IN MEMORIAM – RICHARD C. WHITING, 1940-2026
September 29, 2026
IN MEMORIAM – RICHARD C. WHITING, 1940-2026✟.
The CMP mourns the death of Richard C (Dick) Whiting who passed away at the age of 85 on 23 September 2026 at his home in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Dick Whiting served in the U. S. Army. His subsequent adult life was dedicated to serving the shooting sports in myriad ways. He was as an active Highpower Service Rifle competitor. He earned the prestigious Distinguished Rifleman Badge in 1976 and placed in the President’s 100 four times. He was a member of two winning Soldier of Marathon Trophy Teams in the National Trophy Rifle Team Match and a member of one Oglethorpe Trophy Team in the National Trophy Pistol Team Match. He was awarded eight Elihu Root Medals for earning places on National Civilian Rifle Teams.
Dick worked as a member of the NRA Staff in Washington DC for several years; a notable work there was his authorship of the original edition of the NRA Range Source Guide. He subsequently became a leader in promoting Highpower Rifle and Junior marksmanship, especially in his adopted state of West Virginia. Dick was influential in developing West Virginia’s White Horse Range in cooperation with the state government; his leadership gave West Virginia a large highpower range that extended to 600 and 1000 yards. Dick served as the CMP State Director in West Virginia from 1999 until his death. He was the organizer and leader of the West Virginia Junior Marksmanship Program that provided rifles, coaching and annual trips to the National Matches for many Junior Service Rifle competitors.
Dick Whiting contributed to the CMP competitions program in many invaluable ways. He was a Chief Range Officer during many CMP Competition Games. He taught numerous new shooter clinics. He actively supported the development of CMP National Matches administration. CMP Programs Chief Christie Sewell, who worked closely with Dick, wrote this special tribute to him:
“Dick Whiting worked a lot of long hours during the National Matches. He called matches during the day and then spent his evenings helping with the WV juniors. His commitment to junior shooters was especially important to him, and he gave so much of his time to helping the next generation of competitors. But more than anything Dick did for CMP, he was our friend. He truly cared about CMP’s mission, but he also cared deeply about the people here. He considered the CMP staff his family, and we felt the same way about him. Dick was one of us. He helped shape our matches, supported our juniors, shared his knowledge freely and was always there when we needed him. His contributions to CMP went far beyond the hours he spent on the range, and I know many of us have felt and will feel his absence for a very long time.”
The CMP extends its sincere condolences to Dick Whiting’s family and to his many friends in all parts of the USA. The CMP offers its heartfelt thank you for Dick Whiting’s life and how it significantly benefitted the shooting sports and junior shooting in America.
It was an honor to have known Mr Whiting at CMP events.
I shot with Dick at Ft. Meade in the 70s & 80s. We were good friends on and off the range. When we saw each other at the matches we would just gravitate towards each other and catch up on whatevers and just have a good time. He will be sorely missed by me and all that knew Dick. May he be at the big range in the sky forever!
Carl Leisinger, former Capt.NJHP rifle team.