MAGNOLIA - Retired Master Sergeant Richard Spicola went home to be with the Lord, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at Kent General Hospital, having recently celebrated his 66th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by a sister and his devoted wife of 39 years, Kathleen (Burke) Spicola. Richard attended Hamburg High School in Buffalo, New York class of 1968 and in 1970 enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served with honor for 20 years. He met his loving wife Kathleen, at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, as she also proudly served in the Air Force for 20 years. They married in 1976 and enjoyed a wonderful life of travel in their RV with their beloved dogs; lovingly referred to as 'the Boys': Rothschild (Basset Hound), MacDougall (Scotty), and Stubby (Dachshund). Richard had a great love for animals, most recently supporting the War Dog Memorial Service at the Kent County Veterans Memorial Park. He also took pride in attracting Purple Martins and meticulously built many Bluebird houses and nesting shelves for Swallows. To further enhance nature's bounty, Rich planted acres of grand Sunflower fields, beautifying their Magnolia retreat and creating a wildlife sanctuary for everything from deer & fox to Bald Eagles & hummingbirds. Rich prided himself on being the consummate "Mr. Fix-It", he had a true nature for fixing anything from cars and farm tractors to ye old Grandfather clock! Using his GI Bill, Richard earned his Engineering Degree at the University of Delaware and was employed at the DuPont Experiment Station R&D Center in Wilmington, Delaware, for over 20 years. A great lover of life, Richard touched many and added value with countless contributions to wildlife preservation, Bible Study Classes and outstanding photography. He was a devoted husband, family man, & friend and will be sorely missed for the light he shined in every area of life. Services with full military honors are private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the First State Animal Center (SPCA), 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.