Colonel Richard W. Prendergast, Jr., age 88, of Munster, IN passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Arlene (nee Chrapla) Prendergast; children, Richard W. Prendergast, III and Michelle Dekker, Patrick and Christine Prendergast; Catherine (Duane) Lyons, Jr. and Karen Prendergast-Markos; grandchildren, Katelyn Dekker, Erin Lyons, Scott Lyons, Matt Lebran and Jack Markos; brother; Robert (Eileen) Prendergast of NM; sister-in-law, Patricia (Benny) Puntillo; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard W. Prendergast, Sr. and Adaline (nee Nixon) Prendergast; and grandson, Rick (Richard W. Prendergast, IV) Prendergast.A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2018 DIRECTLY at St. John Catholic Church 301 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Glenwood, IL. Interment will be private with Military Honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Elwood, IL. Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at KISH FUNERAL HOME 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again on Thursday, at the church, from 11:30 a.m. until the 12:00 p.m. Mass.Colonel Richard W. Prendergast, Jr. graduated from Leo High School 1948 and Purdue University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Army where his education continued: OCS 1953, Field Artillery Officer 1960, Field Artillery Advanced 1966, Command and General Staff College 1966, Special Warfare School, Vietnamese Defense Language Institute 1967, Artillery School, Nuclear Weapon Employment 1969, Army War College 1977 while he was stationed throughout the country including Fort Sill, OK, Fort Bliss, TX and Fort Carson, CO. Colonel Richard W. Prendergast, Jr. was a Vietnam Veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1983 and was Decorated: National Defense Services Medal, Armed Forces Reserved Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Five Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Combat Infantryman Badge, Staff Service Honor Medal 1st Class, Air Medal for Heroism with Five Oak Leaf Clusters, Three Legion of Merit, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Armor Badge and Air Crewman Badge. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1198, West Suburban (Chicago) Chapter Military Officers of America, Veterans of Foreign War Post 2791 Tinley Park, IL and Local 21 Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.Upon leaving Active Military Duty, Colonel Prendergast served as a Hospital Administrator at Oak Forest Hospital, Oak Forest, IL followed by serving as Hospital Administrator at St. James Hospital, Chicago, Heights, IL. He was an avid and devoted golfer and life-long member on the USGA. Richard loved cheering on the Fighting Irish and spending time with his family, especially cherishing the time with his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Richard’s name to Vietnam Veterans of America or the Wounded Warrior Project. www.kishfuneralhome.net