Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dies of Lung Cancer

By: Allison Nichols

SPRINGFIELD- Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ronald H. Lache died Monday in his home here after a long fight against lung cancer.  He was 68.

            He was born on Nov. 3, 1943, in Philadelphia to Harry and Thelma Curry Lache. 

            Lache lived an honorable life as a lieutenant colonel of the Air Force.  Lache is remembered for always putting others before himself.  Jack Smith, a fellow Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, served with Lache for five years.  “I remember once when we were in great danger while flying.  Lache was ready to risk his life for mine,” said Smith. “He wanted me to jump to safety while he continued to fly the plane.”

            He spent much of his life living in Dayton, Ohio, before he moved to Springfield with his family.  His wife, the former Delores Carney, died March 7 of this year in a car accident. According to Lache’s lifetime friend, David Longhorn, this was very difficult for Lache to deal with.  “He loved her so much,” said Longhorn.  

            Lache and Carney were high school sweethearts.  They married before Lache entered the air force.  “He wrote her a letter every day,” said Smith.  

            Lache was a member of the Newman Center and The Rock Bridge Lions Club. Lache loved community service and helping out his local neighborhood.  His favorite activity in the club was visiting the Springfield Orphanage because he loved children, according to fellow Lions Club member Robert Thunderbridge.

            He is survived by a large family including his mother, Thelma Lache; his son, Ronald Lache; three daughters, Barbara Ann Peck, Patrice Louis Wylie, Cynthia Lache; and one granddaughter, Jennifer C. Peck.

            A graveside funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Springfield.  Visitation will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Service, 606 Washington Ave. in Downingtown.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ronald H. Lache is remembered as an honorable, loving man.
(Photo courtesty of the U.S. Air Force)