Standing, Piecyzonka, Fossate, Sullivan Dick Walding is kneeling. Bottom, R J Baumann
Richard Walding was born 27 December 1925, in Sioux City, to John Richard and Loretta (O’Shonessy) Walding. Siblings are Mary Jean Duzik and Margaret Closner, Jack and Edward. He was attending the all boy Trinity High School, had one year to go when he enlisted. Received his GED diploma in 1947.
Richard enlisted 10 December 1943, from Sioux City. He served aboard the USS Sibley. They were in Iwo Jima for eight days running the landing craft in with supplies and back with wounded to the ship. The Domain of the Golden Dragon acknowledged his crossing the 180th meridian, on 31 January 1945, on the USS Sibley APA 106. Ratings held on discharge are as follows: ‘AS F2c Flc
MoMM3C, USNTS, Farragut, Idaho; Landing Craft School (pac); USS Sibley, USS LST 1077; Discharged May 1946.
He then joined the Navy Reserves, 24 September 1946; and was called up to serve in Korea in the fall of 1950. It was eight weeks after the birth of his youngest daughter who was born 5 August 1950.
Richard married Evelyn M. Ballard, on 8 September 1948, in Sioux City, at St. Joseph’s Church. Son, Leo, one daughter called Mandy, both live in Minneapolis; Vincent is married to Susan Reynolds, and they have five children: Nicholas, Natalie, Teresa, John and Philip. Donna and Dan Nelson have three children: Carl, Benjamin and Jennifer, and live in Sioux City. Joyce and Pat Gastro have three children: Angela, Shannon and Kim (all girls).
Post war found Richard working for Great Northern for the next forty years as a carman. They are the ones who kept up the boxcars. Richard was a long time scouter. He had cub scouts, boy scouts, explorers over the years. He attended Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico, three times. Two of those, he led explorers into the mountains. His hobbies were woodcarving, candle making, photography and molding chalk figures. He loved to camp with is favorite dog, Itch (a black dachshund). He attended some years, the annual USS Sibley reunion, which has been held all over the country. The last one in Utah.
Richards’ father and uncle married sisters, so they are double cousins. Richard and Evelyn belonged to St. Michael’s Church in the Leeds area. His best friend in WWII Navy lives in Montana.
Richard passed away 16 January 1998, and is buried at Graceland Park, in Sioux City. The funeral was held at St. Michael’s Church on a cold, cold snowy day.
Submitted by his wife, Evelyn Walding.
