Richard Rex Wartenberg

You don’t know me – I am a friend of Chris Kollner, who sounds like he is feeling this loss deeply.
When we lose our loved ones so close to us, it is tragic and leaves a hole that might never be filled or heal. But we also try to hold on to the fact that a Son or Daughter of God has gone to be with the Lord. I pray that you all are surrounded by the love and comfort of our Savior during your grief, and that you can rejoice in that Richard’s soul has gone home and that you will one day be reunited with him.

Condolences to all of the family of Rich Wartenburg. I had the opportunity to fly with then Lt. / Capt. Wartenburg during our time in the C-141 in Ohio. His demeanor in the cockpit was one of a very good pilot, leader and took care to ensure we always had what we needed to accomplish our missions. Captain Wartenburg will always be remembered as caring, fun to hang out with and one who lived his life to the fullest. The laughs and conversations with him are always remembered.
May all find comfort in this difficult time. God bless you and know we look to the day we all meet again.
Rich, may you have fair skies and tailwinds and may your soul rest in peace.

What an amazing man Rich was. He was so humble, humorous, and caring. Knowing Rich was a joyful seven years filled with Cars & Coffee, talks about motorcycles, our work layovers and sometimes airplanes (those fun private ones).

I feel truly blessed to have known him and to have shared time with him in this fleeting life. My heart goes out to Maria and the entire family.

With heartfelt sympathy,
Will & Avril Chase

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 (NKJV) 🙏

My deepest condolences to the entire family. I never had the chance to meet you, but Richard and I were friends in college at Wright State University. He was a good friend and even better man. We shared many good times together and created memories I will always cherish.

Stanley Broerman

My deepest condolences to the entire family. I never had the chance to meet you, but Richard and I were friends in college at Wright State University. He was a good friend and even better man. We shared many good times together and created memories I will always cherish.

A dear friend gone too soon. My deepest condolences to family and friends at a time when words are insufficient. His life touched our soul.

On behalf of the membership of International Aviation Professionals, Teamsters Local 2750, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Captain Wartenberg’s family, friends, and loved ones. May your memories burn brightly in your hearts and minds.

Maria, you and your family have my condolences for your loss. Please know that Richard is with the Lord and enjoying unconditional Love from our creator. In my absence at his services, please know I will be praying for you during your time of need.

Jerry Kimmet

I have known Rich for 24 years and he is one of those FOREVER friends that you seldom have. He was always a man or his word and endless support.. He was huge force in supporting me in my journey to being a pilot. I can never thank him enough! I only I was as good a brother to him as he was to me! We will meet again Moe! I offer my deepest condolences to Maria, Izzy & Christian. Eric McKenna.

I have no other words that I can explain, Richard was my friend, mentor, my brother & most importantly my hero!! I was very actively involved with the Porsche Club over 20 years ago, hence how and why I met Richard Wartenburgh. It was through the cultivation of Porsche related club events that drew our friendship together. I was at the age of 26 years old when I begun to take my first flying lesson and at some Porsche related event I told Richard that I was going to pursuit my passion for flying. He fully supported my interest and commitment and reinforced to me that if I ever had any questions or concerns about flying that he would be there for me and be there to support me about my newly beloved interest/hobby. I’ve got many stories to say about Richard but the one that I believe that really stood out to me above the rest was when I got a call from him back in I believe was 2008. I remember because the economy crashed and the economic housing crisis happened. Richard was stationed in Ramstein, Germany at the Air Force base there. Richard somehow while he was stationed there came to know and pulled the right strings to locate and allocate & order very special car from Porsche. It was either a 2007 or 2008 (I don’t quite remember) Porsche 911 GT3RS. So Richard had the idea that if he was able to allocate this car, if he had the right financial backing he could buy, flip and sell this car for profit. Richard was able to find a financial backer and Richard & the other party would flip this car for profit. Everything was aligning perfectly until the economic housing recession collapsed! Richard and his financial backer from what I remember were sweating bullets. What have they’d done??!!! Purchased this amazing car from Porsche and it had arrived then the housing crisis hit! Richard thought he was stuck with it! & him and Maria were not sure exactly what to do? Richard was a man of faith. Richard believed and trusted in God. The scriptures in Romans 8:28 tells us that; “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”. So the day came, God had a plan and even though there was an economic recession going on and people were panicking, Richard was able to allocate a buyer out of New York for the car. So the Porsche was located in Dayton and needed to be transported to Richard’s home in Independence, KY before the car would be shipped to New York. I was currently involved in transporting some antique collector cars for a collector out of Dayton who Richard was very acquainted with. Richard thought that if I was good enough to transport cars for this particular gentleman that I would be good enough to transport his beloved Porsche to his home in Independence, KY. So Richard gives me the job. I deliver his car to his home, Richard asked if I would like to stay for a bit. Now mind you, I’m currently a private pilot working on my instrument rating at this point. Richard takes me in his what I call “trophy room”. He has all the models of the airplanes he’s flown in the Air Force and his commercial airline career, His squadron suit and helmet & shows me the accolades he’s achieved over the years. I stood just in awwhhh!!! How he opened up his home and showed me a part of his life, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! I stood in the presence of someone I really admired and who I wanted to one day become! That was really the pivotal moment where our relationship began to change. From that point on, I began to give Richard updates about my flying and the license’s & ratings I would begin to achieve. Richard was always supportive! I will ever be greatful for that! Since that time we’ve went to numerous restaurants, bars and even gun ranges where would meet, discuss life events, cars, talk philanthropy and what beers we liked 😂. We even got to go on some epic drives together in our cherished cars. Richard always believed cars were meant to be driven and not to sit around and collect dust.
I remembered even when I beginning to contemplate marriage & I really validated Richard’s feelings and opinions on the girl who I was going to chose my hand in marriage! Like I said, he was my friend, mentor & brother! I never had any sisters or brothers growing up. Richard was one of those true important people in your life. If Richard ever sliced out time in his day to make time for you, that was truly a momentous occasion! With work, his family and extra curricular activities, Richard lived a very busy life. If he carved out any of his day for you, it was truly special! I wish I could have more of those moments with him but I’ll cherish and bury those special moments in my heart. I can’t wait for the day when my children become old enough to tell them the stories and share about Richard Wartenburgh’s life and a little bit about the legacy that he left behind. I can’t wait to tell my two little girls that when they grow up to find and become of age to settle down and have children of their own to find men of courage, strength, honor and faith like Richard!!
From our deepest condolences to Maria, Izzy & Christian
The Pohlman family,
Andy, Shireema, Monaco & Atara

