Roper Funeral Home and Crematory 206 Holly St Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-7500 (706) 253-0040 www.roperfuneralhome.com Richard Sales "Dick" Cheesborough, 92, passed away January 31, 2025, peacefully at his home in Jasper, Georgia with his wife, Judy, by his side. Dick was born November 22, 1932, in Augusta, Georgia, the oldest of the three sons of Frank and Cora Cheesborough. He grew up near the banks of the Savannah River and spent much of his time fishing, building model airplanes and learning mechanical repairs in his father's automotive repair shop. Dick graduated as salutatorian of Richmond Academy in 1949 and spent a year at The Citadel before enlisting in the Army and obtaining an appointment to the United States Military Academy. A proud member of the West Point Class of 1955, Dick marched in Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration parade and later received his diploma from Ike. After commissioning as an Army lieutenant, he served as a paratrooper and jumpmaster with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and as a Green Beret officer, 10th Special Forces Group, Bad Toelz, Germany, where he was promoted to Captain. He also served in Nike Hercules missile units in Germany during the early years of the Cold War. Upon returning stateside in 1964 Dick left the Army to become a rocket engineer with NASA during the Gemini and early Apollo programs at the Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida. While in Florida he also enjoyed fishing on the St John's River. After NASA he had a long career as a civil engineer for Kimberly-Clark, which took him to locations in South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Australia and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Dick had a long and full life and kept his wry sense of humor throughout it. Despite having the practical nature of an engineer, he was a connoisseur of corny jokes and an animal lover (especially cats). In his 40's he developed a passion for running and participated in numerous races, often winning his age group. He and Judy enjoyed playing golf together for many years and spending retirement time in their mountainside home; they were in their 50th year of marriage. Dick was also extremely talented in designing and completing projects ranging from small models to major home renovations. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill and Lee Cheesborough, a son-in-law, Dr. Grayson Brown, and his favorite aunt, Anna Barbara Cheesborough Duncan. He is survived by his wife Judy, and five children: Cora Anne Houser, Norfolk, VA; Bill (Susan) Cheesborough; Harlem, GA; Nancy Brown, Evans, GA; Beth (Allen) Siegler, Athens, GA; Rob (Ruth) Lucky, Green Cove Springs, FL; and daughter-in-law Susan Sarver Lucky, Martinez, GA, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a fine old orange cat, Tom. Dick Cheesborough was a strong role model for fairness, integrity and tenacity; he had a brilliant mind, a calm demeanor, and pride in his service to his country. He will be missed. A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 13, 2025 in the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. that day. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Georgia National Cemetery. And when our work is done, our course on earth is run, May it be said, "Well done, be thou at peace."(Closing lines of the West Point Alma Mater) Roper Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be entrusted with the services of Richard Cheesborough.