Teusday ObitsCoyote |
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Master and Commander Posts: 1450 Location: NE Florida | Subject: Teusday Obits https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/ The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted. I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate. RAAZ .. .. .. Captain Richard Dean Raaz USN (ret.) aka Dick, has yielded to his long battle with renal cancer. Dick passed peacefully at his Apache Junction, Arizona home on May 3rd in the care of his loving and devoted wife, Jennifer Froemming and close friends Thomas Goforth (USN ret) and his wife Cheri. Dick is survived by his brother Dana (sister-n-law Joan), his sister Dee Ann, his son Bryan, daughter Carrie, his cousins Tekkla and Wendy, many nephews, nieces, grandchildren and two (soon to be three) great-granddaughters. Preceded in death by Brandee Raaz daughter of Richard and Quida. Dick was smack in the middle of five generations of the Raaz family service in the military. These include his grandfather Lester (USAF), his father LtCol (USAF) Dean and Della, his uncle LtCol (USAF) Quentin and Ihla, his brother Dana (US Army, Vietnam chopper pilot), his sister DEE Ann (CDR USN), his nephew Neil (Lt USNR), his great-nephew Casy (USAF) and most recently his granddaughter Charlie (US Army). After graduating from Annapolis in the immortal class of 1967 Dick served on six submarines including command of the USS Haddo (SSN - 604) and the USS Georgia (SSBN-729). He also served on two Carrier Group staffs – immensely impressed with their Commanders, RADM Dennis Brooks and RADM Lyle Bien. Both men were brilliant, dedicated and possessed of the rarest leadership characteristic -KINDNESS. Three highly unusual yet proud events sparked in the later years of his Navy career: 1. Serving as the stand-in Technical Advisor to Sean Connery's film, "The Hunt for Red October". 2. Providing significant input and footage to the Discovery Channel's mini-series: "Submarines- Sharks of Steel" . Capt. Richard Razz explains "What is a submarine". In the series 4 of 4 you can see him on the "conning tower" aka. "The Sail" and command post with his trusted cigar. Not Capt. Razz quote, but a motto he lived by, "There's no margin for mistakes in submarines you're either alive or dead" 3. Hosting 79 submarine veterans of WWII for a one day mid-patrol "Appreciation Expedition" into the deep of the Pacific Ocean on USS Georgia. The veterans were astounded by the size of the ship…our crew were astounded by the stories of submarine legends provided in hundreds of "sea stories". What a wonderful day! Dick had a crew member once say "he was a screamer and yeller, demanding excellence, things MUST be done correctly every time, no excuses or someone will die, everyone knew when he was in command we would return home safely" Dick's civilian career started in Fall 1995 with decommissioning work at DOE's Hanford Reservation, Washington. Dick quickly moved to plutonium processing and disposal for the Rocky Flats Closure Site in Colorado. In the end of his career, Dick was honored to manage the US nuclear waste geologic repository (Carlsbad, New Mexico) and finally the United Kingdom's Low Level Waste Repository (Drigg, Cumbria). Dick's entire working life was punctuated by working with and/or for some of the finest people of this generation. They all had dynamic patriotism, impenetrable honesty and integrity, worked harder than anyone around them and never lost sight of the goal. He would say, he learned vast amounts from their generous sharing, He believed in surrounding himself with individuals who he could develop, grow their skills and knowledge and lead. He wasn't afraid to train his replacements; his Navy career taught him training others to replace you is imperative as you will be moving up or moving out. Influenced by Capt. W.W. Gay (classmate at USNA), "Duke Armstrong (Roommate at Annapolis for 3 years) Capt. X Andrews (Masters Degree advisor Catholic University of America), ADM Charles Larsen (Executive Officer USS Sculpin), Ambassador Linton Brooks (Executive Officer USS Ben Franklin), RADM Jack Darby (CO USS Ben Franklin), RADM Austin Scott (Commander Submarines Pacific Fleet while I began my 1 st command tour), Capt. Mike Coyle (Repair Officer Mare Island Naval Shipyard), Capt. Bob Peters (Surface Operations CarGru