Col. (Ret) Richard “Dick” MacLeod peacefully passed away, supported by his daughter, son, and their spouses, on 13 May 2026 at the age of 89. A proud resident and community leader in Colorado Springs for the last 46 years, he leaves a legacy of building cooperative trusts and bridging local, county, state, and international groups (23 nations) with an emphasis on the benefits of Space and American Founding Fathers’ conservative values (Republican County Co-Chair).
Born in the Boston suburbs, Dick was the 2nd youngest of 7 children. His main passions included drumming in the Fife and Drum Corps, honing his leadership and marksmanship in the Boy Scouts (highlighted by traveling solo to Philmont, NM, via train), being a varsity swimmer, and editor-in-chief of several school papers and yearbooks. He held numerous jobs to pay for his adventures and trips, and thus taught his kids the importance of budgeting, self-reliance, perseverance, and integrity through his life examples.
He utilized these skills to lead over 50 organizations, highlighted by being the youngest Chief of Staff of NORAD, a Founder of Space Command, President of the US Space Foundation, and on three Presidential Space Advisory Councils or Committees.
Col. MacLeod will be remembered as a hard charging leader, mentor, father, and leaving a legacy of bringing people together focusing on what they have in common versus their differences.
Dick is survived by his daughter, Kim; son, Alec; multiple nieces and nephews, 4 grandsons, and 1 great-granddaughter.
Visitation (1pm), Funeral (2pm), and Interment (~3pm) took place at the Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Donations in lieu of flowers would be appreciated for the American Stroke Foundation, Dementia Society of America, and Alzheimer’s Association.
