Obituary of Richard Joseph Kleinschuster

Richard Joseph Kleinschuster, Sr., passed away at the Visiting Nurse Service Hospice House in East Northport, New York on October 9, 2012 after a long battle with chronic pain. He was surrounded by his loving family and was 89 years old. Richard was born on January 2, 1923 in Stiles, Pennsylvania, the third child of Margaret and Frank Kleinschuster. The family moved to New York City while the children were young. Richard showed an interest in aviation at a young age and pursued it as a career. He worked at the airfield at Roosevelt Field for the Aerotrades Company and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a flight engineer and mechanic and was involved in several theaters, including a stay in Casablanca, Morocco and the Philippines. After the war, he worked for the NYC Board of Education where he trained the "Rosie the Riveters". He joined commercial aviation at Colonial Airlines and continued with the company after their merger with Eastern Airlines. He worked at Eastern until his retirement in 1988. While at Eastern, Richard was the lead mechanic of the sheet metal shop at Kennedy Airport, Hanger #9 and was well known throughout the industry for his unique expertise in repairing aircraft structural damage in a timely manner. After retirement, he continued his interest in aviation by visiting the old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY and the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Schenectady, NY. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, the NY Mets and the music of jazz guitarist, Johnny Smith .He loved spending time at the beach, clamming and fishing the moving tide. He also was a crossword puzzle wizard! Richard is survived by his son, Rick and his wife, Shelley Johnson of East Northport, NY; his daughter, Catherine Hackert and her husband, Carl of Ballston Spa, NY and their child, his beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth. He leaves behind his ex-wife and best friend Dorothy Kleinschuster of Bradenton, Florida; nieces Margaret (Kleinschuster) Ewing, Lori Kleinschuster of Clearwater, Florida and nephew Joseph Pavia of New Port Richey, Florida and close friend and fellow aviator, Mike Scott of Smithtown, NY. He was pre-deceased by his sister Ann and brother John in 2005. A Calling Hour will be on Friday, November 2, from10-11am at the Riverview Funeral Home, 218 2nd Ave, Troy, NY, followed by a memorial service at the funeral home at 11 o'clock. Interment in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery wll follow at 12:30 PM. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Richard's name to the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice House of Suffolk, 505 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768. Memorial Service 11:00 am Friday, November 2, 2012 The Riverview Funeral Home 218 2nd Avenue (Corner 104th Street) Troy, New York, United States