Death of a Class Wife - Ruth Ann Hay - 2nd Co.

Ruth Ann Hay of Patriots Colony at Williamsburg passed away on January 1st at Sentara Williamsburg Medical Center of a gastric disorder which became terminal during her last month. Her passing was without pain or suffering and her family had gathered during her last days.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James C. Hay, of Patriots Colony and by her 3 children and their spouses, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Janisann and her husband Andrew Clarke live in Silver Spring, MD; Jeffrey and Hanne are in Driftwood, TX and Reverend Jean Hay and her wife Jan Harper are in Billings, MT. The Maryland grandchildren are Justyne, her husband Eric Paxton, her sister Jennifer and daughter Sophia. Christine and her sister Samantha live in Texas and Jean's children Aubrey and husband Matt Mullenix and James are in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Many nieces, nephews, close friends and their families were included in her circle of love and care.

Ruth was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also a proud Navy Wife and a gracious hostess. She was active in church and community affairs, and was a 17-year volunteer at CW's St George Tucker House.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, January 9th, 2020 at St Martin's Episcopal Church, 1333 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, 4966 Euclid Rd, Suite109, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462 will be greatly appreciated.

Death of a Classmate - John Harvilla - 10th Co.

John Harvilla, 89, died in Huntsville, AL on January 2, 2020. He was born on September 12, 1930 to Steve and Mary Harvilla in Cairnbrook, PA. Mr. Harvilla enlisted in the US Navy in 1949 where he received a Fleet Appointment to and graduated from the US Naval Academy. He served over ten years in the naval service. After leaving the service, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Harvilla was then employed as an electrical engineer and was associated with a number of technical firms in Downey, CA and Huntsville area before retiring in 1994 as a consulting engineer. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sue; two brothers, Steve of Northville, MI and Joseph of Gibsonia, PA; sister, Mary of Canton, GA; and several nieces and great-nieces and a great-nephew. Mr. Harvilla was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Anna; brother, Andrew; and son, John Harvilla Jr. A private family service will be held at a later date. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Published in The Huntsville Times on Jan. 5, 2020

LET THE ‘TWENTIES ROAR! Our Poet's January 2020 Poem

                      

                        

                 LET THE 'TWENTIES ROAR! 

    A hundred years ago, they roared—no war, sweet peace ahead,

    Just Prohibition in the wings, stocks soared to beat Old Ned,

    Dance marathons and flagpole sitters, craziness unfurled,

    Bobbed hair, short skirts and raccoon coats, an unimagined world.

    The airplanes flew, with Lindbergh, too, barnstormers and wing-walkers,

    Commercial radio was born, and movies soon were talkers,

    The Navy built dirigibles and scrapped their battleships,

    The Army shrank, from rank to rank, the way of buggy-whips.

    Rum-runners and the speakeasy were daily in the news,

    As mobsters filled the thirsty land with much illegal booze—

    Great times are now upon us, sinful pleasures on the way,

    Drink up! And chance the hangover that comes with light of day.

    1-2-20

USNA54 Class Luncheon

USNA Class of 1954

 Class Luncheon

Tuesday

14 January 2020

1130 to 1300

Graduate Hotel

Camp Severn Shore restaurant

Annapolis

 

Classmates, their families, and Widows invited

Both  valet and "self park" tickets can be validated

 

Note

Class Luncheons are now being scheduled every month, vice every other month

Questions

 

Bill Greenlaw

 

greenlaw2@verizon.net

 

 

 

Death of a Classmate - George Warren Botbyl - 7th Co.

George Warren Our family pillar and loving father George Warren Botbyl, 88, has gone to be with his Lord and Savior in heaven. He journeyed upward in the arms of loving angels on Friday, December 20, 2019. George was born to Marjorie and George in Glen Ridge, NJ, and is survived by his four children and their families, Gregory and Karen Botbyl, Katherine and William St. Jean, Linda Branham and Tim Kihnel, and Douglas Botbyl. He was an excellent grandfather to his nine grandchildren: Jacqueline, Jeremiah, Andrew, Jeffrey, Joshua, Kimberly, John-Michael, Bridget, Trent, and four great grandchildren: Asha, Aiden, Tabitha, and Cooper. Also survived by his younger brother Allan and his wife Joan. George graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force to become a pilot and see the world. During pilot training he met and married his Texas sweetheart Billie Lee Moeser who helped raise the children and complemented his 30 years of service. Retiring from the Air Force they returned to their residence in Austin, Texas where George continued his professional career as a professor at The University of Texas Center of Space Research. Upon final retirement they enjoyed traveling to visit their children and grandchildren across the country, while George stayed active in financial planning, walking with his many close friends, and socializing with his coffee group. He will be missed by family and friends for his encouragement, guidance, and as a positive role model to all. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 26th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 27, 2019 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Remembrances may be shared online at www.wcfish.com.

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes & Cremation Services – Austin

3125 N Lamar Blvd.

Austin, TX 78705

(512) 452-8811

Published in Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 24, 2019

Death of a Classmate - Captain Donald M. Ulmer, USN (Ret) - 8th Co.

