Captain Clarence “Clancy” Edgar Rich, USN (Retired) passed away peacefully on the afternoon of 17 November 2017, at his oldest daughter’s house in Davidsonville, Maryland. Clancy died from natural causes, just 25 days short of his 97th birthday.
Clancy was born on 12 December 1920, in Melstone, Montana; the second child, and first son, of Agnes Janet and Lawrence Eugene Rich. His father was a rancher; however, to make money to support his growing family, Lawrence had taken a job with the Milwaukee Railroad in Melstone.
Clancy moved with the family back to the family ranch in western Garfield County in the late spring of 1924, along the South fork of Lodgepole Creek. There Clancy enjoyed the life of a ranch child, building his own miniature log cabin, and catching and keeping a baby eaglet as a family pet for several years. Besides telling his grandchildren the many chores of ranch life for a child, such as riding across country to pick up the mail from the Benzein Post Office, or attending the one-room school where his mother taught, Clancy liked to tell the story of how he killed a bobcat with only a pocket knife, because the bobcat had attacked his dog. When older listeners scoffed, and many did, Clancy would produce the photograph showing him holding the bobcat and the knife.
During his teen years, Clancy’s mother taught school in Cohagen, which allowed himself as well as his older sister Beverly and younger brother Charles “Chuck” to attend the higher school grades in town. One winter Clancy and Chuck were playing near the bridge over the Little Dry. As a truck drove over the bridge from Miles City towards town, Clancy and Chuck tossed pieces of ice at the truck; one of which entered the cab, causing the driver to immediately stop on the bridge. Sensing trouble, Clancy and Chuck quickly hid under the bridge, between the spanners, while the driver yelled at them, using very colorful words. The boys, however, stayed hidden and very quiet, and waited until the driver left before crawling out from under the bridge. Clancy and Chuck were both rather smug at this time, thinking they had outwitted the truck driver. When they finally decided it was time to go home, they were surprised to find the driver, who was delivering coal at their house, telling their mother how he had been attacked with chunks of ice thrown by two boys near the bridge. As Clancy would say when concluding the story, he and Chuck would never do that again.
Upon graduating from Cohagen High School in 1938, Clancy took jobs as a ranch hand at several ranches in order to earn money to go to college. He entered college in the fall of 1939 at Montana State College (now University) in Bozeman, MT, prepared to major in Electrical Engineering, a 5–year program at the time. However, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, on 07 December 1941, quickly changed Clancy’s plans.
Clancy had just left school to work in the mines in Butte, MT, to earn more money to support his college endeavors. He had just completed Phase I of the Civil Pilots Training, and had passed his flight physical on the second try. After two months of letter writing and talking to the MSC Registrar, Clancy was allowed to enroll late for the spring courses. In June 1942 he completed the CPT, Phase II, and his application to the Naval Aviation Cadet Selection Board was accepted.
Clancy reported to Pasco Naval Air Station, Washington on 09 July 1942 for Basic Flight training as a Naval Aviation Cadet. On 05 March 1943, Clancy passed Basic Flight, and reported to NAS Corpus Christie, TX for Advanced Flight training. In early July 1943 Clancy completed the training, and was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve. He then reported to Miami, FL and flew F2F Brewster Buffalos until reassigned to Fighter Squadron 50 (VF-50), the “Devil Cats,” where Clancy flew F6F Hellcats. In December 1943, VF-50 was attached to USS Bataan (CVL-29) and sent to the Pacific Theater.
June 1944 proved to be the pivotal month for Clancy, as he participated in the Marianas Turkey Shoot, scoring 3 kills and 2 probable’s in the first battle of the Philippines Sea. When the USS Bataan was damaged in July, Clancy was reassigned to USS Hornet (CV-12) and Fighter Squadron Two (VF-2), the “Rippers.” He participated in supporting the preparation for the invasion of Leyte.
In late October 1944, Clancy was reassigned state side to NAS Atlantic City, to instruct new pilots and help form a new Fighter Squadron 97. On 15 November 1944, while on leave, he married his college sweetheart, Muriel Sullivan, in Columbia Falls, MT, before reporting for duty at NAS Atlantic City. The dropping of the two atomic bombs ended the war in the Pacific; however, the Soviet Union’s advances in Europe and Asia initiated the Cold War, and Clancy felt it was prudent to stay in the Navy.
Over the next thirty years, Clancy pursued a career in Naval Aviation, flying a variety of fighter aircraft from various carriers, and moving the family across the nation several times as well as overseas to Hawaii and Puerto Rico and Canada. Between fighter Squadron assignments (VCN-1 “Night Fighters,” VF-154 “Black Panthers,” and VF-91 “Red Lightnings”) and carrier deployments to the Mediterranean (USS Midway, CVA-41), to the waters off Korea (USS Yorktown, CVA-10; USS Oriskany, CVA-34; and USS Wasp, CVA-18), or to the western Pacific and South China Sea (USS Ranger, CVA-61; USS Bon Homme Richard, CVA-31), Clancy either attended service schools (General Line, Combat Intelligence, and Naval War College), language school (Russian), or did duty at the Naval Air Training Command or the Pentagon. His final assignment to NAF El Centro, CA was as the first Commanding Officer of the National Parachute Test Range and the Naval Aerospace Recovery Facility.
