Death of a Classmate Captain William (Bill) Hargrave, Jr. USN

William Walter Hargrave, Jr. (November 16, 1931 - January 26, 2023) On January 26, 2023, Captain William (Bill) W. Hargrave Jr. USN (retired), beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed peacefully in the night in Virginia Beach, VA at the age of 91 years. He was born on Nov. 16, 1931 and raised by the late Dr. William W. Hargrave, Commodore (USN Medial Corp 1913-1949), and Harriett Whaley Hargrave. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Cheron B. Hargrave, daughter of the late Rear Admiral Joseph Dean Black (USN 1931-1965) and Jane Morris Black. Bill was raised on numerous Navy hospital compounds his father had duty at or commanded including, Aiea Heights Naval Hospital in Hawaii during World War II, and Portsmouth Naval Hospital, VA., the last before his dad’s retirement in 1949 where Bill then attended Severn for high school. He learned from an early age the travels of a Navy family. He began his childhood in the Philippines. His father, Dr. William W. Hargrave, Commodore (USN Medial Corp 1913-1949) had been deployed in 1942 during WWII to Hawaii to oversee the construction and command what would become the largest hospital in the war in the Pacific Theatre. FDR and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz are seen in this PICTURE, with his father seated in front of FDR, visiting for the hospital opening in 1944. Bill attended the United States Naval Academy (USNA). At the Academy, he was an outstanding Lacrosse player and named an All-American selection in 1954 and is included in USNA’s Hall of Fame for Athletics. After graduation from USNA in 1954 and completing flight training at Pensacola, Fla., he was designated a naval aviator in 1955 and flew fighter jets while on active duty. Please read the poem posted, “High Flight” at the end of this obituary. The author puts you in Bill’s cockpit and describes things as he has probably seen them, flying high above the earth and felt he could “Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.” Bill’s been where few others have been and seen, “a hundred things you have not dreamt of.” In 1956, he married Cheron, who was from Coronado, California and also a Navy junior. Both began their marriage together knowing some of the challenges of raising a military family, especially in the Navy. She, earlier, had seen Bill when he was 16 and she was 12. His father was the Commanding Officer (CO) for the Naval Academy Hospital and her dad was serving as Battalion Officer at the Academy. Bill was a lifeguard at the Academy pool. He was 16 and didn’t know her then and for her it was a fleeting crush from afar and forgotten for a few years but as fate had it they met later. As a senior midshipman, he saw Cheron at church with another Academy student who turned out be her brother, Greg Black who was a sophomore attending the Academy. He asked for her phone number…and the rest is history. For the time in-between cruises and during onshore deployments, Bill enjoyed taking the family camping. His deployments were on both coasts so the outdoor experience included the mountains outside of Monterey, California, Northeast of Los Angles in the southern part of Sierra Nevada Mountains, national parks round Albuquerque, New Mexico, National Seashore Park, Cape Hatteras, N.C., and some back lakes in north Maine near border with Quebec where you could hear the loggers speaking French. Lots of sites, fun, and learning experiences. His first assignment out of fight school was as an instructor pilot at NAS Whiting Field, Fla. where he taught basic students to fly the SNF, T-34, and T-28 aircraft. He was then assigned in 1957 to Fighter Squadron VF-103 flying the F-8 Crusader, a single seat jet fighter and made cruises to the Mediterranean Sea in 1958 and 1960. After attending postgraduate school, he made two cruises to the Mediterranean aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal as the ordnance handing officer in 1965 and as assistant navigator in 1966. He then had two combat tours in 1967 and 1968 to Vietnam. He flew F-8 Crusader fighters, first aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19). For his second tour, he reported to fighter squadron VF-191 as Executive Officer (XO) (second command) and deployed aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). In 1969 he transitioned to the F-4 Phantom fighter which had been replacing the F-8 Crusader as Navy’s primary jet fighter. He served as XO and then Commanding Officer (CO) of VF-102 fighter squadron on the USS Independence (CVA-62). His shore duty included attending Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and served 18 months as Battalion Officer in Annapolis, Md. at the U.S. Naval Academy. His additional sea tours were as Assistant Navigator on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59), Executive Officer (XO) of the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62), and as the Chief of Staff for Operations of a battle group. His decorations include 3 individual Air Medals, 12 Strike Flight Air Medals, and 4 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V”. For his final deployment in 1978, Bill assumed command of Training Air Wing One in Meridian, Mississippi, which included three training wings and a naval base. Bill was awarded the Legion of Merit for implementing a computer management information system which provides the Chief of Naval Air Training and his wing commanders with an ongoing analysis of flight instruction effort, identifying eleven cause factors of mission abort, measuring squadron performance, monitoring assets, and forecasting requirements necessary for production of qualified aviators. Upon his retirement in 1980, after 28 years of active duty, Bill and Cheron “retired” to Giles County, Va. to a farm he purchased named Sinking Creek Farm. I was a working farm with 50 cows and 200 sheep. While maintaining work on the farm with his 2 sons and Cheron’s help, Bill held multiple full-time positions of employment, including County Administrator of Giles County, Resource Manager with Virginia Tech’s research park, and later majority owner of a small electrical transformer manufacturer. During this time, he and Cheron had become more involved with their Episcopal Church. They attended a retreat together that reinforced their Christian values, principles, and scriptural understanding. The movement within the church was called Cursillo and purposed to reconnect, usually in prayer, with God. The Cursillo motto of “Make a friend, be a friend, and be a friend to Christ”, This became and has been their shared purpose in which they gave to the community, their friend, relatives and mostly felt by their commitment to their children and grandchildren. After a few years of farming and running the small manufacturing business, he and Cheron retired again to a familiar setting, Annapolis, Md. There they stayed involved with their church, classmates, friends and relatives. Living in Annapolis allowed them access to Navy sports especially lacrosse and their numerous USNA class of 54 reunions. Six years ago, they moved to Atlantic Shores Retirement Community in Virginia Beach to be closer to family. They had time to reflect on their life’s journey and the many experiences and blessings the Lord has provided them and their children. In addition to his precious wife, Cheron, his best friend for life, Bill is survived by; Son, William Walter, III, “Rusty” (Lisa); Son, Daniel Wesley (Kim); Daughter, Leslie Marie Cullinan; Daughter, H. Jane Brianas; eight grandchildren – Rachel, Kelly, Laura, Meredith, Christian, Shelby, Alex, and Ryan. Deceased relatives: Parents; Brother, Louis Hargrave (Sandy); Sisters Grace Cox (Dr. Harry Cox) and Betty Gannon (William Gannon). High Flight By John Gillespie Magee Oh! I have slipped the surly bounds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of, whirled and soared High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew, And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. Friends and relatives are encouraged to leave short stories/memories at this website. A memorial service honoring Bill will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. at Galilee Episcopal Church, 3928 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach, VA. Information for the military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery TBD. Estimated 6 to 8 months. H D Oliver Funeral Apartments 2002 Laskin Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23454 757-428-7880

