Richard (Dick) Morton Trapp, Maj, USAF Retired. Age 92, passed away peacefully at home on August 1, 2026. Preceded in death by 18 months was his wife of 70 years, Wilma Jean Bryant Trapp, his parents, Ethel and Fred Trapp, brothers Fred and Paul and sisters Virginia and Louise. Dick is also predeceased by a great-granddaughter, Olivia Reeder.

Richard, born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, came from humble beginnings, was the youngest of 5 children and grew up in Braintree, MA. After High School graduation and attending college, he decided to join the military. As a career Officer in the United States Air Force, Richard accumulated over 3500 hours of flight time as a Navigator, and, when not flying, was an Aircraft/Flight Maintenance Officer. After completing basic training at Sampson AFB in New York, he went to Officer Candidate School at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, followed by getting his Navigators Wings at Ellington AFB in Houston, TX. As part of the Tactical Air Command (TAC), he flew C-119, C-121, C-130A, C-130B, C-130D, C130E, RF-4C and B-57 aircraft, taking him to 26 countries outside of the USA. Richard was also a Standards Evaluation Officer for testing proficiency of other Navigators. He and his family were stationed at 13 bases during his military career, including 2 bases in Thailand where he flew reconnaissance in the Vietnam War, along with TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment) in Greenland, France and Greece for NATO.

Amongst Richard’s military awards were The Air Medal, Air ForceOutstanding Unit Award, Air ForceCommendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Military Merit Medal, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal and Meritorious Service Medal from Italy. Richard is now honored on the National Military Monument in Washington, DC.

Richard’s second career of 18 years was as a purchasing agent at Price-Bass Company in Nashville. During these years, he navigated life with Wilma as a Registered Nurse, four girls with different schedules, supporting them as a Bellevue High School Band Booster, was one of Karen's softball coaches and, along with Wilma, was an avid bowler. He also became a grandfather for the first time, eventually welcoming six grandchildren. Even with all this, he and Wilma made nightly family dinners a priority, maintaining a sense of routine, togetherness, and parental involvement while their daughters were still in high school.

Once retired, Dick volunteered at St. Thomas Hospital, loved to work in the yard, travel with Wilma, watch football and spend time with family. He was an amazing cook of many foods, and he baked dozens of goodies for neighbors at Christmas every year. An active member of St Henry Church since 1973, Dick was a devoted participant in the Cursillo movement, leading the men’s kitchen team for many retreats. He also volunteered at Room in the Inn, and he served as a Sacristan at the 6:30AM mass for over 20 years. He was a liturgical and eucharistic minister, after which he and Wilma trained numerous new ministers. He served as Parish Council chair, was part of the weekly offerings counting team and a recipient of the St. Henry Angel Award. Additionally, Richard chaired the building committee for the 2006 expansion of St. Henry that included the nave, sanctuary, chapel and fellowship hall. As a further testament to his generosity, Richard donated his body to Vanderbilt Anatomical Donation to benefit research and training for doctors/healthcare providers and the future generations they will serve.

Richard is Survived by daughters Terri Reeder, Marie Trapp and Patti Trapp of Nashville, TN, and Karen Lutz (Irvin) of Houston, TX. Grandchildren include Travis Reeder (Holly), Jason Reeder (Tracie), Eric Reeder (Joy), Nichole Lutz Ingegno (Daniel), Corey Lutz, and Daniel Lutz (Molly). Great-grandchildren include Lorelei Reeder, Tatum Reeder, Teagan Reeder, Tinley Reeder and Ava Lutz. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Joseph Bryant, Jr. of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and nieces Sanna Bryant and Kendall Bryant Studnitzer (Bradley). Additionally, Dick is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.

Special gratitude to Dick’s Cursillo group who supported him for decades and ensured he had his Mexican food nearly every week. Richard’s faith meant everything to him, and he set aside time nearly every day to watch mass on TV. Much heartfelt appreciation to the team of Extraordinary Ministers for the Homebound (Bolin, Paula, Mila and Hector, Joan, Jeanne, Joe and others) who brought Holy Communion when Dick was unable to attend Mass in person.

.A military funeral honors ceremony for the burial of Richard’s and Wilma’s cremains will be at Grove Cemetery, Lyles, TN on November 8, 2026 at 1:30PM. All are welcome.

On November 9, 2026, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Richard Trapp at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Road, Nashville, Tennessee. Visitation will be from 9:00AM to 11:00AM in the Narthex. Mass begins at 11:00AM, with a reception at Rippy’s Table & Tavern (2:00PM to 6:00PM) in Bellevue.

Livestream of the Mass will be available will be available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaintHenryCatholicChurchand Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sthenrycatholicchurchtn/Memorials may be made to St. Henry Building Fund or St. Vincent DePaul Society.Richard leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and unwavering faith—a true testament to a life well lived. His spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew him.