Army Col. Richard Cato, 69; Vietnam War Hero, Executive

In addition to the Silver Star, Col. Cato's decorations included two awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart and four Meritorious Service Medals.

After retiring from the Army in 1986, Col. Cato held executive positions with defense contractors BDM and Boeing.

He also worked on the national presidential campaign of George H.W. Bush, allocating campaign funds to states.

He concluded his career in 2004 as a vice president at Science Applications International in Fairfax County, managing multibillion-dollar defense telecommunications projects.

In retirement, Col. Cato indulged his passion for cooking and enrolled at L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, from which he graduated with distinction.

He was a licensed pilot, and his other interests included squash, tennis, poetry, history and international travel. He was a member of The Falls Church, an Anglican church in Falls Church.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Emily Davis Cato of Fairfax County; two children, Gavin R. Cato of Cary, N.C., and Lauren E. Checkley of Bristol, Ind.; a brother, retired Army Col. Robert B. Cato of Arlington; two sisters, Barbara C. Nelson of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Suzanne C. Dilda of Seminole, Fla.; and five grandchildren.