It truly is a small world. Rich and I were hired about the same time and met by chance many years ago on a cold night in Cologne. Within a few minutes we hugged and laughed at our encounter. We grew up in the same small town, went to the same schools, had the same teachers. We immediately became “old friends “.

Whether it was meeting across the globe or in the middle of the night in operations Rich always raised the group IQ and brightened the room. He was a rare combination of quiet confidence, an outstanding aviator, and a gem of a human being.

After my retirement Rich continued to text just to “catch up”. I was so happy to receive the photo of him, Izzy, and Christian by the waterfall in Hawaii. May you all cherish the memories you made together that week.

Rich touched many lives at UPS. He was admired, respected, and welcomed….by all. It was truly an honor to have him call me friend.

May God uplift you all during this difficult time and sustain you in the days to come.

Until our paths cross again, my friend…….blue skies and tailwinds.

D Conn
UPS MD11 Capt, Retired

Please accept my heartfelt deepest sympathy and condolences for the tragic loss of your beloved husband and father. Rich was our brother at UPS and will be sorely missed.
May you all find peace in his memory.

Ron Paterson
UPS 767 Captain

Izzy and Christian, I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear father. I hope that your precious memories of him, and your faith, will help you to heal and find peace. Your family is in my prayers.
Mrs. B
Chris Battaglia

Sending you our prayers and condolences as you grieve and remember Rich.

Jim and Danna Arnett
Captain, UPS Airlines

Richard and I flew together at UPS several times. Since then, he always stopped to say “hi” to me as if we were long term friends. He included everyone in his circle of colleagues. I will miss him. My sincere condolences to all of Richard’s family and friends.

I always smiled when I got to see Rich in ops at UPS. We had flown together on a few occasions and gotten to know each other hanging out at 3am in Louisville. He always had great questions and took conversations seriously. He had a smile that would light up the room. Rich would entertain all my questions about Porsches and driving. He was an outstanding aviator and a better friend. Rich will be missed by everyone that knew him. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss but I know we will all get to see him again.

I was in UPT 95-14 with Rich at Vance AFB. I had the good fortune of spending just a little time with Rich. The short time spent with him enriched my life. It was with great sadness I learned of his passing. It was apparent during our time together that Rich was gentle, caring, highly intelligent, and the real deal; a true gem of a human. I express my deepest condolences to his family, and all that knew and loved Rich. My prayers are with you. May God lift you up in this difficult time.

Having flown the MD-11 for nearly a decade, I was fortunate enough to fly with Rich several times. His conversation was always interesting and made the miles fly by. I last ran into Rich a few months ago while at the same airport and I was so happy that I was able to catch up with him after a few years. Anyone who knew Richard was fortunate to spend time with him and all who did walked away with a smile on their face.

Your family and loved ones are in my thoughts, may his well-lived life bring you peace.

Brad Strain
UPS 767 Captain

Dear Wartenberg Family,

I would like to extend my deepest condolences for the tragic loss of your beloved Rich. Having shared the cockpit at UPS with him on many occasions, I had the privilege to witness firsthand his unwavering professionalism and exceptional skill as an aviator. His love for his family was undeniable and profound.

While Rich may no longer be with us physically, his spirit lives on through the cherished memories we hold close and the wisdom he imparted to those fortunate enough to have known him. May you find solace in the knowledge that Rich is now in heaven, watching over us all.

Marcelo Gonzalez
UPS MD11 Capt