Obituary: Richard (Dick) Irvin Born

Richard (Dick) Irvin Born, 99, died Jan. 13, 2021. He was born in Boston, Mass., and raised in New Haven, Conn. He met his wife Sylvia at the University of Georgia in 1938, and after graduation in 1942, they were married and lived happily until Sylvia’s passing in 2011.

Richard attended Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga., received commission as 2nd lieutenant (infantry) and was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 serving in the 9th Air Force. As a lead flight navigator for a B-26 Marauder, he flew 23 combat bombing missions over Nazi Germany air space from a makeshift air base in northern France. He was a member of the World War II Round Table group and his stories are documented in The National WWII Museum and the Atlanta History Center museum, among others.

After the war he owned Atlanta Sandwich Company on Ponce de Leon Avenue, servicing schools, factories and mills, and then was self-employed as a candy broker until his retirement. The game of golf was his passion and he hit five holes in one on three different courses (five different holes), with the most recent one at age 90. He was an extraordinarily successful card player and looked forward to sitting down with his friends to play gin rummy as often as possible.

Proud of his driving skills and independence, he loved to schmooze and visit with his friends at Goldbergs Deli on Roswell Road, where he could be found most days for lunch. His love for the staff and friends he made there and also at Houston’s restaurant on Northside Parkway were definitely the highlight of his daily rounds. He was treated like royalty everywhere he went and loved to tell stories to the friends he made.

He was musically gifted and enjoyed singing and playing the harmonica, entertaining friends and family with their song requests of old standards, show tunes and classical music. He could play by ear, so once he heard a tune, he could play it. He had an impeccable sense of style and fashion, and his sense of humor was forever present in his delivery of a good joke.

He leaves behind his children Mark (Robin) Born of Nashville and Lori (Lee) Krinsky of Atlanta; grandchildren Jon (Stella) Born of Manhattan, N.Y., Ryan (Lauren) Born of Los Angeles, and Melissa Krinsky (Jamie Prince) of Atlanta; his great-grandchildren Grayson Born of Manhattan and Eden Born of Los Angeles.

We are thankful to the many special friends who touched his life and were touched by him. You all know who you are. He lived a wonderful life and we will miss him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. The funeral was Jan. 15 at Arlington Cemetery. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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