Richard M. Thoden, Jr.

On September 16, 2025, the soul of Richard (Dick) M. Thoden, Jr., 92, departed his body for the next life. Born on February 25, 1933, in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Richard M. Thoden, Sr. and Adelaide V. (Staats) Thoden.

He married the great love of his life Jeannette A. Paul in 1954. They spent 71 wonderfully happy years together, raising four children while traveling various places in the USA and overseas during Dick's 26-year Air Force Career. He taught the Air Force ROTC program at Lehigh University from 1965-1968. After retirement as Colonel in 1980, he settled in Bethlehem. He then worked as an auditor at PPL. In 2000, Bishop Edward Cullen ordained him as a permanent Deacon of the Catholic Church and he served twelve years at Assumption BVM parish in Saucon Valley.

Dick was a veteran of the Korean War era and the entire Cold War, flying air refueling tankers. In the Vietnam War, he flew 181 combat missions in C-130a aircraft over a period of two years. He accumulated a total of over 5200 hours flying time.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Jeannette; four children, Joseph, Richard (Sandy), Paula (Chip) and Philip (Holly); one brother, Philip and one sister, Peggy; numerous grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Another viewing will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025 from 10-11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 3219 Santee Road., Bethlehem, PA 18020 with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m. in the church. Interment will conclude services at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church in memory of Dick.

Online condolences may be made at www.connellfuneral.com.