Clancy Rich (photo by Jeannine Lintner). Fighter pilot alum recalls 32-year naval career by Evelyn Boswell Clancy Rich, '43 EE, dodged tornado after tornado when he and his wife, Ann, drove up from Florida to attend his 60th reunion at Montana State University in May. Watching television at night and seeing the devastation they missed during the day wasn't the most relaxing way to travel. But somehow, it seemed fitting for a man who served in three wars without injury. "I got shot up, but never got shot down," 82-year-old Rich said about his 32 years in the Navy. A fighter pilot who served in 12 different squadrons from the decks of more than 20 carriers, Rich served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. Before retiring in 1974, he saw action in New Guinea, Guam, Saipan, Iwo Jima, the Philippines, Southeast Asia and other locations. He served in the same fleet as former president George Bush. "We had a lot in common," said Rich who volunteered to return to active duty when Bush was commander in chief during the first Gulf War. Seventy-two years old at the time, Rich was turned down. He has had several civilian careers since the military, however. He returned for a brief time to the family ranch near Sand Springs in Eastern Montana. He worked on former Congressman Ron Marlenee's campaign and served as Marlenee's legislative assistant. He later ran an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate, worked as under sheriff of Garfield County, Mont., and earned his living as a property appraiser. Retired now from civilian work, Rich is still flying and serving. During the seven months out of the year he lives in Florida, he flies as an observer on a search and rescue team that patrols the coast of Florida. He also belongs to nine volunteer organizations. "These things keep me alert and thinking," Rich remarked. Rich lives the other five months of the year in Eastern Montana where he works as a "standby cowboy." He digs post holes, repairs fences and does other work on a small acreage where he keeps his saddle horses. Heading to the ranch after his reunion, Rich said he prefers Montana over other spots he has seen. "There's just something about it," he said. Relating his tornado-skirting trip back to Montana, Rich told about stopping overnight at Rapid City and hearing his first meadowlark of the trip. "That kind of told me why I come back," he said. "That's just one of many things."