PHILLIPS – Maj. Richard “Dick” Middagh Stovall, 71, of Phillips died peacefully at his home in Phillips on April 9, 2014.
Dick was born on Jan. 13, 1943 in Sacramento, Calif., the son of Col. Jack Stovall and Frances Middagh Stovall.
He was an “Air Force brat” who lived all over the world. He was a graduate of Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967, serving on active duty for eight years (1967-1974).
He was a highly decorated Vietnam combat veteran who was awarded the Silver Star in 1969 for exceptionally valorous action as commander of a field artillery unit in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He was a senior parachutist (“Jumpmaster”) who was also awarded three Bronze Stars, an Army Commendation Medal with “V” for valor, Air Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star during the term of his Vietnam service. His sometimes unorthodox tactical and strategic skills saved the lives of many of the men serving under him, and sending those men home alive was his proudest military accomplishment.
Thereafter, he served in the Kansas National Guard graduating in 1980 from the Command and General Staff Officer Course for Reserve Officers, earning the Army National Guard Achievement Medal, and attaining the rank of major.
He owned and operated his own Apple computer support business in Austin, Texas and worked for Apple computer as a business analyst. He was an accomplished martial artist with a black belt in Kendo, the ancient Japanese art of swordsmanship, which he was trained in since childhood. In 2005, Dick “retired” to Phillips, Maine. He loved the people of his adopted home town and leaves behind many friends.
He believed in being of service to his community and made many contributions to the town. He taught computers to high school students and fixed computers for most of the Apple users in town. He was a member of the Phillips Downtown Revitalization Committee and a past commander of the Prescott-Fairbanks American Legion Post #64 in Phillips. He was “handy” and always willing to lend a helping hand to friends around town.
He was a member of the Franklin County Democrats and twice ran for political office, first for county commissioner in 2010, and then for the Maine House (District 90) in 2012. He loved putting his hands in the dirt and making things grow. He founded and ran the Phillips Farmers’ Market for the past three years (2011-2013) and wanted the market to be his legacy. He was working hard getting the market to open when he left us.
Dick is survived by his two sisters: Frances “Judy” Tshudy of Fremont, Calif. and Susan Carter of Tyler, Texas; his brother, John F. Stovall of San Marcos, Texas; his beloved lab, “Shadow” and his many friends in the Phillips area.
A Memorial Service with Military Honor Guard will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 15 Depot St., Phillips, ME.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 68 Main St., Phillips, ME 04966.
You will be sadly missed by our community. We love you Dick.. R.I.P. sweet gentle man..
Dick was a brilliant thinker and strategist in all walks of life. No matter how strongly he might disagree with a person’s point of view, he always debated the points with great respect and in the end, both parties could come to consensus or compromise, thanks to his ability to facilitate that process. His dedication to his friends and his town of Phillips was immeasurable. I miss you, Dick.
He sounds like an extraordinary guy. Whad will become of his dog ,Shdow?
I’ll try again. MR Stovall seems to have no nearby relatives. What is being done about his beloved dog. Ann Geller do you have any info?
David, Dick did not have family in the area but he did have many close friends. Shadow is with his friend Donna. He’s not at the shelter and he won’t be taken to a shelter. He is, of course, kind of sad and confused. Donna or I will keep him, unless someone we know and trust steps forward to offer him a better home than either of us can provide. Thank you for asking about him.
Thank you Barbara. Dick lives on through Shadow.
Thanks for the info Barbara.
I graduated from High school with Dick. Does anyone know the circumstances of his death?
Also, this is the second time I have grieved for Dick. In the late 60’s the Dayton Daily News listed Dick as KIA in Viet Nam. I didn’t know he was alive until the 90’s. He was a good friend.
Good friend “Dicky Donut” Met through his marriage to my old friend and assistant for years at My Winters Inn in Kingfield. Will miss Dick and his faithful pal “shadow” May they both be in great peace for a long time!
From time to time I search for men I served with in the Army and I have no idea what possessed me to search for Dick Stovall today.
In 1973, I was a young, dumb, newly-minted, U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant. Dick (Captain Stovall to me) was my first unit commander when I reported for duty at Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion (Airborne) 319th Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC. We were the “Bravo Bulls” and I was an artillery Forward Observer.
Nine days after reporting, at the height of the ’73 Arab/Israeli War, the 82nd Airborne was put on alert for possible deployment to the Middle East. Once we finally began getting word of what was happening and our possible mission, Cpt. Stovall pulled me into his office. He said, “Lt. Carter, Sgt. Rodriquez (a Vietnam vet) will be your Recon Sergeant. He will be your rock. And on this rock, you will build a house.”
Turns out, we stood down within a week and never deployed.
Not long after my arrival, Cpt. Stovall chose to leave the Army.
He was a fine officer and I regret not having more time under his command.