RICHARD J. EISLOEFFEL, MAJ, USMC

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Richard Eisloeffel '76

Date of birth: June 8, 1954

Date of death: October 31, 1988

Age: 34

Lucky Bag

From the 1976 Lucky Bag:

1976 Eisloeffel LB.jpg

RICHARD JAMES EISLOEFFEL

El Cajon, California

If you have never played pinball, surfed at Sandy or La Jolla, "appropriated" pineapples, tried hang-gliding or parachuting, or if you don't like the Beach Boys and "California Girls," then you probably don't have much in common with the "Ice Cream Spoon" of 28th. That is, of course, unless you happen to be an English major, have pulled a hat trick in soccer, play batt lax goalie or own a SR-5 Toyota with a surfboard on top. This San Diego boy has done a lot of traveling in accomplishing these activities, including jaunts to Hawaii and Florida.

Life would be complete for this product of El Cajon Valley High if he could find a girl who could make Pizza like Buzzy's, subs like Timmy's doesn't drink, smoke or swear and who looks sharp in a bikini (lots of luck!)

Marine Air has a hold on Rich now and the future could see him hovering in a Harrier or cruising in a Cobra.

1976 Eisloeffel LB.jpg

RICHARD JAMES EISLOEFFEL

El Cajon, California

If you have never played pinball, surfed at Sandy or La Jolla, "appropriated" pineapples, tried hang-gliding or parachuting, or if you don't like the Beach Boys and "California Girls," then you probably don't have much in common with the "Ice Cream Spoon" of 28th. That is, of course, unless you happen to be an English major, have pulled a hat trick in soccer, play batt lax goalie or own a SR-5 Toyota with a surfboard on top. This San Diego boy has done a lot of traveling in accomplishing these activities, including jaunts to Hawaii and Florida.

Life would be complete for this product of El Cajon Valley High if he could find a girl who could make Pizza like Buzzy's, subs like Timmy's doesn't drink, smoke or swear and who looks sharp in a bikini (lots of luck!)

Marine Air has a hold on Rich now and the future could see him hovering in a Harrier or cruising in a Cobra.

Loss

From The Deseret News on November 1, 1988:

U.S. Marine Corps officials on Tuesday identified the four Marines killed in a helicopter crash Monday in a training area on Okinawa island.

Killed were Maj. Richard J. Eisloeffel, 34, of El Cajon, Calif.; Capt. Michael F. King, 31, of Bend, Ore.; Cpl. Sean M. Timmons, 20, Isle of Palms, S.C.; and Cpl. Charles F. Dehn II, 20, of Glendale, Ore. The accident occurred when two CH-46 helicopters apparently collided while conducting routine training operations, a United States Forces official said Tuesday.

One of the helicopters crashed in mountainous terrain near the Marine Corps base camp in Futenma, Okinawa, about 970 miles south of Tokyo. The other returned to the air station with a missing nose strut.

There were no casualties in the second helicopter. Both helicopters were assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 based at Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Known as “Rich” he graduated from El Cajon Valley High School in 1972. "Rich, considered to be one of our school's outstanding seniors, spent an active four years in Football 1, 2; Baseball 1, 2; Soccer 4; Frosh V. P.; ASB Asst. 2; Sr. Pres; Key Club 2; Pres. 3; CSF 1, 2, 3, 4; nom. Conv. 1, 2, 3; and Campus Life. Out of many favorites, he most liked taxidermy, the sea, the Moody Blues, Biology class, and the quote, 'Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.' After continuing his education, Rich plans 'to travel around the world in 80 days on a raft.' Bank of America Plaque winner. Society of Outstanding American High School Students. Harvard Prize Book Program, Outstanding Teenager of America. Voted 'Most All Around.'"

Richard is buried at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Photographs

All photographs from his high school yearbook.

Related Articles

Michael King '79 was also lost in this accident.


Class of 1976

Richard is one of 11 members of the Class of 1976 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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