Obituary of Sgt. Richard C. Ensminger

Sgt. Richard Charles Ensminger, age 62, of Niley Cook Road, Blowing Rock, died Friday, July 31, 2009 at the VA Medical Center in Asheville. Richard was born September 20, 1946 at Saint Mary's Hospital in Miami Beach, Florida. During his seven years of military service, Sgt. Ensminger was a highly decorated Veteran who served a total of four tours of duty in Vietnam. He was the recipient of three purple hearts, the Bronze Star with Valor, the Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Bronze Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a rifle sharp shooter and pistol expert. Sgt. Ensminger was a life member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Military order of the Purple Heart, and the Disabled American Veterans. During his tour of duty, he was involved in the Santo Dominican Crisis as well as serving with the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines and the 3rd Battalion of the 5th Marines. He once said that his best honor was when he served in the White House under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Sgt. Ensminger served in Watauga County as commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 of Boone. In 1981 he was awarded the N.C. Governor's Volunteer Award as a Disabled Person Volunteer. Over the years in Boone, he was involved with the Cub and Boy Scouts, the Special Olympic, and many other service organizations. He was always proud that he served his country. Richard loved to help other vets and get their benefits and transport veterans to and from the hospitals. He was also very active in the Watauga REACT team in the 1970's. Sgt. Ensminger, having served faithfully and honorably, was retired from the United States Marine Corps in March 1, 1970. Survivors include; his wife, Nancy Love Ensminger; one daughter, Nannette Amelia Lennitt and her twins, Evan Howard and Rebecca Mae Lennitt, of Fort Pierce, Florida; one son, Franklin Howard Ensminger, of Marianna, Florida, and his two sons, Preston York of Greensboro and Dale Charles Ensminger of Lenoir, and a foster son, Terry Main of Blowing Rock; two brothers, M. R. Mack DDS of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Terry McQuiston and wife Barbara and their son, Kyle, of Alpharetta, Georgia; his step-mother, Christine Ensminger, of Eastman, Georgia; two half-sisters, Dottie Ann Rodes and son Mike, of Hampton, Virginia, and Jan Kuligowski and husband Al, of Cochran, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty White McQuisten, his father, Francis Leon Ensminger, his step-father, Mack McQuisten, and his father and mother-in-law, Franklin Howard and Addie Mae Love. Military graveside rites will be conducted Saturday morning, August l5, 2009, at 11 o'clock at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Burl Greer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 90, Post Office Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ensminger family.