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At random: "Submariners are a bunch of intelligent misfits that somehow seem to get along, understand each other and work well together.” -- Red Hanley who overheard a skimmer officer say this while talking to a non-navy type

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Coyote

Posted 2023-12-28 11:06 AM (#104447)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1003

Location: NE Florida

Subject: Thursday Obits

SMITH .. .. Douglas Grant Smith of Sunderland passed away on December 12th, 2023, with his three brothers, Hiram, Tim, Geoff and sister-in-law, Lenore Gauthier Smith, as well as Doug's longtime companion, Barbe LaPierre, by his side.
Doug was born in San Francisco on October 8th, 1945, and later attended public schools in Winchester, MA, graduating in 1963. He then enrolled in the University of Miami, and following three years there was inducted into the US Navy in August of 1967 where he served in the Submarine Service aboard the USS Gato (SSN615) and then the USS Nautilus (SSN571) on her final tour of duty. He was separated honorably in August of 1973, and subsequently enrolled at UMass Amherst, receiving his BS and MS degrees (with teaching assistantship), in 1977 and 1982, respectively. He then served as Curator of Invertebrate Zoology and Lecturer in Biology at UMass and ultimately published nearly 70 peer reviewed papers; his work culminating in a magisterial revision of Pennak's Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States in 2001. This work remains a prime reference in this field. Doug quickly became recognized as an excellent and insightful instructor in both classroom and field settings, and additionally was an associate curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He was also an associate in invertebrate zoology at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology. Following his teaching career, he was appointed as Assistant Dean and Pre-Med Advisor, serving in that capacity in full time and then part time roles until 2020, completing over 40 years of academic service. Throughout and following his academic career, he was an ardent supporter of the UMass community, particularly athletics, reveling in their victories and stoic in their defeats.

During the latter years of his academic experience, Doug became fascinated with the unique and evolutionary American cars of the early and middle 1950s and satisfied this passion by reconstructing or building a 1956 Dodge Power Wagon, a 1956 Corvette, a 1954 Hudson Hornet, and a 1953 Woodill Wildfire. These vehicles, particularly the Corvette and Hudson, became visual staples on the roadways near Sunderland. He had more cars under construction and was working on a 1957 Rambler Rebel and 1951 Muntz Jet with a 1949 Crosley Hotshot waiting in the wings at the time of his passing. His work on them and the history behind them and their marques is chronicled in Barbe's well-crafted and informative website tobyknollgarage.com.
Doug became an institution in the valley area with his wry but insightful and engaging sense of humor, and was always capable, gifted, and caring in his outlook. He loved nature and his countryside and was so fortunate to be able to do what he wanted to do, where he wanted to do it.
Barbe and his three brothers ask that if anyone wishes to remember Doug by a contribution that it be directed to Cooley Dickinson Hospital or the charity of their choice.

SAVILLE .. .. .Byrd H. Saville, Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, 2023. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 67 years, Judith Ann Saville and his younger brother Walter Saville.
Byrd was born in Atlanta, Ga. on November 21, 1931. Forced to permanently leave home at age 9, he grew up in Dahlonega, Ga. under the care of Hayley E. Montague, a retired Director of the Georgia state YMCA. Byrd served as President of the school student body during his junior year of high school and excelled at basketball, baseball and English literature. Byrd entered the Navy at age 17 serving in the Pacific during the Korean war. He trained as a radar operator and served aboard the USS Requin, the Navy's first radar picket submarine.
Byrd left the Navy after meeting Judith Ann Bloomgren in order to marry in April, 1953. Judy and Byrd lived thereafter on the Peninsula, first on Back Creek in Hampton, then for nearly 60 years in the Hidenwood section of Newport News.

Byrd began his career with GMAC but quickly moved to Suttle Motor Corporation where he met his longtime mentor and friend, George Suttle. In 1961 Byrd entered the real estate industry joining Harrison & Lear Realtors where he remained active for 50 years. At Harrison & Lear Byrd initially sold single family homes but soon moved into commercial brokerage specializing in complex land assemblage for national retailers and local investors. He was also a general partner in various Harrison & Lear sponsored residential and commercial development projects.

Byrd was active in the community serving a variety of organizations including the United Way where he Chaired the first annual campaign on the Peninsula to achieve $1 million in contributions. He was also a member and later Chair of the Regional Redevelopment & House Authority, member of the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Counsel, member of the Board of Riverside Hospital System's rehabilitation operating unit and later Riverside Hospital System. He was also a Board member of Newport News Saving Bank where he fought for change during the Savings & Loan crisis. Byrd generously contributed time and money supporting his favorite local elected representatives.

Byrd was a competitive sportsman throughout his life. In the 1970s he was widely recognized as a leading sailboat racer on the lower Chesapeake Bay and was the inaugural winner of the Blackbeard Trophy awarded by Hampton Yacht Club. He won or placed in dozens of one design regattas and was sought after by owners to skipper larger racing yachts. Byrd snow skied for forty years on mountains throughout the American West and was a regular participant in amateur NASTAR racing events repairing and tuning his own equipment. At age 50 Byrd took up golf in earnest eventually achieving a single digit handicap for a short time and playing and winning his flight in tournaments throughout the year. Finally, at age 60, Byrd became an accomplished sailplane pilot flying his own high-performance glider until nearly 80. He also spent time hunting and fishing even reloading his own shotgun shells.

Byrd belonged to Warwick Yacht Club, Hampton Yacht Club and James River Country Club where he encouraged (some say harassed) the Greens Committee to improve playing conditions. He was also a long-time member of Newport News Rotary, the Hampton Roads German Club and multiple bible study groups.

