Richard Eugene Hafele died peacefully surrounded by family on July 13, 2023 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. He was 81 years old. Born on April 17, 1942 in Walton to Henry and Bernice (Radeker) Hafele, Richard was the third of five children, with his older sister Betty, older brother Bob, and younger brothers Gail and Chuck.
He graduated from Walton Central High School in 1960 and soon after joined the U.S. Army stationed in Fort Campbell, Ky., and became a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division (“Screaming Eagles”). Completing two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, Richard was a helicopter machine gunner - his unit was known as “The Nomads of Vietnam” because of its frequent moves as a fast-striking force to various trouble points. He was awarded the Bronze Star “for meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force” in recognition of his actions, along with the Vietnamese service medal and the Vietnamese campaign ribbon.
Richard began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1968 as a letter carrier in Sidney. Throughout his 29 year career, he held numerous supervisor positions in Sidney, Franklin, Delhi and Oneonta. He was particularly proud of the “zip plus four” management team he led in 1981. In 1984, he was named the Postmaster of the Walton Post Office where he remained until his retirement in 1998.
He married Mary Rutherford on Oct. 10, 1964 and they spent 59 years of love and laughter together, even when she was beating him in cards. They did everything together from watching the NY Yankees, playing golf and fishing to picking berries and canning tomatoes. He also was an avid bowler and played slow-pitch softball. They raised four children, and nothing gave Richard more joy than watching his family grow to 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was the ultimate husband, Dad, Pop and PaPa. He loved his hometown community and his lifelong friends from Walton. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Walton where he served as deacon, Truman C. Tobey Post 32 American Legion, Walton Veterans Club, Frank Mead Eells Post Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Club Royale of Walton.
In 2009, Richard underwent a heart transplant at Columbia Presbyterian hospital in NYC, which provided an additional 14 years of life that he never took for granted. He spent those additional years enjoying time in New York and Florida with his family and never missed an opportunity to tell them how proud he was of them and how much they were loved.
Richard was predeceased by his parents and four siblings.
He is survived by his wife Mary, children Anna Peaster (John) of Walton, Mary Kott (Lenny) of Sanford, Fla., Shawn Hafele (Kelly) of Southington Ct. and Sara Desautels of Trumbull Ct.; grandchildren Amara Travers (Matthew), Alec Peaster (Chrissy), Shayna Terpstra (Derek), Lyle Peaster, Keziah Kott, Elianna Kott, Caleb Hafele, Anthony Desautels, Vincent Desautels, Faith Bauske (Logan), Ben Gaedeke, Sam Gaedeke and Nick Gaedeke; great-grandchildren Logan Travers, Lyla Travers, Russell Travers and Sophia Bauske, along with several nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 5 at the United Presbyterian Church of Walton at 10 a.m. followed by a graveside military burial.
In lieu of flowers the family requests everyone consider becoming an organ donor - there is no greater gift you can give.