 Captain Donald M. Ulmer, USN (Ret) passed away November 3, 2019 at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington with family by his side.  

Son of the late Daniel and Bessie Ulmer, born March 16, 1929 at home, Don is a native of Beverly, New Jersey. He attended Beverly Public Schools and graduated from Burlington, NJ's Wilbur Watts High School in 1947.  Don enlisted in the US Navy serving aboard the USS Clamagore, an Atlantic Fleet Submarine.  Appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy followed.  Commissioned Ensign upon graduation in 1954, he returned to submarines, ultimately Commanding the USS Clamagore (July 1967-March 1969), only Navy man to serve both enlisted in and Commanding Officer of the same US warship.

 His 32 year Navy career included the following tours on USS Fremont (APA44); US Navy Officer's Submarine School; USS Halfbeak (SS352); USS Barracuda (SSK1); Aide to Commandant 8th Naval District; Polaris Weapons School; USS Patrick Henry (SSBN599); Staff, Commander Submarine Squadron 14; Executive Officer USS Corporal (SS346); Commanding Officer, USS Clamagore (SS343); Office of Chief of Naval Operations; Naval Sea Systems Command; and Trident Project Manager Staff.  Among his personal awards: Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/Star and Navy Expeditionary Medal.  

Don was a passionate Navy Submariner who loved his work, his country and the many friends with whom he served.  Don retired from active duty April 1, 1979 and the family moved to Seattle, Wa where he took employment with the Boeing Company, Defense and Space, retiring in 1996.  

After retirement, Don volunteered at Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Bellevue, Wa (20 years), Seattle's Museum of Flight as a Docent and indulged with modest success in his writing passion publishing a series of submarine adventure novels.  Don is a member of US Submarine Vets Inc Seattle Base.  

Don is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol Grafton Ulmer, children Karen, Jennifer, Monica and Matthew; grandchildren Nicholas, Kimberly; great-grandchildren Iris, Beatrice.  A loving husband, father and friend, he will be missed by many.

A Funeral Mass, followed by military honors, will be held Friday, November 22, 2019 11:00 AM at St. Louise Catholic Church, 141 156th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98007.  Reception following in the hall.

Death of a Classmate and Wife - Ralph E. Chidley and Margaret W. Chidley - 6th Co.

Ralph E. Chidley, of Stonington, died Tuesday, October 22, 2019, of complications from pneumonia. Ralph was born in 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Joseph and Florence (Fairfield) Chidley. In 1949 he graduated from Euclid Shore High School where he was a standout athlete in football, wrestling, and track. After one year of NROTC at Ohio State University, he was accepted at the U.S. Naval Academy. Ralph graduated from Annapolis in 1954 and became one of the early personal selections of Adm Rickover to be part of the "Nuclear Navy."  While stationed at the Groton/New London Submarine base, Ralph went on to command two nuclear submarines, the Ethan Allen and the Henry L. Stimpson. He was promoted to Captain in 1975 and stationed outside of Washington DC to take part in the development of the Ohio class "Trident" submarines.  As one of the leaders of that project, Ralph was the principal designer of that ship's control room and he led the development of the initial training programs for its crews. After retirement from the Navy, Ralph cofounded the Interlock Group, which specialized in developing training programs for complex industrial control systems and machinery. Ralph is survived by his son, Brian and his wife, Pam; and his three grandchildren, Nell, Simon, and Ben, all of Mystic. Ralph was predeceased by his wife, Margaret in 2018, his brother Joseph, in 2014, and a son, Derek, in 1988. A memorial service followed by military honors will be held for Ralph at the Gales Ferry United Methodist Church at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 30th. There are no calling hours.

Obituarydata.com

***

Margaret W. (Denniston) Chidley, 83, a resident of Stoneridge in Mystic, wife of CAPT. Ralph E. Chidley (USN retired), died July 19, 2018, at Avalon Health Care. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, she was the daughter of the late William and Marion (Wilson) Denniston, and sister to the late Bill Denniston of Glasgow. The Chidleys lived in Ledyard from 1961 to 1973, when they moved to northern Virginia. Margaret and Ralph moved back to Connecticut in 2006 to be closer to family. Margaret had a successful career in real estate, first as a realtor and later as an investor. Margaret was known for her extensive artistic talents and produced many high-quality paintings in her lifetime. For a decade she was the set dresser at the Aldersgate Community Theater in Alexandria, Va. She served on the board of directors at the Arts Club of Washington, D.C. for over 15 years. Margaret was a devout supporter of her church filling many roles, most recently at the First United Methodist Church in Mystic, and previously at Gales Ferry UMC in Ledyard and Aldersgate UMC in Alexandria. In addition to her husband, she leaves a son, Brian Chidley and his wife, Pam Dolan, of Mystic; and three grandchildren, Nell, Simon and Ben. Her first son, Derek, died of lymphoma in 1988.A memorial service celebrating Margaret's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the First United Methodist Church, Willow Street, Mystic. Her burial will be held privately. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church.

Obituarydata.com

FOR THE FADING GENERATION - Richard Raymond's November Poem

                                                         

                                       

                            

                                FOR THE FADING GENERATION 

                                    The Veterans of World War II
   

     

            The days are departing, in shadows, as night cometh softly behind,

            The soldiers themselves become shadows, so many are none  but in mind--.

