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In Loving Memory

Tompkins, Major Richard James, US Army Retired

October 12, 1941-May 16, 2022

An honorable man, a decorated Veteran and gentleman;

Rick was the son of the late Lineta and David James Tompkins and brother of the late Ronald William Tompkins. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gay Malouf Tompkins; three beloved daughters and their families: Nicole Young; Jeane (Marty) Stohldrier and Kristen (Gray) Doty.  His great joy was being Papa to Alex, Matthew, and Gigi Stohldrier; Stella, Teddy, and Gates Doty; and Libby Young.

Rick was an alumnus of Webster Groves High School (Class of ’59) and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis.  Rick had careers as a practicing attorney and a U.S. Army helicopter pilot.  He began practicing law in 1974 in St. Louis and retired from family practice in Webster Groves in 2006.

During the Vietnam era, he enlisted in the US Army, received his wings as a helicopter pilot and was assigned to the Casper platoon in support of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. In 1990, Rick’s unit was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Storm.  Major Tompkins retired from military service in 2001 as a master aviator with over 4,000 hours of flight time.  He was a decorated veteran and awarded many honors including two Bronze Star Medals and the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism (V Device). Rick had an abiding love and loyalty to his band of brothers who served together.

As a third generation Webster Groves resident, he continued the family legacy of service to community.  He was as an Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Board of Education for Annunciation Catholic Church.  He volunteered eleven years as a member and then chair of the Webster Groves City Planning Commission.  He served in the military for a span of four decades.

He treasured the way in which he was loved by the Alex and Stella Malouf family in Greenwood, Mississippi and so readily accepted as son, brother and uncle.

Rick and Gay raised their three girls in Webster and as Rick penned in a letter to his girls “…if your heart swells in your chest with so much love that you feel overwhelmed, then you will begin to know how much I love you.”

He was surrounded in love by his children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Memorial Day, May 30, 2022 at Annunciation Church in Webster Groves from 10:00 until the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m.  The family will hold a private interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Webster Groves School District Foundation (Howard A. Latta Scholarship Fund)

Condolences

52 thoughts on “Tompkins, Major Richard James, US Army Retired”

  1. Rick Tompkins was undoubtedly one of the finest men I have ever known. I knew him both as a fellow service member and my family lawyer. He was outstanding in both roles. A true gentleman.

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  2. Rick Tompkins was undoubtedly one of the finest men I have ever known. I knew him both as a fellow service member and my family lawyer. He was outstanding in both roles. A true gentleman.

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  3. Mr Tompkins was an admirable man with incredible achievements. I feel very fortunate to have met him, through his daughter Nicole. Praying for the family, during their time of loss.

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  4. Mr Tompkins was an admirable man with incredible achievements. I feel very fortunate to have met him, through his daughter Nicole. Praying for the family, during their time of loss.

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  5. Rick was a great friend and outstanding pilot. He will be greatly missed by me and his fellow comrades in Army Aviation. A wonderful man.

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  6. Rick was a great friend and outstanding pilot. He will be greatly missed by me and his fellow comrades in Army Aviation. A wonderful man.

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  7. Our sincere condolences to Gay, the girls and their families. Rick was a great family man and a true gentleman. He had a keen sense of humor. Once I asked him what of lawyer he was and he quickly replied “a good one.”

    Unfortunately we will be out of town for his visitation and funeral. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

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  8. Our sincere condolences to Gay, the girls and their families. Rick was a great family man and a true gentleman. He had a keen sense of humor. Once I asked him what of lawyer he was and he quickly replied “a good one.”

    Unfortunately we will be out of town for his visitation and funeral. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

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  9. It was always so obvious how much Rick loved his wife and girls. His love and pride just filled the room. He was a very special man, a true gentleman. His legacy lives on in his daughters and grandchildren. Praying for God’s love and blessings for the Tompkins family.

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  10. It was always so obvious how much Rick loved his wife and girls. His love and pride just filled the room. He was a very special man, a true gentleman. His legacy lives on in his daughters and grandchildren. Praying for God’s love and blessings for the Tompkins family.

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  11. Gay and family,, I am sorry to hear of the loss of Rick. Please know that all of you are in my prayers. I hope that you find comfort in knowing he is in heaven abd is now an angel to watch over all of you.

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  12. Gay and family,, I am sorry to hear of the loss of Rick. Please know that all of you are in my prayers. I hope that you find comfort in knowing he is in heaven abd is now an angel to watch over all of you.

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  13. My deepest sympathy to Gay and family.
    May you find peace and love in knowing the love Rick had for you and the blessed life you shared.

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  14. My deepest sympathy to Gay and family.
    May you find peace and love in knowing the love Rick had for you and the blessed life you shared.

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  15. In the almost 50 years that I have known Rick he was always the wise advisor. During his Army Reserve time he was the utmost professional and a damn good pilot. Of course, he was a great friend. I am presently overseas and unfortunately will not be able to attend the memorial but am thankful for the time I was able to spend with Rick and Gay in November.

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  16. In the almost 50 years that I have known Rick he was always the wise advisor. During his Army Reserve time he was the utmost professional and a damn good pilot. Of course, he was a great friend. I am presently overseas and unfortunately will not be able to attend the memorial but am thankful for the time I was able to spend with Rick and Gay in November.

