mitchell was in private practice as a marriage and family counselor for 44 years until he retired in 2016. From 1978 to 1993 he was the Executive Director of West End Family Counseling in Ontario.
Dr. Mitchell is survived by his wife, Claudette, four daughters, Ann Martin, Jane Mitchell, Tracie Cornelison and Michelle Menes, 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 29, at 1:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 720 N Sultana Ave., Ontario.
Interment will be part of a military ceremony on Wednesday, November 2, at 2:15 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
February 13, 2018
Military
Phyllis Lundberg
I didn't know he passed until my annual was returned. I miss him already. He was someone who made a difference in my life from the moment I met him. It was 1988 and he was our OCS Chaplain. We stayed in touch until my last conversation with him last year. He married me and my husband at Camp SLO chapel and then married my daughter and her husband too. He was already retired by the time our 2nd daughter's wedding. We shared a common love of people and helping them. He was so thoughtful, he organized an award ceremony for service people and I was lucky enough to be a recipient. He went through much effort to make people feel loved and needed. I will miss our conversations, but I know he is God's child and is in a great place!! I'll join him one day too!!
January 26, 2017
Dr. Mitchell was one of the greatest and wonderful men I have ever known. He was my therapist ever since the Grand Prix/Padua wildfire vaporized my home and career in 2003. He helped my former wife Mary and I deal with our losses after our home and my career was vaporized, and he continued to be my personal therapist ever since, helping me to deal with the loss of my three canine children, and then the loss of my wife. I again turned to him when I was diagnosed with cancer 2.5 years ago and he just smiled and assured me I would be victorious over cancer as well.
Dr. Mitchell was like a father to me and was one of my dearest friends. I owe him far more than I could ever put into words. He touched me in so many, many ways and I will miss him terribly. We always made a point to get together every few months. Dr. Mitchell was 6'6 tall and would bend down to hug me every time we met.
They say we reap what we sow. If that's true, Dr. Mitchell must be receiving one of the greatest harvests a soul can receive in the life to come. Bravo, my dear friend and teacher, for the incredible life you lived! I will never forget the many times you lifted me out of the ashes and led me into the Light!
January 26, 2017
November 4, 2016
Charles Cable
Dick was a much-appreciated member of the University Club of Claremont. He will be missed.
His sharing of his service during WWII was very interesting.
Charles Cable
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