Richard J. Tinneny is the son of John P. Tinneny and Helen M. Diamond of Philadelphia.  He entered the United States Air Force in 1960 and during his 28 1/2 year military career served in a variety of positions ranging from law enforcement to senior management.  During that time he rose to the highest enlist rank, Chief Master Sergeant.  He had the distinction of being selected one of the 12 Oustanding Airmen of the United States Air Force in 1981 while serving in a police unit at Zweibrucken Air Base Germany.