In more recent times Byrd became an active member of the United States Submarine Veterans Association promoting the national visibility of his old boat, the Requin, which is on display at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh.
Faith was central in Byrd's life and he was a member of Hidenwood Presbyterian and later First Presbyterian Church. The reverend Walter Kennedy was a force in Byrd's life and he lived in the belief of Walter's Irish benediction:

May the Light of God shine through you and the Grace of God renew you
and the Love of God pursue you today, tomorrow and all your life's tomorrows
till time shall be no more.

Known to many as a recontour of legendary proportion, Byrd, in spite of little formal education or professional training, took full advantage of his opportunity in life. He is survived by only child, B. Hagen Saville, daughter-in-law Eve M. Saville and three granddaughters, Eva, age 23 and twins, Charlotte and Leigh, age 20. Although the family will celebrate his life in private, donations in Byrd's name can be made to Tidewater Soaring Society, 14212 Iron Mine Springs Rd., Windsor, Va. 23487.

ROWE .. .. Steve Rowe was born May 1st, 1944. His family moved to Surfside in 1949, Steve was 5 and lived in Surfside until Nov. 8, 2023. He lived in Surfside for 74 years with a brief departure of 2 years for the Navy – the Submarine service, known as "the silent service". Steve likely holds the record of the longest living resident of Surfside, a community established in 1929.
He was raised in A99 Surfside. In the early 1960's, he had to move out (to C row) for several months because the surf was under the house and washed away the side patio. In the early 60's, Steve's father served on the Surfside board and helped negotiate the first sandfill agreement for Surfside. Steve had witnessed every sand fill until this one.

Steve was always part of the Seal Beach and Surfside community. As a senior in High School he was a Seal Beach lifeguard. While attending California State University Long Beach, Steve worked as the maintenance man for Surfside. Later in life, he was on Surfside's Storm and Water board for years and served on the Surfside board of directors.
In 1967, Steve's parents sold A99 after the sand fill. His mother did not want to watch the sand wash away the surf under the house. Soon after, Steve moved to A40 with Ella and they married in 1968. The joke was Steve married Ella so that he wouldn't have to leave Surfside.

Steve and Ella welcomed their first son, Aron on October 18th in 1976 and on April 12, 1982, their second son Craig was born.
Steve departed from us on November 8, 2023. Steve leaves behind his wife of 55 years Ella, sons Aron and Craig, daughter-in-laws Darlene and Jelena. Grandchildren Jayden, Ivana, Tanner, Dani, Demi and Jason. Sister Tina, nieces and nephews and many extended friends and family who were near and dear to Steve.

As we say our goodbyes to Steve, let's cherish the warmth of his presence, his contagious smiles, the resilience of his character, and the meaningful bonds he cultivated throughout his extraordinary journey. Friends, family, and the community that Steve held close to his heart will undoubtedly feel the void left by his absence. Steve enjoyed every sunset until the day he passed.

LOUTHAIN .. .. (from USSVI Groton)
It is my sad duty on this Christmas night to report the passing of Shipmate PW Louthain on 21 December. PW Louthain was born in Howard County Indiana on 12-05 1944, graduated from Burnettsville High School in 1962 and joined the US Navy in 1964.He attended Recruit Training in San Diego followed by MM “A” school, Nuclear Power School Nuclear Power Training Unit Idaho Falls, and Naval Submarine School New London. His first Submarine was USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN 657) where he Qualified in Submarines in 1967. Additional Submarine assignments included USS JAMES MADISON (SSBN 627); USS JOHN MARSHALL (SSBN 611); USS GUITARRO (SSN 665); USS THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN 618). Shore Duty Assignments included Naval Recruiting District Cincinnati; Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific Pearl Harbor HI and Commander, Submarine Squadron Seventeen Staff. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1984 with 20 years Honorable Service.
After retirement he worked at General Dynamics Electric Boat from 1984 – 2011 when he officially retired.
He was very active in many areas in the community and in many organizations. He was active in Deep River in the Deep River Beautification Committee and Deep River Ambulance Board, Deep River Republican Town Committee and Deep River Election Polls. Other organizations included Electric Boat Management Association; Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 20 Groton CT; National Association of Uniformed Services (NAUS); Westbrook B.P.O.E Elks where he chaired the Veterans Committee and United States Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI) Groton Base.
The Submarine Veterans was his passion. He joined SUBVETS Groton Base in 1997 and upgraded to Life Membership in 1999. He was the Base Secretary from 1998 – 2005. PW was an active participant in many committees. PW was directly responsible for establishing the CT Silent Service License Plate Program and was the first Chairman of that committee, and for establishment of the Westport Satellite Group. PW either chaired or participated in many committees. Other committees included Boat Sponsorship Chairman, Color Guard Captain, Membership Chairman, Newsletter Editor, Nominations Chairman, Thanksgiving Committee, Anniversary Committee, Honors Detail; Homecoming Committee and Scholarship Golf Committee. He also served as the Eastern Region District One Commander from 2005 – 2008.
PW Louthain received a great deal of recognition for his efforts. 2005 USSVI Robert Link National Commander Award Recipient; 2005 USSVI Robert Link National Commander Award Recipient; 2005 USSVI Joe Negri Award Nominee and the 2007/2008 USSVI District Commander of the Year. He was inducted into the prestigious CT Veterans Hall of Fame in 2015 and into the USSVI Holland Club in 2017 for 50 years Qualification in Submarines. In addition to Groton Base PW was a Dual Member of RI Base and Hoosier Base.
He is survived by his wife Sandra. They were married 20 August 1983 in Lafayette IN.
Other survivors include his daughters April Louthain from Athens OH, Ali Hilvers from Edgewood KY and his son Matt Thompson also from Lafayette IN He is also survived by 3 granddaughters and two great grandsons.

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