Richard C. Pulling Sr., 79

DOVER - Richard C. Pulling Sr., of Dover, died Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at Kent General Hospital. He was 79 years old. Mr. Pulling was born April 1, 1930, in Jackson, Mich., to the late Clarence David Pulling and Aileen Fennell Pulling. He served in the U.S. Navy and Marines for 7 years. Mr. Pulling worked from 1967 to 1972 as an engineer for ILC Industries in Dover working on the Apollo Moon Landing project. Mr. Pulling owned and operated his own business with his wife, HPS, Inc., a wholesale souvenir and postcard business in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia from 1972 to 1998 when he retired. Mr. Pulling had his pilots license and his expertise was aerial photography which he used extensively throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. He was particularly proud of his work doing aerial photos for Vlasic Foods. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, golf, sports with his children and especially flying airplanes. Mr. Pulling was a member of the BPOE #1903 and Walter L. Fox Post #2 in Dover. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Dover. Mr. Pulling served on the Board of Directors of Delaware Crime Stoppers. He served on the Board of Directors for the International Postcard Distributors Association and on the Board of Directors of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) as a National Trustee from 1990 – 1994. As a National Trustee for COPS, he participated in the dedication of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. During the ceremony, he had the privilege to read the names of officers killed in the line of duty with John Walsh of Americas Most Wanted television show. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Delaware State Police Corporal David B. Pulling. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jacqueline Dunlevy Pulling of Dover; his son, Delaware State Police Captain Richard C. Pulling, Jr. and wife Tracy Walls-Pulling of Middletown; his brother, Reginald Pulling and wife Barbara of Phoenix City, Ala.; sister, Cleora Donbier of Bronson, Fla.; sister-in-law, Elvira Dunlevy of Otto, N.C.; his grandchildren, Jonathan Pulling of Florida and George Pulling of Texas, Sarah and Matthew Pulling of Middletown, and Whitney-Marie Pulling of Newark, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State St., Dover, where friends may call one hour prior. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service. Additionally, friends may call at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover, from 6-8 p.m. Monday. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware COPS, P.O. Box 430, Dover, DE 19903; or the Delaware Veterans Home Fund, 100 Delaware Veterans Blvd., Milford, DE 19963. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.