            Sixteen million they were, at beginning, the trumpet rang out, loud and clear,

            It summoned the brave to the battle, they mustered, so many to hear.

 

            The youth of our nation responded, they faced deadly peril with faith,

            Our enemies quailed at their banners, vile tyrants are now but a  wraith.

            But years, dim and gray, overtake them, and even the bravest must fall,

            So many are gone to the hillside, three volleys, a sweet bugle-call.

 

            A thousand a day are departing, soon none will be living, not one,

            Their daylight is dimming, yet brightly still shines their magnificent sun.

            O Nation, remember, remember, though ages be ever so long,

            The names of this valiant vanguard, and join in one glorious song!

 

            9-13-19

 

 

Navy vs UConn Highlights | Week 10 | College Football | 2019

Death of a Classmate - Jerry Dean Dancer - 24th Co.

Jerry Dean Dancer, loving husband of Elizabeth Joan (Freisberg) Dancer, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family on October 15, 2019. A native son of Caney, Kansas, Jerry lived a long and wonderful life filled with love, family, faith, and patriotism. Jerry's life began on May 31, 1931, on a small farm outside Caney. Born to James Sylvane Dancer and Marjorie Alice (Tasker) Dancer, Jerry grew up as one of the four "Dancer Boys" - Jim, Charlie, Jerry, and Jack. In high school, he led the Caney Bullpups to victory as quarterback, teaming with Howard Henderson, a life-long friend, and retired Sergeant Major of the United States Army. In the summer of 1950, Jerry left Caney for a year at Kansas State University, followed by appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. On graduating from the Naval Academy and accepting a naval officer commission in 1954, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Joan Freisberg, and began a loving partnership that thrived for decades. Jerry and Joan celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on September 11, 2019. At the Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, Jerry began his military service as a naval aviator, initially flying the single-seat AD Skyraider attack aircraft. Jerry was the first aviator to catapult from a newly installed angled flight deck of the USS Midway (CV-41). Jerry flew with valor in many squadrons and commands, including VA-125, NAS Miramar, VA-126, NAS San Diego; VA-115, NAS Miramar; VT-25, NAAS Chase Field; and VAH-123, NAW Whidbey Island. Jerry earned an advanced engineering degree at the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey, California. At the start of the Vietnam war, Jerry transitioned his naval service from aviation to surface warfare and served with honor as the Navigator on the USS Oklahoma City (CG-5), then flagship to the Seventh Fleet. His duties included piloting the 14,000-ton warship through coastal waters to provide close-in fire support and shore bombardment for our troops and allies. Life Magazine featured the Oklahoma City on the cover of the August 6, 1965 edition. Jerry's naval career continued with distinguished service as Executive Officer aboard the USS Procyon (AF-61), providing at-sea replenishment of fuel and stores for warships engaged in the Vietnam conflict, a tour teaching navigation at the United States Naval Academy, and coordinating cold war naval operations and coastal defense on staff at the Navy's Eastern Sea Frontier Command in New York City. At the same time, Jerry earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Pace University and graduated with top honors. Jerry's commendations include the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation with Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and Bronze Stars, and Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces and Campaign Medals. Jerry's service and qualifications place him in uncommon company as his military dress included the insignia of a naval aviator's wings and surface warrior's waves. Jerry retired after twenty years of Navy service in 1974 and started a second career in engineering construction for Fluor Corporation and Norlight Telecommunications, working on high profile projects including petrochemical refineries, high-speed rail transit, and conversion of telecommunications infrastructure to fiber optic technologies. Jerry retired from his civilian career in 1994 and returned to Caney, Kansas, first making a home on the Caney Golf Club and then on 3rd Avenue. In the service of his hometown, Jerry was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lions Club, and Historical Society. Jerry is remembered for his gregarious personality, contagious sense of humor, and love of scotch. He was a devoted husband, loving father, fearless brother, and faithful friend. Jerry golfed, gardened, drew cartoons, read avidly, and created stain glass works of art. Jerry and Joan made life-long friends everywhere they lived, from Caney to Florida, Texas, Washington, Japan, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Joan Dancer; three children, Elizabeth Kim Dancer, Mark Fredrick Dancer, and Cecily Ann Dancer; eight grandchildren, Michael Russo with wife, Heather, Jake Dancer, Clair Rogers, Thomas Rogers, Steven Dancer, Patrick Dancer, Alyse Matteson with husband, Alex, and Kirby Fracas with fiancé Bob Hamilton; and great-granddaughter, Nona Rey Russo. May Jerry be eternally blessed with fair winds and following seas. Reciting of the Rosary will be held Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 5:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the family greeting friends and family from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Funeral Mass will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Monday, November 4th at 11:00 AM, with inurnment immediately following at Sunnyside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a memorial contribution be made in Jerry's name to Sacred Heart Altar Society or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. Memorial may be left with Potts Chapel. To leave the family a special message of condolence, please visit www.pottsfuneralhome.com.

Obituarydata.com