Richard Francis Cullen (Dick, Dickie, Dad, Daddy, Pop), 89, of Statesville, N.C., unexpectedly passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023, after a brief bout of gallstones and complications brought on by severe sleep apnea.

Mr. Cullen is survived by his very sweet and lovely, loving wife of almost 64 years, Margaret (Mom, Mama, Marge, Granny (Tinney), also of Statesville; as well as his sons, Richard and Joseph (Chris), both of Panama City, Fla.; his daughters, Helen (Mark) of Cary, N.C., and Carmel (Steve) of Statesville, N.C.; his brothers, Jackie, Robert, and Joseph of Philadelphia; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dick was predeceased by his son, Robert Cullen; and his sisters, Mary Beth Cullen and Peggy Cullen.

Dickie grew up in Philadelphia and attended St. Rose of Lima Elementary School and St. Thomas More High School, Class of 1952, where he was an exceptional student who studied hard, got good grades, asked for extra homework, and certainly never goofed off or missed a day of school. He was a hard worker, from his first paper route to employment at a local chocolate factory, where he hauled chocolate by the tons for melting. Seeking adventure, he joined the U.S. Air Force at age 19.

Dickie was a Korean War-era veteran, who served north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska (before it was a state). Dick worked as a communications technician and manned a communication tower.

Following discharge from the Air Force, Dickie attended Philadelphia Wireless Technical Institute and for a number of years he continued to serve his country as a civilian contractor. These are the years that produced most of the trail stories that Pop was notorious for telling. Although we often complained about these stories, I suspect those are what we will miss the most. The man could tell good stories, and he could remember details like no other person I’ve ever met.

Dick must have been paid well in this job because he had a car. He also had a friend who wanted to borrow the car to take a girl on a date. Negotiations led to the friend setting him up on a blind date with that girl’s roommate. The blind date turned out to be Marge, and the first time he saw her, he thought to himself, “That is the girl I am going to marry.” And sure enough, he did. Courting Mom while going on classified travel was a little hard to explain. At one point, he told her he was going away, but he couldn’t say where, or when, or how long. Her response was that if he wanted to break up with her, he didn’t have to come up with such an elaborate story. They were engaged shortly thereafter.

After they married, Dick continued his travel and a year later these adventures took them overseas, where they spent the next three years living on Air Force bases in England, France, and Germany, Marge toting one baby after another. They returned to the States in time for them to welcome baby No. 4 (Joe) and two years later, they finalized the “gang” with baby No. 5 (Carmel), the best child saved for last).

Back in the States, Dick went to work at Drexel University for a time before getting a job at Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Warminster, Pa., where he worked until he transferred to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Beach, Fla., in 1984, where he worked until retirement.

Dick curbed his enthusiasm for indoor sports and became serious about playing softball. He pitched for several years in the fast pitch NADC Softball League where he served as commissioner. Dick was also involved in the NADC Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Committee, and set up selling Tanner’s Ice Cream cones in one of the hangars on base once a week in the summer. I remember that well as I dipped the ice cream for him. Pop also played in in a fast pitch league in Southampton, Pa., where I remember going to watch him. For a dad who wanted me to be a Nun, he sure gave me a lot of opportunities to be around intelligent, athletic, young men.

When he moved to Florida in March of 1984, softball didn’t have the allure for Dick that it did in Pennsylvania. Perhaps it was because it was so hot and he wasn’t used to spending so much time in the heat. Or maybe it was because it was slow pitch, and he was really known for being very good at fast pitching. Regardless, Dick replaced it by taking up golf. He then spent many years chasing small white balls all over Bay County with anyone who was willing to play and brave him driving them to the golf course; both driving and golfing with Dick were experiences one would never forget.

After Dick retired, he realized that there had to be more to life than golf. By then, cable TV, home computers, and the internet, and eventually DVRs had come along, allowing Dick to become Notre Dame Football’s No. 1 fan, followed closely by his brother, No. 2 Jackie Cullen.

In late September of 2019, Marge and Dick moved in with Carmel and Steve in Statesville, N.C., to live out the last few years of their lives. Although neither Dick nor Marge were eager to leave Florida, they both managed very well in Statesville until a few months ago, when they both started having health issues. Mom’s health improved significantly; Pop’s did not. Mom graduated out of Hospice a few weeks ago, and we continued to keep an eye on Pop, but there were no signs of any significant issues prior to Sunday. Following his diagnosis on Sunday night, on Monday he chose to go to the Gordon Hospice House. Thankfully, we had the Gordon Hospice House to rely on Monday to take care of him when he needed it the most.

It is sometimes hard to realize that this vital and loving father, grandfather and proud veteran has left us. We know that sooner or later this happens to us all; nevertheless, his entire family is grateful to have had the opportunity to grow up in his loving care, spending precious time with a man who has profoundly affected each of our lives and for the better.

There will be a Funeral/Memorial Mass for Richard Cullen at 10 a.m. on 30 June, at St. John the Evangelist, 1008 Fortune Ave., Panama City, FL 32401.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.