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David Tallichet Obituary

Founder of Specialty Restaurants Corporation 20 December 1922-31 October 2007 Born in Dallas, Texas, to David Compton Tallichet Sr. and Margaret Tallichet. After completing high school, he studied at the University of the South, University of Texas, and Southern Methodist University. With America's entry into the Second World War, David signed up for military service. Pursuing his love for aviation, David joined the United States Army Air Force and was accepted for flight school where he successfully completed advanced flight training and was assigned to training on the four-engine Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. He was then assigned to a crew and they flew a B-17 from the United States to Britain. Once in Britain, he and his crew became part of the 350th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, based at Thorpe Abbot. From this location, David and his crew flew 23 combat missions before the collapse of Germany and V-E Day. David was offered a position during 1948 with the Hilton Hotels Corporation which he accepted. During 1955, David took the position of General Manager of the Lafayette Hotel which was located in Long Beach, California, and owned by Conrad Hilton. This would lead to a further career move that saw David and two partners obtain a lease with the Port of Long Beach and the opening of The Reef Restaurant during 1958. The opening of the Reef Restaurant was a pivotal point for David's Specialty Restaurants Corporation which would go on to encompass over 100 successful restaurants located across the nation. He is generally credited with being one of the industry's true theme-restaurant pioneers; with such ventures as the Sunbird, Pieces of Eight, Shanghai Red's, Ports O' Call, Proud Bird, Castaway, 94th Aero Squadron, Crawdaddy's, Baby Does Matchless Mine. In the late 1960s David decided to begin collecting and restoring WWII aircraft to flying condition. He soon would develop the world's largest collection of privately-owned flying WWII aircraft. David was often called upon to provide historic aircraft for films. He was able to fly his B-17 across the Atlantic to Britain to take part in 1990's Memphis Belle. This past July, David took his Flying Fortress to an airshow in Michigan where he was honored as the last WWII combat pilot still flying one of these very rare aircraft. David Tallichet is survived and loved by his wife Carol Margaret Tallichet of Orange, California; daughter Catherine Ann of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; sons William Robert (Wife Jasmin: children Ashley and Catherine) of San Pedro, California; John David (Wife Karen: children Bryan and Lauren) of Newport Beach, California; and James Lee of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Nov. 7, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for David Tallichet

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Bill Takahashi

January 11, 2021

Thank you for the nice memories of snow skying in Aspen.I won't forget the great conversations we shared about everything from war birds to running resturants.Goodbye my friend,you will never be forgotten.

Eddy Hernandez

August 15, 2020

Worked at 94th aero in nj great times and got to make his favorite drink-margarita with fresh squeezed lime juice

scotty larimer

February 5, 2020

to say I happy to know him and I got to see some his plane and I like his B-24 and B-24

Linda Davis Podvin

February 1, 2020

David,
I didn't know you but enjoyed reading your life story about you saving WWII aircraft. My dad flew the B-28 superfortress & he was fortunate that peace was declared 2 days before his birthday & didn't have to go overseas. He passed away in 1992. Maybe you have gotten to know him & his crew in Air Force Heaven.
Linda Davis Podvin

Dana Miller Wade

November 20, 2007

I was saddened to hear of Mr. Tallichet's death. Although I haven't seen him or his family for many years, I have such fond memories of many wonderful times spent with his family. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

Branson Rutherford

November 19, 2007

My condolences to the entire family. I worked on restoring his A-26 aircraft at the Historical Aircraft Squadron in Lancaster, OH. Mr. Tallichet passing is definitely a loss to all who love the war birds.

Alexander Pollock

November 19, 2007

What a wonderful person; so enjoyable to be with, and admired. I am sure his devotion to historic aviation was appreciated by all Americans who knew this special aviator. While visiting the Lansdowne his love of butter always made me giggle. He will be sorely missed.

Fred and Skip Wagner

November 18, 2007

Condolences from a fellow WWII Vet. 8th Airforce, 351st Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. You will be sadly missed by all.

