BY JOURNAL STAFF
Idaho State University graduate and retired U.S. Army Gen. Richard B. Griffits, 83, of Trinity, Fla., died Feb. 12, 2013. Born in Nampa, Griffitsreceived his bachelor’s degree from ISU and went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism from Shippensburg State College in Pennsylvania.
Griffits’ military education included basic and advanced armor officers classes,U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army War College and the General Officers’ Capstone.
Prior to his retirement in 1995, Griffits served in command staff positions in the U.S., Vietnam, Germany and the Netherlands. He was awarded Silver and Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He isthe recipient of numerous foreign awards including the Honor Medal in Silver from the Federal Republic of Germany.
After leaving active military service, he joinedMilitary Professional Resources, Inc. (MPRI) as program Manager of the Democracy Transition Assistance program in Zagreb, Croatia. In 1998, he was selected to direct a new program of Stabilization and Deterrence in theRepublic of Macedonia.
In 2001, he moved to Florida where he was very involved in community affairs, serving on the boards of the Pasco County Animal Control Advisory Committee and Operation Home Front Florida and as president of the Hampton Cove Homeowners Association.