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  17. i have never known a more brave, courteous, or kind man. Rick was a man of impeccable character and unassuming intelligence. He was quick with a kind word and respectful towards all. He was loyal to his friends, family and to his brothers in uniform serving our country. He will be missed by so many because he was loved and admired by all who knew him.

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  18. i have never known a more brave, courteous, or kind man. Rick was a man of impeccable character and unassuming intelligence. He was quick with a kind word and respectful towards all. He was loyal to his friends, family and to his brothers in uniform serving our country. He will be missed by so many because he was loved and admired by all who knew him.

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  19. How lucky Joe and I were to have great memories of college days together. Rick was so in love with Gay. He and Joe shared Vietnam and went when others didn’t. He had a great sense of responsibility to family and country. What a wonderful family too. Thank you God for the honor of knowing him.

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  20. How lucky Joe and I were to have great memories of college days together. Rick was so in love with Gay. He and Joe shared Vietnam and went when others didn’t. He had a great sense of responsibility to family and country. What a wonderful family too. Thank you God for the honor of knowing him.

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  21. I’m so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. I remember him as a kind and caring gentleman, devoted to Gay, his daughters and his grandchildren. I’m keeping the entire family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  22. I’m so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. I remember him as a kind and caring gentleman, devoted to Gay, his daughters and his grandchildren. I’m keeping the entire family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  23. I am truly saddened by the loss of such a great man and friend. May God bless his family and grant them peace.

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  24. I am truly saddened by the loss of such a great man and friend. May God bless his family and grant them peace.

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  25. My sincere sympathy for Gay and family. May your memories of Rick be a source of comfort at this time. Peace and Prayers.

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  26. My sincere sympathy for Gay and family. May your memories of Rick be a source of comfort at this time. Peace and Prayers.

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  27. With Our deepest sympathy to Gay and family on the Loss of Rick. May the good Lord show you his mercy and give you peace.
    For our Hope of Heaven is not that Christ lived and died, but that He Died and lives.
    Rick will always be remembered in the best way as a good neighbor and friend!

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  28. With Our deepest sympathy to Gay and family on the Loss of Rick. May the good Lord show you his mercy and give you peace.
    For our Hope of Heaven is not that Christ lived and died, but that He Died and lives.
    Rick will always be remembered in the best way as a good neighbor and friend!

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  29. I have known Rick for decades. Over those years I have encountered few if any who exhibited such a remarkable blend of qualities — character, devotion, intellectual curiosity, humility, faithfulness, honor, service, refined taste, and more. He chose his companions carefully and well. Our lives have been generously enriched by his. Thanks be to God for the gift of his good and noble life.

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  30. I have known Rick for decades. Over those years I have encountered few if any who exhibited such a remarkable blend of qualities — character, devotion, intellectual curiosity, humility, faithfulness, honor, service, refined taste, and more. He chose his companions carefully and well. Our lives have been generously enriched by his. Thanks be to God for the gift of his good and noble life.

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  31. I had the honor of serving with Richard, he was always a gentleman and who I admired.

    He will be missed by all who knew him.

    My respectful condolences.

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  32. I had the honor of serving with Richard, he was always a gentleman and who I admired.

    He will be missed by all who knew him.

    My respectful condolences.

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  33. Words fail to express my deep sorrow for your loss. I knew Rick as an outstanding Pilot and excellent Lawyer. His guidance and professionalism served me well through rough times. We have lost a great man.

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  34. Words fail to express my deep sorrow for your loss. I knew Rick as an outstanding Pilot and excellent Lawyer. His guidance and professionalism served me well through rough times. We have lost a great man.

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  35. Rick was simply a wonderful man out of uniform and universally beloved by those who had the privilege to stand beside him in uniform. I will forever reflect back and cherish the fond memories we had together.

    Condolences and God Speed to Gay and family and Rick’s enormous network of friends and patriots.

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  36. Rick was simply a wonderful man out of uniform and universally beloved by those who had the privilege to stand beside him in uniform. I will forever reflect back and cherish the fond memories we had together.

    Condolences and God Speed to Gay and family and Rick’s enormous network of friends and patriots.

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  37. Rick will be missed by everyone who knew him. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Rick. My thoughts and prayers are with Gay and his girls.

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  38. Rick will be missed by everyone who knew him. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Rick. My thoughts and prayers are with Gay and his girls.

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  39. When I think of Rick, I remember the old Boy Scout code. He was Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. He will truly be missed by all who knew him and who served with him. Rest in Peace, old friend.

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  40. When I think of Rick, I remember the old Boy Scout code. He was Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. He will truly be missed by all who knew him and who served with him. Rest in Peace, old friend.

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  41. Rick was a great and well respected friend. I enjoyed flying with Rick in the Reserves. I run an annual Memorial Day Service each year here in the St. Louis area. Today, it was a great honor for me to a tribute to Rick during our the service. My thoughts and prayers are with Gay and his daughters.

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  42. Rick was a great and well respected friend. I enjoyed flying with Rick in the Reserves. I run an annual Memorial Day Service each year here in the St. Louis area. Today, it was a great honor for me to a tribute to Rick during our the service. My thoughts and prayers are with Gay and his daughters.

    Reply

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