Jack Kaufman

November 15, 2007

David and I had many differences but we ended up friends. I worked with him on some developments in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Rebecca Crosby Hutchinson

November 12, 2007

So sorry to hear of Dave's death. He served with my Dad, Harry Crosby, with the 100th Bomb Group during the war. Through his wonderful efforts to honor the 100th at the Cleveland restaurant, I met Dave and Carol. I am especially grateful that he made it possible for me to get inside a B-17, bringing me that much closer to my Dad's wartime experiences.

Col. Paul Seymour, USAF (Ret)

November 10, 2007

I was deeply saddened to learn of Dave Tallichet’s death. I had known and admired him for over 50 years, having worked for him as lifeguard, storeroom clerk, and parking assistant at the Lafayette Hotel in Long Beach in the early 1950’s. My wife, Mary Kay, and I kept in touch with Mr. Tallichet over the years, and enjoyed many pleasant visits over lunch in one or another of his wonderful restaurants in my home town of Long Beach. He was always interested in following my 24 years as a fighter pilot in the Air Force, and my last contact with him was in the early 1980’s when we discussed getting an old F-86 aircraft into the U.S. from a Latin American country. He and I reveled in telling “old war stories” of aerial combat, and I always admired his great love of aviation and our venerable old “war birds”. I considered him a kind and generous friend. Our deepest sympathies to his entire family. We will forever keep him in our thoughts and prayers. “Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O Lord!”

Ray Kosmeder

November 8, 2007

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I was lucky enough to have met Mr. Tallichet about 2 years ago.My mother-in-law Dorothy Cash has worked for the company about 30 years. Mr. Tallichet invited us to dinner that one night when he was in town for an airshow. He was great host. Made me feel like I knew him for years. He was a great man. Your family will be in my prays.

Linda Josey

November 8, 2007

I worked at SRC in 1985-86 in the company's Mall Entertainment Division. I appreciated the opportunity to work for this unique company for my first office job at 18 years of age.

I only interacted with Mr. Tallichet once, and I was terrified. I had heard you'd better know your stuff when talking to him--he expected nothing less. After I presented the information he needed in order to sign-off on something, he paid me a compliment about my professionalism. That meant a great deal to me, and I never forgot it.

My sincere condolences.

Rich Bickler

November 8, 2007

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I always admired Mr. Tallichet's accomplishments. An amazing person, who's legacy will be remembered for many years to come. On behalf of myself and my family, we offer our deepest sympathies to the Tallichet Family and extended Family. Our prayers are with you.

Frank Kittinger, Ed.D.

November 7, 2007

My sincere condolances to the family and friends of David C. Tallichet Jr. Although we did not meet, I feel a kinship to him since I too was a
WW II B-17 pilot.
May he rest in peace.

Stephen Dinneen

November 7, 2007

David has earned the respect and admiration of many throughout his life; and, especially myself and my partner who were the beneficiaries of David's business forsight.

GENE HAAS

November 7, 2007

I DIDN'T KNOW DAVID TALLICHET, BUT HAVING READ HIS BIO, I'M SINCERELY IMPRESSED WITH HIS LIFE STORY. HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY IN THE TIME OF NEED HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED. HIS SUCCESS IN BUSINESS IS A MATTER OF RECORD. I ONLY WISH I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MET HIM, AND SHARE OUR INTERESTS IN LIFE. MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY. HIS MEMORIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS WILL LAST FOREVER.

Patricia Sheldon

November 7, 2007

My condolances to the entire family.
Mention of the Reef brought back may happy memories of Long Beach, the restaurants and Dave!
He will be missed.

Craig Langworthy

November 7, 2007

A great loss to his family,friends and those who worked for him. I credit David having mentored my years at SRC. I carry many fond memories of him and have thought of him often.
My thoughts to his wife and children.

Sandra Cariker

November 7, 2007

So sorry for your loss. Was Mr. Tallichet related to the Margaret Tallichet who married movie director William (Willy) Wyler?

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