Richard Wood Kincade

Naval Aviator, Racquetball Hall of Famer Dies at 89

Commander Richard Wood Kincade was born in Norfolk, Virginia on August 4, 1925 to Colonel Gerard Kincade and Helen Waterman Kincade. He had two brothers, John and Waldo and an eldest stepbrother, Gerry. Dick’s fondest childhood memories were growing up in Palos Verdes, CA, in a large home his mother designed that overlooked the southern California coast. The boys learned to swim, surf, fish, play tennis, and ride horses. In 1937, Helen moved the family north to Berkeley, CA.

Dick attended Berkeley High School, where on a blind date in 1943, he met the love of his life, Phyllis Anne Clark. He was 17 and she was 15. Little did they know they would marry and spend the next 70 years together! Dick joined the Navy in 1943 and became a Naval Aviator. He rose through the ranks during his many tours of duty, including aircraft carrier assignments on the USS Princeton during the Korean war and on the USS Midway during the Viet Nam war.

When not at sea, Dick helped Phyllis raise their four children, Ellie, Rick, Ginny and Susie. During his second assignment at Naval headquarters in Washington, D.C., he made what he felt was his greatest contribution to Naval aviation, leading a project to build and install the first anti-missile devices in U.S. military aircraft.

When not at sea, Dick helped Phyllis raise their four children, Ellie, Rick, Ginny and Susie. During his second assignment at Naval headquarters in Washington, D.C., he made what he felt was his greatest contribution to Naval aviation, leading a project to build and install the first anti-missile devices in U.S. military aircraft.

Commander Kincade retired from the Navy in 1968 and pursued management careers in California and Nebraska. He founded 3 racquetball clubs called Sports Courts in Nebraska. His passion for the sport contributed to the rise of racquetball popularity and he continued playing competitively until 2014. He was the National Masters Champion in singles and doubles multiple times and was inducted to the U.S. Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2008. He also supported his children’s springboard diving careers, coaching and organizing clubs and meets wherever the family was stationed. Unknown to most of the world, Dick founded the sport of synchronized diving in 1971 at the Great Plains meet in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dick and Phyllis moved to Colorado in 1980 and built successful real estate careers in Colorado Springs, Woodland Park and Divide. Adventurous, curious, and intrepid travelers, they visited more than 35 countries, rafted the Grand Canyon, skied and hiked in Colorado, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. They instilled in their 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren a love of skiing and of the outdoors and nature that remains part of the family legacy today. 

Dick was a passionate patriot who lived a warrior’s life dedicated to the love and service of his family, community and country. He is loved and missed by many.

The family will be receiving friends of Dick and Phyllis on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 356 Dani Place in Divide, CO from 2 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations will be gratefully accepted by DayBreak – An Adult Day Program,  providing enrichment for those needing care and respite for their caregivers, P.O. Box 4777, Woodland Park, CO 80866.

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