Clancy retired from the Navy on 30 June 1974. After almost 32 years in the Navy, Clancy returned to Montana to assist in running the family ranch. His post-Navy endeavors included working as a Legislative assistant for Montana’s US Representative (’78-’79), working as the Undersheriff for Garfield County (’81-83), and serving as the Garfield County Appraiser. Once fully retired, Clancy and second wife Ann split their time between Jordan, MT and Cape Coral, FL, involved in volunteer efforts and cruising the world.
Clancy’s three favorite pastimes were flying airplanes, riding horses, and sailing boats. He was able to do one or more of those three for most of his life. Clancy’s pastimes also influenced his activities, as he was an active member of the Elks, the Sundowners (a non-profit group that flies patrols on weekends over the Gulf of Mexico, near the western Florida coastlines, looking for boaters in distress), and Angel Flight. Clancy also helped organize thr Cohagen School Reunion in 1984. In his latter years, Clancy also enjoyed eating at the Senior Center in Jordan, MT on Thursdays, and talking to old friends.
Clancy was predeceased by: his parents Janet and Lawrence Rich, his younger brother Charles, two brothers-in-law Orrin “Mac” McNally (killed in Italy in January 1944 while part of 1st Special Service Force) and C.T. Lorie, one son-in-law Art Neill, Jr. (Sharon), one daughter-in-law Rebecca Rich (Larry), and several cousins.
Clancy is survived by: his sister Beverly Lorie, his sister-in-law Pohney Rich; five children with Muriel – Rolla (Andrea), Sharon Neill, Kathi Kreiner (Ed), Shirley Koch (Ken), Larry Tim; one daughter-in-law Mary Rich, and many nephews and nieces. 15 grandchildren also survive Clancy – Damon Rich (Amanda), Diahn Navares (Nick), Daniel Rich, Debra Rich, Denise Silva (John), Wendy Harrell (Lionel), Art Neill III (Arianna), Paul Kreiner (Mayela), Mark Kreiner (Nazanin), Stephen Kreiner, Joshua Koch, Allison Gamblin (Brand), Priscilla Mishler (Jesse), Melissa Smith-Rich (Tim), and Erika Chao (Richard). Finally, twenty-four great grandchildren survive Clancy: Adiana, Ariana, Arturo, Arwen, Audrey, Cassidy, Charlsey, Christopher, Dominick, Ethan, Gretchen, Jeremiah, Jessica, Keaton, Konnor, Michael, Nicole, Olivia, Tristan, Tristan H., Tyler, Zachary, Zander, and Zoe.
Graveside burial service will be held Thursday, November 30, 2017, at the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, MT at 2:00 PM. A memorial service will be held in June 2018, in Jordan, so those out of state may attend. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Clancy’s remembrance to one of the following organizations:
The Sundowners, INC. P.O. Box 60811, Ft. Myers, FL 33906.
The Senior Citizen Center. 942 Jordan Ave., Jordan, MT 59337.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
2:00 p.m.
Thursday November 30, 2017
Pioneer Cemetery
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
2:00 p.m.
Thursday November 30, 2017
Pioneer Cemetery
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Catherine Byron says
To the Rich Family –
Garfield County lost a bright and wonderful chapter of its history with Clancy’s passing.
My heart and prayers are with all of you.
Rolla Rich says
Clancy Rich was my dad. He grew up on one of the oldest continuous ranches in Garfield County. It was homesteaded by Lawrence Eugene Rich about 1903 when he was 14 years old and built his first cabin and dug two wells while working as the summer herder for the N bar. Clancy turned 21 just 5 days after Pearl Harbor and he enlisted in the Navy an went to flight school and became an aviator. He participated in some of the most significent battles of the Pacific.He fought at Saipan, Guam, Battle of the Philippean Sea, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He had 4.5 victories in WWII. He won the Distinguished Flying Cross several times. He flew as a fighter pilot in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He volunteered for Desert Storm, but was denied although he was still flying at age 70. He was twice selected for the Blue Angels including the original 1946 team of Butch Voris. Later he was one of the high altitude test pilots from whom the original Mercury astronauts were selected. He was disappointed that John Glenn ‘got his ride’ as the Crusader pilot who set the cross-country flight speed record. Clancy determined to be buried in Montana rather than Arlington National Cemetery.
Candy says
Only got to know Clancy for a few years. Grateful to have the opportunity to not just work for him and his family but to get to enjoy some good flying stories and friendship. I will miss him dearly. Thank you for your service.
