Richard H. Van Tassel

Van Tassel, Richard H., 80, passed away February 2, 2007. Richard was born in New York, New York, on April 13, 1926. He attended Plattsburg High School in Plattsburg, New York, and entered the United States Army upon graduation in 1944. He served in the WWII Asiatic-Pacific Theater, participating in the Battle of Luzon and the Philippines Liberation as a Technical Sergeant in the 89th Field Artillery Regiment assigned to the 25th Infantry Division known as “Tropic Lightning”. Richard received his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Colorado in 1950 and graduated from The Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1964. He was highly respected in the banking community, both as a bank officer for 8 years and a Supervisory Bank Examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for 29 years. He was honored by a Special Achievement Award from the FDIC for his special service and integrity in helping manage one of the largest bank closings in FDIC history - Continental Illinois Bank of Chicago. Subsequent to FDIC retirement, Richard served as a Special Deputy Bank Commissioner for the Kansas State Banking Department. He also performed extensive investigative work for the Resolution Trust Corporation. In 1960, Richard was constituted a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Midian Temple of Wichita, Kansas. Survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Ruth C. (Gilmore) Van Tassel; son, Richard H. Van Tassel, Jr.; son, Kurt Van Tassel (wife Deborah); and daughter, Sue Patterson (husband Bruce). The family held private services. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice would be appreciated. Downing Lahey Mortuary East. The family held private services.