Richard Robert Post has joined his shipmates on eternal furlough. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he passed away peacefully on January 25, 2019 surrounded by his family.

Born July 23, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY to Glentworth Penfield Post and Caroline Hedenkamp Post. He resided in Elmont, Long Island, NY then later Jericho, Long Island. When WWII erupted, Richard enlisted and served over three years on the Renshaw (DD-499) in the Pacific theater, where the Japanese torpedoed the ship. On that fateful day he lost 19 shipmates in the explosion, but he and other survivors saved the ship by stuffing mattresses in the hole. Richard enjoyed going to the Destroyer reunions for many years.

Upon his return to NY, he became a career Iron Worker and welder with Ironworkers #40, walking the beams of high steel above New York City. He served as chief of the Jericho Fire Department, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6478 in Bellerose, NY where he was the post commander from 1946-1948.

Upon retirement, he moved to North Carolina where he lived in Calabash and later Wilmington. Richard was a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #7122 before transferring to Council #1074 in Wilmington, where he was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 10 in Wilmington.

He is survived by his loving and wonderful wife Virginia Bellamy Post; 3 children: Dan and Susan Hickman of Wilmington, Ron and Marcia Hickman of Marietta, GA, and Jennifer MacLeod of Myrtle Beach, SC; 8 grandchildren: Hank Hickman and Claire Clemmons of Wilmington, Russ Hickman of Philadelphia, PA. Josh Hickman and Katie Posey of Mt. Vernon, WA, Jesse Hickman of Tinamaste, Costa Rica, Taylor Arciola and Nolan Lackey of Myrtle Beach, SC and 12 great-grandchildren. He is survived also by his sister Florence Frey of Milltown, NJ.

An avid and gregarious traveler with a ready smile and quick wit, Richard never met a stranger. He loved to laugh, tell stories, bake cookies and experience life to the fullest. He enjoyed working with his hands and shot a mean round of golf. Active until the very end, he and Virginia were a fixture at the local fitness center, where they served as an inspiration for the younger members. He was a humble man who had strength of his convictions and knew that the best reward was a life well lived. His passing has left a void that simply cannot be filled, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 9am on Friday, February 8, 2019, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 6650 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28412. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax deductible donation to the USO either online by secure server, calling 1-800-876-7469 or sending a check or money order made payable to "USO", USO Dept. WS, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20090-6860.