Five), Rick and Leslie Dale (Friends in Idaho Falls Idaho who can fix anything), Thomas Heuser (former Idaho Falls symphony conductor who makes pure magic with an orchestra), Kevin and Bridget Greene (manager of Chukars baseball, Idaho Falls professional sports team) and Ross Carrol of Blackfoot, Idaho who took a small group of Sub Vets and turned it into an amazingly ran growing successful fraternal chapter of submarine veterans. Dick's favorite quotes: 1. Life is HARD – with no plan it gets REAL HARD 2. Life is HARD- when you act stupid, its even harder 3. Paraphrased from President Lincoln –"Sometimes it is better to remain silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt!" 4. … "No matter what happens, we ALL MUST GO ON!" MOORE .. .. .. Charles Miller Moore passed away peacefully on April 20, 2010 at the age of 95. He served proudly during World War II on the submarine USS “Queenfish”. He and his family came to Petaluma in 1952 from Illinois. There he worked a number of electronic, machinist and metal fabrication jobs while building houses in his spare time. A general contractor, he built, and sold a total of six houses over the next 18 years. His wife Natalie passed away in 1958. He built two final homes on property he bought in Bennett Valley, then settled there with his second wife Virginia, who passed away in 2007. He is survived by his two daughters, Cynthia Towner and Patricia Boysen; and three grandchildren: Jason Aguillon, Misty Hobbs, and Robin Aguillon. He also had four great grandchildren. CAMPBELL .. .. .. Command Master Chief William "Lou" Louis Campbell, 83, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Kingswood Reserve Senior Living in Clayton. Born on April 22, 1943 in Scioto County, Ohio, he was son to the late John Campbell and Violet Johnson Campbell. A patriot and community leader of the highest order, Lou first volunteered for the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, beginning a distinguished career that spanned 30 years of total service to his country and the naval industry. A proud 'bubblehead' in the Submarine Silent Service, he earned his silver dolphins as a Machinist's Mate, mastering the complex systems of the deep. His leadership culminated in the Navy's highest enlisted rank, where he served with distinction as the Command Master Chief Liaison for Mare Island, California. Lou's technical legacy is etched into the history of the fleet; across three decades-both on active duty and later as a contractor for Newport News Shipbuilding-he was instrumental in the construction and maintenance of multiple Diesel and Los Angeles-class submarines. In this vital role, he acted as a critical bridge between the fleet and the shipyard, ensuring the operational readiness of the submarine force. Master Chief Campbell's technical legacy is etched into the history of the fleet. Over three decades-both on active duty and later as a contractor for Newport News Shipbuilding-he was instrumental in the construction and maintenance of multiple Diesel and Los Angeles-class submarines. From the era of diesel power to the height of the nuclear-powered fast attack fleet, his hands-on expertise helped shape the backbone of American naval power. He retired as a Command Master Chief, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship, technical mastery, and unwavering devotion to the 'Silent Service'. Upon completing his professional service, Lou's dedication to others simply moved closer to home. For over 20 years, he was a pillar of the Bay Vista Townhome community in Benicia, volunteering as the Maintenance Coordinator and serving in nearly every leadership capacity on the Board, including President, Vice-President, and Liaison for Community Outreach. Whether he was overseeing improvements or advocating for his neighbors' concerns, Lou applied the same 'Master Chief' level of care and integrity to his community that he once gave to his crew. He leaves behind a legacy of mentorship, technical mastery, and an unwavering devotion to service in all its forms. "Sailor, rest your oars. Command Master Chief, we have the watch." Lou is survived by his sons, Christopher Zack Campbell and wife, Sherry, and Gregory Campbell and wife, Roxie; his grandchildren, Adriana Jackson, Austin Campbell, Dakota Campbell and Kylie Combs; his great-grandchildren, Bentley Jackson, Ava Jackson, William