Colonel Richard William Groux (Ret.), United States Air Force, a distinguished aviator, devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, in Rome, Georgia, at the age of 97.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Saint Aloysius Church, 304 N. Maryville St., Calmar, IA, with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial to follow at the church cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Rosary will start before the visitation at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, 21824 Cactus Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, CA 92518.

Born on May 24, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, Richard was raised as a boy in Austin, Texas, fostering a lifetime love for all things in the Lone Star State. He attended Saint Edward’s Military Academy in Austin, Texas, and Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida, graduating from high school in 1945. He earned a B.A. degree in English Literature from Fordham University inNew York, New York, in 1949, where he participated in Army Air Corps ROTC, leading to his commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. He later completed a Master’s degree in International Relations from George Washington University in the District of Columbia in 1980.

His military career began with undergraduate pilot training at Randolph Field (now Randolph Air Force Base) in San Antonio, Texas—known as the “West Point of the Air”—flying the North American T-6 Texan. He advanced through bomber transition training in Enid, Oklahoma, on the North American B-25 Mitchell, followed by lead-in training at Lake Charles, Louisiana, to qualify on the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.

Fully qualified, Colonel Groux flew twenty-five combat missions as lead aircraft commander during the Korean War while stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan—demonstrating exceptional skill, courage, and leadership under fire. After the war, he continued his service as a U.S. Air Force Reservist, rising to the rank of Colonel. During this period, he commanded Bolling Air Force Base in the District of Columbia and servedas the chief advisor to the Air Staff at the Pentagon for Air Force Reserve operations.

After leaving active duty, Colonel Groux wove his talents as an aviation advocate, writer, editor, and publisher into a dynamic civilian career. Following a brief stint on Wall Street with Nuveen, he accepted a leadership position with the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) in Washington, D.C. While working in Northern Virginia, he also volunteered to serve on an FAA committee for the redesign and modernization of the national airspace structure. He later became a writer and editor for Skyways and Air Transport World magazines, which served as a springboard to founding his own company, Air Marketing International, where he created and published the monthly magazine Commuter Air. After a short retirement and relocation from Virginia to Texas, he accepted a position as Vice President of Trimble, Inc., where he led development and marketing of early aviation avionics in GPS navigation and air traffic collision avoidance technologies.

Colonel Groux enjoyed a lifetime love for all things in the Lone Star State of Texas, returning later in life to Austin, a small ranch in Theon, and Sun City, Georgetown. His hobbies and avocations reflected his zest for life andcreativity. He enjoyed writing, acting (starring in numerous community theater productions in Georgetown, Texas, and appearing as an extra in the 1999 film Varsity Blues), and visiting Texas honky-tonks while attending big band and bluegrass performances. A lifelong singer, he began as a choir boy in his youth and later sang in his college choir at Fordham. He had a passion for vintage cars, particularly early Mustangs and Thunderbirds, and delighted in owning and piloting a variety of private aircraft, including Mooney, Beechcraft, and Cessna models.

Colonel Groux was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 40 years, Rosemary (née Houdek) Groux. Their enduring marriage was a source of strength and joy throughout his life.

He is survived by his sons, Richard (Leigh Ann) Groux, Jeff (Kim) Groux, and Douglas (Sarah) Groux; his grandchildren, Lauren Nelson, Danielle Watts, Rosemary Groux, Jacquelyn Guhl, Allison Groux, Margaret Groux, Kristina Groux, James Groux and Gavin Groux; his adored great- grandchildren, Elliott (age 12), Mae (age 9), Melia (age 8), Heidi (age 5), Whit (age 2), and Nadia (age 2); his loving brother Thomas Groux and brother-in-law G. Donald Haarer; and many cherished friends.

He was also preceded by his son James, his parents, Charles and Pearl Groux; and his siblings, Robert Groux, Sarellen Moore, and Beth Anne Haarer.