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Death of a Class Mate Oliver Shearer

 

Our Poets December Poem

 

Our Poets November Poem - NOVEMBER'S BREATH

                                                                                 

                                                         NOVEMBER'S BREATH

                                                 A chill wind sweeps the hillside,

                                                Before it fly the leaves--

                                                Small rains caress the meadows,

                                                To drip from roofs and eaves.

                                                The year is sweetly dying--

                                                Yet memories remain,

                                                Of golden days, of shipmates,

                                                Not rinsed out by the rain.

                                                                         11-5-22

Jack Anderson at Navy /Air Force Game

 

 Here's to my class! I started a great adventure in 1950 with a fantastic group. Too bad we are now scattered showing the signs of age. I consider it an honor to have been a member of this group over the years. I hope to make the 70th, but if I don't -- have a drink for me. 

70th Reunion

 

As previously announced the 70th Reunion for the GreatClass of 1954 will be held on April 24, 25, 26, and 27, 2024. We have contracted with the “Graduate Annapolis” hotel at 126 West Street to be our Reunion Headquarters. This is the same hotel that we used for our 65th Reunion.

However, the room rate has gone up to $199 per night, not including taxes. We are planning to have most of our festivities at the hotel and transportation will be provided to all other events, so that no one will need to drive their own vehicle anywhere once you check in to the hotel.

While nothing is cast in concrete yet there are a few events of interest that are tentatively on our schedule:

Welcome aboard speech by the Sup or Commandant;

Memorial Service in the USNA Chapel; 

Midshipmen Dressparade; 

Welcome Aboard Reception and Reunion

Banquet at the Graduate Annapolis.

So, everyone, including widows, children, other family members, and friends should mark your calendars for this Class of 1954 Reunion.

Death of a Classmate - David Rudolph Raunig - 5th Co.

David Rudolph Raunig, 91, of Williamsburg, VA, passed away at his home Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Born in Great Falls, MT, David graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1954. David served as a Naval aviator for 24 years and was a Vietnam veteran. He extended his career as a Life Underwriter for GPM Life Insurance Company. David is survived by his wife of 68 years, Coralie and his four children, David (Robin), Deborah Raunig-Salvatorelli (Robert), Denise Raunig Lee (David), and Diana Bower (John); 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A Mass will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg at 12:00PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in David’s name may be made to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Raunig family. Nelsen Williamsburg 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23188 757-608-2850

