Obituaries

After retiring in 1995, Dr. Richards moved from Alexandria to Sarasota, Fla., where he was a tour guide at the Mote Marine Laboratory. He moved to Harrisonburg about a month ago.

His marriage to Phyllis Gray Richards ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth M. Richards of Harrisonburg; five children from his first marriage, Donald Richards of Bloomingdale, N.J., Barbara Richards of Gaithersburg, Steven Richards and Meagan Richards, both of Kensington, and Paula Richards of Salisbury, Mass.; a sister; a brother; and six grandchildren.

-- Matt Schudel

William C. BehnkeAir Force Pilot

William C. Behnke, 86, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who was a World War II fighter pilot, died of a heart attack June 24 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

Col. Behnke was born in Evansville, Ind., and graduated from Evansville University. He joined the National Guard as a student and was transferred to the Army Air Forces at the beginning of World War II.

He spent five years in the Pacific theater as a fighter squadron commander and participated in a 1945 raid that rescued 500 U.S. prisoners from a Japanese prisoner camp in Cabanatuan, Philippines. The mission was the basis for the 2005 film "The Great Raid."

Col. Behnke later served at NATO headquarters in Europe and at the Pentagon.

He lived in Fairfax City for many years and later in Solomons before moving to Fredericksburg seven years ago. He enjoyed sailing and golf and was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg and of the Quiet Birdmen, a flying organization.