I assume by now, most have heard that Richard passed away last weekend.  Services are going to be in Kingwood, Texas on April 10th.

I met Richard at the 1964 Nats.  He beat me, of course.  We've had some good matches and good times over the years.  He was my favorite guy to fly against in combat.  We'll sure miss him. 

  I never flew combat competitively, but always read the combat columns in the magazines and articles for the models because "you never know", I might wanna try it some day. Rich Stubblefield is another significant name in the hobby I am familiar with form reading the magazines. I used to help Gary Frost practice sometimes and helped him put on a few contests years ago and the Stubblefield name came up often in discussions and story telling. I just don't think I ever got to witness and matches with him in them.
   My condolences to his family and closest friends,
  Dan McEntee

I am sorry to hear that. Met him flying combat at the King Orange contest back in '84. Those Texas fellas were excellent flyers.

    So sorry to hear about Richard's passing.  I always thought of him as the best combat flier there was when I flew mostly combat in the 1970's and 1980's. At the 1983 NATS in Chicopee, MA. I was doing pretty good in Fast Combat ( won my first two matches ) and then found out that I had to fly Stubby first match Saturday morning. I was rooming with Steve Kott and Pete Athans and they told me that I needed to beat him so the rest of us had a chance to get to the final. Steve and Pete were pitting for me and got me up first. Shortly after our match started I got very aggressive and managed to get the kill. I felt bad about this because I took part of Richard's elevator along with the string and the streamer. I even went over to him after the match and told him I was sorry that I hit his airplane. I don't remember anything he said and I think we shook hands and that was that. Phil Cartier won Fast that year; Steve Kott was third and I ended up Fifth.
   I have a picture of Richard dancing with my wife Priscilla at the Banquet at the 1984 World Championships In Chicopee, MA. I'll have to get that one out again.
   My condolences go out to Richard's family and his many friends. He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him. Rest in peace, my friend.

         Dick Tyndall

I was a fairly good combat flier back in the late 60's. My memories of the Stubblefields (weren't there three of them?) was that your highest possible finish depended on how many of them showed up!   In the two contests I flew against them I think I had under a minute of airtime.  Then I moved to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech...... RIP, another legend has passed.

Ken

Stubb was a legend around these parts.Unbelievable flier.Tough as nails.