Death of a Wife - Fride Egidius Philpot

Death of a Wife - Fride Egidius Philpot Fride Egidius Philpot, 89, of Cottage Grove, OR, passed away on the morning of Monday, May 9, 2022. She was born Oct 1, 1932, in Brummen, Netherlands, the fourth daughter of Dr. Thorvald Fredrick Egidius and Emmerentia Haaze van Doorninck. She grew up in Ramstad, a suburb of Oslo, Norway where she skied to school in the winter and often knitted during lectures. She loved visiting the family cottage, cross-country skiing, hiking, and orienteering in the mountains, learning Latin names of wildflowers from her father, and participating in the Girl Scouts. Her idyllic life drastically changed during the German occupation of Norway during WWII, a period full of stories of hardship, hunger, and cross-fire that she would later tell to her children and grandchildren. She met the love of her life, Marvin Philpot of Garden City, KS in 1951 when, as a midshipman of the US Naval Academy, he visited Oslo for five days. Though their time together was brief, Fride knew he would come back for her. Their romance continued during three years of letter writing until they were reunited for Marvin’s graduation, when he proposed to her. They were married shortly after in Norway on September 16, 1954. During Marvin’s active duty, Fride was an exceptional Navy wife, caring for home and three young children while her husband was at sea and organizing family camping trips, volunteering, and cooking holiday dinners for enlisted men when he was home. She also worked for the Navy Relief Society and perfected her renowned organizational and packing skills during 16 moves in 18 years as Marvin was assigned to various bases along the Eastern seaboard, from upstate New York to Key West, FL, as well as one move to California. After Marvin was transferred to Offutt AFB in Bellevue, NE, a new chapter of life began for Fride on the Philpot family farm in Cass County. She cherished the quiet countryside, where, with a fourth young child in tow, she planted an enormous vegetable garden and numerous flower beds. Always a woman deeply connected with nature, she preferred to work without gardening gloves so she could savor the rich earth between her fingers, and she never ceased to find new ways to share her love with the local animals of the farm. She installed bird houses and faithfully filled their feeders, rehabilitated and released wounded birds and orphaned baby rabbits, and provided a home for an astounding variety of critters in need—including a 13-striped ground squirrel, a raccoon, a lost kitten, and an abundance of dogs. Later in life she even adopted a capricious though unforgettable donkey! Owls were particularly close to her heart, their shining wide eyes found everywhere about the farm house, from trinkets that adorned the shelves to her cozy sweaters—the memorable Fride aesthetic. Fride loved crafts and was always busy creating, whether clothes, afghans, baby blankets, shawls, hats, scarves, quilts, home textiles, needlework art or Christmas decorations. She shared this love of craft with the many girls in her charge as a Girl Scout troop leader in Weeping Water and devoted sweaty weeks every August to the craft department of the Cass County Fair. Her Norwegian and Dutch roots formed the foundation of many family traditions, especially at Christmas, which brimmed with an abundance of Scandinavian decorations on display and dozens of varieties of cookies she baked and happily shared with eager recipients. She enjoyed many return trips to Norway, visiting family and reveling in the beauty of the country she always considered home. Her beloved husband passed in 1990 but she stayed at their farm for many years, bravely navigating a new life without her Love, displaying inspiring fortitude and resourcefulness. She devoted her time to friends and family, her job at the Offutt Officers Spouses Club Thrift Shoppe, and the organizations dear to her heart: the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Nebraska Girl Scout Order of the Silver Trefoil, the latter of which she was member until the day she passed. Since his passing, Fride always believed that Marvin was waiting for her. And now they are indeed reunited: the tall, handsome naval officer and the beautiful, strong Dutch-Norwegian woman, once again side by side. She is survived by her children Emmerentia Guthrie, Catherine Anderson, Lloyd Philpot, and Mary-Rose Joshi; grandchildren, Emmerentia Jo, Corey, Tyler, Spencer, Chase, Meera and Nathan; great-grandchildren, Emmerentia Lynn, Connor, Hadley, Sloane, Riley and Callum. She is also survived by her constant canine companion, Maggie. In addition to her parents, Fride was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marvin Philpot, her sisters Nanna Helle, Emmerentia Egidius, and Quirina Stenersen, and daughter Mary Elizabeth. A private family service will be held. Please visit the Tribute Wall above if you would like to light a candle for Fride or share a story or memory with her family. Fride was a generous woman that supported many charities, including those listed below. In lieu of flowers you can choose to donate to an organization listed under Memorial Contributions or plant a tree. NOTE about Wildlife Safari (Winston, OR): This is an organization new to Fride – she visited this park 2 or 3 times this last year and intended to make a donation but didn’t get the chance before passing. She was very impressed with this park and strongly believed in their conservation efforts, so if you want to choose one, it would have meant a great deal to her for this place to receive funds on her behalf. Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 123 South Seventh Street Cottage Grove, OR 97424 https://www.smithlundmills.com/obituaries/Fride-Egidius-Philpot?obId=24905607#/obituaryInfo ...