R.I. "Dick" Whiteside

R.I. "Dick" Whiteside, of Biloxi, passed away on November 1, 2020 at the age of 83.

Dick was a retired educator. He served in the U. S. Army for twenty two years, including four deployments with Special Forces' Green Berets in Viet Nam. While in the Army, Whiteside served in Europe and South America, commanded companies of the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS and taught counter-guerrilla warfare at Fort Benning, GA. He opened and operated the first refugee center in Thailand after the fall of Viet Nam and served with the Joint Casualty Resolution Center seeking MIA's in South-East Asia. Serving as a private, Dick worked his way up through the ranks, received a direct commission and retired as a Major. His numerous decorations include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, Air Medal of Valor, two Joint Service Commendations, the Army Commendation with V devise and 3 oak leaf clusters, and Master Parachutists Badge.

Dick had earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Business, a Master’s Degree in Business (MBA) and had completed additional advanced studies in Economics and Accounting. After leaving the military, he taught at the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, before taking early medical retirement. A charter member and elder of the Wounded Warrior Gourd Clan, Dick served as the Gulf Coast area representative for the Louisiana Indian Heritage Association, Secretary to the Keesler Air Force Base Native American Committee and Treasurer of the Gulf Coast Native American Association. Active with youth groups, he was a member of the American Indian Scouting Association and holds the Vigil Honor as Advisor to the Order of the Arrow. A Native American traditional dancer for more than fifty years as well as a Gourd Dancer, Whiteside was active in Native American pow wow gatherings across the south. His expertise in Native American Ethnology and skill as a traditional storyteller made him the frequent keynote speaker on Native American affairs (Stennis Space Center, Pascagoula Naval Station, U. S. Forestry, etc.). Whiteside was happily married to Sandra; and had one daughter, Melanie Joy (Chuck) Davis; and two grandchildren, Nathan and Jonathan Davis.

Whiteside will be laid to rest with military honors in a private ceremony at Biloxi National Cemetery.