Obituary of Richard W. Bregard

Richard W. “Dick” Bregard, a retired colonel, proud and distinguished 38-year veteran of the United States Army, passed away on July 16, 2023. 
A native of Syracuse, he joined the US Army in 1959, served as an NCO in the States, Korea & Germany.  He was selected to attend Ordnance Officer Candidate School & received his commission as an Ordinance Officer in 1968.  His first notable assignment was as an Electronic Maintenance Platoon Leader in the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, after which he returned to command a company at the Ordnance Missile & Munitions Center and School from 1969-71.  In 1974-75 he served as Commander Direct Support Element, HAWK, Korea.  Other assignments include working in the STINGER Project Office; Missile & Munitions Division Chief, 2nd Support Command, Germany; becoming the first Munitions Systems Manager at Redstone Arsenal;  1984-86 he became the Commander of the Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant.  He later commanded Rock Island Arsenal during Desert Shield & Desert Storm.  His last assignment before retiring was Deputy Program Officer, US Army Material Command in VA.  After retiring in 1997, Dick continued to support the Department of Defense, the US Army & the Ordnance Corps.  His first civilian position was with Nichols Research.  Followed by executive positions with Aerojet Rocketdyne & Northrup Grumman, President Areojet Ordnance Tennessee where he continued the development of weapons systems, such as fielding the first Smart Artillery Munition.  On May 4th, 2022, COL Bregard was inducted into the US Army’s Ordinance Corp Hall of Fame.
Col Bregard’s education is extensive; graduated with honors from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University; BS in Business Mgmt from Alabama A&M and an MS in logistics from Florida Institute of Technology.  
COL Bregard’s notable awards and decorations include the Distinguished  Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal 2nd Award, Army Commendation Medal with 2nd Award and with Combat Distinguishing Device “V”, Army Achievement Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal 3rd Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Technical Service Medal 3rd Award, Noble Patron of Armor Award, National Defense Industrial Association Firepower Award and the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe #365.  
Predeceased by his parents, William R and Ann K (Steingrebe) Bregard and his sister, Linda Bregard Paul.  He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Brown Bregard; his sisters, Karen (Don) Stonecipher, Joyce (Ken) O’Brien; four children, Wayne Bregard, Jim (Barb) Bregard, Tammy (Mark) Splawn,  Angela (Kevin) Kidd;  nine grandchildren;  five great grandchildren & several nieces and nephews.
Services will be private.
Donations in his name can be made to Army Emergency Relief (armyemergencyrelief.org) or a charity of your choice.

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