Jerry and Lori Murnion says
you are all in our thoughts and Prayers, Clancy will be missed by all.
Jim and Carol Williams says
Clancy will surely be missed. He was a true gentleman.
Muff Engdahl says
Thoughts and prayers to all of Clancy’s family,
I have a lot of great memories working with him at the court house in Jordan. So many great stories he told of his adventures in the military. He will be missed by all that knew him. He was truly a great man and a gentleman.
Joe and BEv Murnion says
Our deepest sympathy to all Joe and Clancy did a lot of work together for the VFW He was a great gentleman
mary alice murnion says
Clancy will be missed by all who knew him. A lot of histiry passed on with this gentleman and soldier. My sympathy to all the Rich families. May he rest in peace.
Wes & Ronda Rogge says
Our sympathy to all the Rich families. Wes always enjoyed the stories that Clancy and Chuck told. He will be missed.
Kalvin Wille says
On a Friday evening in 1979 (maybe 1980, it’s a long time ago now) I was a 20 year old E4 serving on a submarine tender in San Diego. It was a Friday evening and I was on duty. The officer of the day came into my shop and said: “you have a call in my office from Captain Rich”. I said: “Yes sir, do you know what it’s about?” He said: “none of my business, some 4 striper wants to talk to you, let’s go” I was terrified. When I reached his office the line was dead, but I called the number. A woman (Ann) answered. I said I was returning Captain Rich’s call. She said: “You must be Kalvin (OK, weird, first name so probably not official…what the hell?). Here, talk to this guy.” The “guy” was Jack Currey. He and Mary Alice were visiting Clancy and Ann. At that point I had never heard of Clancy Rich and had no idea that such a significant figure in US Naval history came from Jordan, Montana.
I had the weekend off and the four of them picked me up Saturday morning. We spent a fantastic day with Clancy taking us on a tour of the USS Enterprise…the duty officer held us up, very briefly saying how sorry he was that the ship was not open to the public and that there was no possibility of a tour…until Clancy put his ID card under that plaque bearing his name that was still displayed on the Quarterdeck. Then it was just a few “Yes Sirs” until we had a “guide” for a thorough look at the ship with Clancy doing all the talking and the young JG getting to see parts of the ship he could technically access, but which were clearly above his pay grade. The JG and I traded a sort of awestruck glance when he opened the door to the Admiral’s command post and Clancy noted the name, saying in a jovial tone: “I’ll be damned, that little bastard made Admiral. Good for him, he worked for me 20 years ago, great kid”.
I am proud to have known Clancy to the extent I did. His service to this county was impressive, heartfelt and lifelong. Fair winds and following seas Captain. Rest well, we have the watch.
Donovan Currey says
Rolla and the rest of the Rich’s,
My prayers go out to you and thanks for sharing some of your father’s history.
Clancy was one of my father’s closest friends and whenever I returned to Jordan to visit it was always a must to visit with Clancy and Ann. I remember on one occasion he asked me to be his visual radar as he completed some instrument only flight time to keep his instrument rating up-to-date. We made a flight to Glasgow with him wearing his ” instrument only ” glasses and me looking for on-coming planes, wondering why I agreed to risk my life with some seventy year old man. During that flight he share some stories of his time flying fighter planes and I remember thinking, how was it possible for some “country boy” from Garfield County to ever make it to being a decorated pilot in the Navy, by the end of that trip I realized I could fly anywhere with Clancy and feel safe.
The story that Kalvin shared, was one that my father shared with me when they returned from that trip to Southern California and like Kalvin and the JG, dad was amazed with where Clancy took them and how much he knew about that ship. Clancy was very intelligent and always interesting to visit with, he will be missed.
I would guess that Clancy has already approached the Lord, to ask about spending some time in the “command post” and offering to take on any mission that he may need completed. Clancy may you continue your life of protecting others in your new place of eternity.
Brandon Garoutte says
My uncle Clancy Rich is probably the reason I’m a pilot today he took me flying in Florida and Montana when I was a kid. One of my fondest memory’s was a horse he had bought for us to ride when we were kids , that he called buster we rode that horse all the way from the Brown Ranch to the Rich Ranch on Jerry Twitchels wagon train. There are a lot of things the uncle Clancy gave to the world that are all still with me those things being ,the love of good music , being an excellent pilot and teacher in the cockpit, and finally he was the best host when you went to his house . I found myself using a skill he taught me the other day that being how to drill holes properly in steel I was showing a kid how to do it and I had to think of the uncle that had taught me that. You will be missed by many but we will never forget you and the lives you’ve touched.
Harold and Mareta Brusett says
Clancy was a good neighbor and we will miss saying “Hi” to him over the fence our prayers are with his family.
Nick Spark says
We’ve posted an incredible video featuring Clancy at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqyvJOHW-NQ
It’s a film made for his retirement from the U.S. Navy. Please share with the family.