Dr. Richard "Rich" Bryan Mulanax (USAF Major Ret.) passed away unexpectedly on November 30th , 2023 in Civitavecchia, Italy, at the age of 75, immediately following a much-enjoyed Mediterranean Cruise.

He was born in Pasadena, California and took great pride in singing the Beach Boys song about one of his favorite cities any time he was given the opportunity.

Rich grew up as an "Air Force brat" and traveled the world, starting at a young age. He was a graduate of Kaiserslautern American High School where he developed a love of learning (and teaching), that lasted a lifetime.

He studied political science at George Washington University but moved to California after his freshman year and graduated from the University of California Riverside with honors. While in California (which he always considered home), he joined Civil Air Patrol, and was a 50-year member. Rich started Law School at UCLA but decided that being a lawyer just wasn't for him, so he earned his MA in African Area Studies from UCLA in 1972.

Rich served in the US Air Force for 20 years, his final assignments were as an Assistant Professor of History at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado and Chief of the Africa Branch at the USAF Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field, which prepared him for his transition to academia and his teaching career.

He also served as USAF Project Officer for five CAP Oklahoma Wing and Texas Wing Cadet Encampments at Sheppard AFB, and USAF Base Project Officer for CAP at Sheppard AFB, Texas and Zweibruecken AFB, Germany.

While stationed at Sheppard AFB, he met a USAF nurse, Jacqueline "Jackie" Reade Mulanax, and they were married five months after they met. Their daughter Jennifer "Jenny" "Pumpkin" Mulanax was born at Incirlik AFB in Turkey and their son Sean "Tiger" Mulanax was born at Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany. His wife, friends, and children knew him as an organizer, sci-fi aficionado, and walking encyclopedia. He earned an additional Masters of Public Administration and a Masters of Science in International Relations from Troy University and a PhD in American Diplomatic History from Florida State University. In 1995, he began teaching at Indian River State College, and retired as a Professor in 2015.

Rich was dedicated to the service of his country. During his career and after retirement, he consistently served the Civil Air Patrol, where he earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was National Historian Emeritus. He received awards that are too numerous to list.

Rich is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jackie, son Sean, daughter Jennifer, granddaughter Anastasia Trotter, grandsons Alexander Trotter and Reid Mulanax, brothers Aurthur Mulanax, Jr and Michael Mulanax, his West Highland White Terrier Fiona and Scottish Fold cat Haggis.

If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you do so through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, the USO, or the LCMS Military Chaplin's ministry.

Services will be held December 27th at 2:00 pm at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. The family will receive friends with a reception following services at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will take place at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 11:00 am on December 28th .

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Rich's memorial page at www.coxgiffordsseawinds.com.