Beau Jackson, Jack Combs, Lucy Combs, Ellie Combs, Bodhi Campbell, Kai Campbell and Wiley Campbell; and several nieces and nephews he loved dearly. In addition to his parents, Lou was preceded in death by his wife of 52 yrs, Dawn Mary Campbell. WEHMEYER .. .. .. Paul H. Wehmeyer, 86, of Hackensack, passed away on April 16, 2026. Born in Irvington, grew up in Pennsylvania finally settling in Hackensack. Paul was in the United States Navy from 1958-1963 and in that time he completed the basic course for the Naval Submarine School. He went to Temple University from 1963-1968. He played on Temple University Baseball Team and almost became a professional player. Paul then went to police academy and became a Wildwood police officer from 1968-1973. Finally went to beauty school got licensed and became a colorist at Antonio's Hair Salon in Livingston from 1973-2003. In 2003 he became a co-owner of Americana Salon and Spa in Roseland with Benito and Belinda Sarracino and Angela Kaden until 2008. He continued working at Americana Salon and Spa as a colorist until May 2025. Paul was 3-time gold medal champion of senior racquetball in the US Open and played all over the United States. His other passion was fly fishing, and he travelled the world to amazing places like Argentina, Russia and Siberia to fish. He was an avid reader till the very end. Paul loved his Italian food, desserts and French wine. He enjoyed spending every holiday, birthday and celebrations with the Sarracino, Kaden and Gabriele families. Preceded in death by his parents Henry Herman and Elizabeth Regina (nee Riesyer) Wehmeyer. Dear brother of Geraldine Wehmeyer Skiles and her husband Russell of Landcaster, PA and Barbara Yabor of North Hills, CA. Loving uncle and great uncle to Chris, Donna, Steve, Jason, Kristina and Jessica. Cherished friend of Benito and Belinda Sarracino and family who have been with Paul for over thirty-five years and made him a part of their family. MONTOUR .. .. .. Gregory "Greg" Montour was a kind-hearted and gentle soul who passed away on April 27th, 2026 at the age of 71, surrounded by the love of his family in Ames, Iowa. He was born on December 6, 1954, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 6:30pm. His parents were the late Donald Montour and Joyce Montour. He grew up in rural Iowa on a 160 acre small mixed pasture and cropland farm. There they raised Holstein dairy cattle and Leghorn chickens for both meat/eggs. He had a lot of fond memories of milking cows and listening to "Polka Party Time" in the barn with his father. Greg served his country from November 1973 to November 1977 as an enlisted service member of the U.S. Navy. He served on a variety of vessels including the USS Lexington and the nuclear powered attack submarine USS Tinosa. He worked as a nuclear propulsion plant operator and engineering laboratory technician. He was very proud of the time he served and earned the nickname of "Moose." He lived in a variety of places throughout his years after the Navy, including Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Columbia, Missouri before returning to Ames, Iowa to be near the people he loved most. He enjoyed a career in public transit, and worked for the Columbia Area Transit Authority in Missouri and CyRide in Ames, transporting folks all throughout the city. In 1990, Greg embraced the Bahá'í Faith, and it became a light of the rest of his life. From his earliest childhood, he had spoken to God each night before sleep, a practice he never abandoned into adulthood. The Bahá'í writings gave that lifelong conversation a home. Greg believed in the soul's journey onward, and that love of God was the beginning and end of all things. Greg lived a life shaped by seeking faith and enjoying his passions. He always had an open, kind heart and was known for his easygoing nature, his love of movies, television, and the games he played with quiet dedication. His favorites included World of Warcraft and Diablo. It was the simple, meaningful routines that brought him much joy. Greg is survived by his mother, Joyce Evelyn Montour; his son, Ben Montour and Ben's wife, Ellen Hartstack; his daughter, Kayti Hageman; and his beloved granddaughter, Inara Hageman. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Virgil Montour, his brother Douglas, and his sister Phyllis. He will be deeply missed and forever loved. | ||
