Richard Joseph Glennon, 69, died Dec. 17, 2002, at his home.

He was born Jan. 11, 1933, in New Bedford, Mass. He moved to Whidbey Island in 1984.

He was an honor graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and became an Air Force jet fighter pilot. He served 10 years in the Strategic Air Command and achieved the rank of major. He then became a commercial airline pilot, retiring as a DC-10 captain for United Airlines.

He had a passion for sailing and made his mark as a championship sailor. For the last 20 years he enjoyed sailing the waters of Puget Sound with his family. He was an avid golfer and made it a point to golf year-round, golfing nearly every day at Useless Bay Country Club or in Palm Springs, Calif.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; children Kathleen, Christian and Jay; sisters Rita, Pat and Mary Jane; and grandchildren Lauren, Grace, Alexandra.

Funeral mass was held Dec. 20 at St. Hubert Catholic Church, Langley.