Charles Richard “Dick” Mitchell died on Friday, October 14, 2016. He was 90.

He was born on July 24, 1926 to Charles Louis Mitchell and Nora Helen Mitchell in Richmond, California.

Mr. Mitchell began his distinguished military career in 1944 as a private in the US Army. He was a combat infantry paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division during World War II.

After the war he returned to the states and attended college, receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He then completed a seven-year post-graduate program with a triple doctorate in theology, sociology and psychology. He became an ordained Presbyterian minister in 1955 and was associate pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ontario until 2011.

He returned to military service as a chaplain for the US Air Force. He continued 30 years in the US Air Force reserves and retired a colonel in 1986. Throughout his years of service, he received more than 30 military awards and decorations including the Philippine Liberation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Unit Badge, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.

Mr. Mitchell was in private practice as a marriage and family counselor for 44 years until he retired in 2016. From 1978 to 1993, he was executive director of West End Family Counseling in Ontario.

He is survived by his wife, Claudette, four daughters, Ann Martin, Jane Mitchell, Tracie Cornelison and Michelle Menes, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 720 N. Sultana Ave., Ontario.

Interment will be part of a military ceremony on Wednesday, November 2 at 2:15 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans.