Richard Fellows Handrahan ’43

Richard Fellows Handrahan ’43 died February 17, 2014, at Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville, New York. Dick grew up in Canandaigua, New York. He came to Dartmouth after graduating from the Canandaigua Academy, where he earned his scholastic letter. Dick joined the Army Air Corps in January 1942, in the middle of his junior year. He was a top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 bomber and flew 34 strategic bombing missions over Italy, France, Germany and elsewhere in central Europe. Their aim was to destroy railroads, oil refineries and marshaling yards. Among his many awards were four Air Medals, four campaign stars and the French Legion of Honor. The latter was received for his involvement in the Operation Dragoon invasion in southern France. After the war Dick spent his entire business career in the auto retail business, eventually becoming vice president of Hetzel Motors Inc. in Wellsville. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge, the Frank Church Post—Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Morris Hayes Post—American Legion. Dick was predeceased in 2001 by his wife, Alberta, whom he had married in 1947. He was also predeceased in 2005 by a son, Michael. Dick is survived by daughter Suzi and husband Bill, daughter Mary Jane, eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.