Richard D. Tener, Sr.

March 4, 2024

On Friday, March 1, 2024, Richard D. Tener, Sr., known to his friends and family as Dick, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home. Dick was born on July 12, 1946, in South Bend, Indiana. He was the eldest son of Donald Tener and Betty Waage. After graduating from the University of Iowa, he joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, for flight school. While in Pensacola, Florida, Dick would meet and marry his wife, Melba (Mickey) on December 20, 1968.

Dick would later be stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he would receive his wings and began his 20-year career as a P-3 pilot. Dick and Mickey would be stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Pax River, Maryland; Brunswick, Maine; Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; Moffett Field, California; Jacksonville, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana. He retired from VT-10 in Pensacola, Florida as a P-3 pilot. Dick was deployed into Sigonella, Sicily, and Bermuda.

Just ten days after retiring from the United States Navy, Dick was employed by Northwest Airlines as a pilot on the A-320, 727, and 737 aircraft and visited countries all over the world. One of the greatest thrills in his life was being a pilot. He often told stories of his many adventures.

While stationed in Brunswick, Maine, Dick and Mickey welcomed their son, Richard D. Tener, Jr. (Rich), and three years later the small family of three would welcome a little girl, Katherine Tener (Katie), in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. While home from deployment, Dick could often be found with his son bass fishing on lakes throughout south Florida even if this meant playing a day of hooky from school. Dick taught his son to play baseball as a young boy and would continue until his son reached high school. Dick later introduced the game of golf to his son which they both enjoyed playing together over the years. To ensure that his son was able to attend Q school for golf, Dick sold his favorite guitar to secure the funds.

Dick raised a daddy’s girl in Katie. He drove overnight from California to Florida to make it to his daughter’s first dance recital. Together, father and daughter would share a love of cooking and history. He was always the loudest voice during award ceremonies and graduations. There was never any wrong his daughter could do in his eyes.

There was no prouder moment in Dick’s life than when he learned that he would be welcoming his first granddaughter, Katelyn to the world. Twelve years later, on the exact date and exact same time, Dick welcomed his second granddaughter, Olivia. Three years later, Dick welcomed his third granddaughter, Amber, and three years later his first grandson, Ethan. Being a grandfather was the final feather in his cap to make his life complete.

Dick is preceded in death by his father, Donald Tener; mother, Betty Waage; brother, Larry Tener; and sister, Pat Harold.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Melba Tener; son, Richard (Jenea) Tener of Green Cove Springs, Florida; daughter, Katherine Tener of Cantonment, Florida; granddaughters, Katelyn Tener, Olivia Tener, and Amber Tener; grandson, Ethan Tener; brother-in-law, Alex Doty of Dothan, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries