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At random: On August 17, 1958, the USS SKATE circumnavigated the globe in about fifty minutes. The SKATE was at a radius of about two miles from the North Pole at the time, and the distance traveled in the circumnavigation was about twelve miles.
Wednesday Obits
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Coyote
Posted 2026-05-13 6:18 PM (#106086)


Master and Commander

Posts: 1465

Location: NE Florida
Subject: Wednesday 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. 

DYCKMAN .. .. .. Captain Dennis Vincent Dyckman, USNR (Ret): dedicated patriot, leader, father, shipmate and friend, began his eternal patrol on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at his home in Shermans Dale, PA. He was 80 years old.
Dennis was born July 12, 1945 in Long Beach, CA to parents Robert and Patricia, and grew up in Creve Coeur, MO. He graduated from Chaminade College Preparatory School before attending the University of Missouri on a scholarship as part of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Upon graduation in 1968, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later completed a Masters of Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1986.
Before graduating from the University of Missouri, Dennis had the extraordinary opportunity to interview with the brilliant and visionary Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, known as the 'Father of the Nuclear Navy.' Every officer entering the Navy's nuclear program was required to be personally screened by him. Dennis's successful interview opened the door to training in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force, affectionately known as the 'Silent Service.' He earned his initial dive qualifications on the USS Becuna (SS-319), his approach officer qualification on the USS Blenny (SS-324) and ultimately received his prized submarine dolphins (Submarine Warfare Insignia) aboard the fast attack submarine USS Jack (SSN-605). Dennis thrived in the dynamic world of fast-attack submarines before transitioning to strategic deterrent missions aboard the ballistic missile submarine USS John Marshall (SSBN-611), serving as Navigator, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer. He later left active duty to devote himself to being present and available for his children, a testament to his deep commitment to family.
Dennis continued serving in the US Navy Reserves, holding assignments with Submarine Development Group 2, Submarine Squadron Eight, and the Naval War College. He commanded the USS Emory S. Land Reserve Detachment 106 before retiring as a Captain in 1991. Beyond the Navy, Dennis guided young scouts as Den Leader of Den 10 in Pack 360, inspiring service, leadership and love of country-a legacy reflected in his three sons, who became Eagle Scouts like their father and had careers in the naval service. His expertise in nuclear engineering also contributed to Pennsylvania's safety, including critical work at Three Mile Island and oversight of the state's nuclear power plants.
He delighted in sharing adventures with others yet never hesitated to strike out alone if needed-fully embracing life with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a spirit of exploration. Over the years, Dennis earned a private pilot's license, was involved in early scuba diving (around the time of Jacques Cousteau), skied, sailed, hiked, traveled across the world and was an avid reader. Later, he pursed hunting, model-making, and even competitive shooting. He was a member of the Hunters' and Anglers' Association shooting team and the William Penn Pistol League and he competed at the highest national levels while attending several National Matches at Camp Perry, OH. For his efforts, he earned several shooting championship medals at both the individual and team level and even won awards for some of his homemade aircraft models.
He made his home at a place he fondly named Shangri-La; a little place of land where he pursed his passions while focusing on continued involvement with various veteran's groups, including the US Submarine Veterans Inc. and the Sons of the American Revolution, and where he entertained friends and family alike. His daughter always remained close by and was the first to provide him with the joy of grandchildren. He touched the lives of his children, grandchildren, and everyone around him in ways that will be felt long after his passing-far more than he may have ever known. Captain Dennis Vincent Dyckman's life was marked by courage, curiosity, and unwavering dedication to his country, his family, and all who knew him. He will be profoundly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert V. Dyckman and Agnes (Patricia) Dyckman (Groesch). He is survived by his children: daughter, Julie Harr (Chris) of Harrisburg, PA; sons: CDR Theodore Dyckman (Leslie) USN(Ret) of California, MD, CDR Damian Dyckman (Jessica), USNR, MD, PhD of Atlanta, GA, and CDR Joseph Dyckman (Tara), USN of Virginia Beach, VA,; his brother: Duane Dyckman (Judy) of Houston, TX, and twelve grandchildren: Mica Sussman (Jeremy), Clare Harr, Emilie Harr, Samuel Dyckman, Melanie Dyckman, Theodore Dyckman, Katherine Dyckman, Grace Dyckman, Bridget Dyckman, Charles Dyckman, Nicholas Dyckman, Amelia Dyckman, and eleven nieces and nephew and various other family. He also leaves behind his German Shepherd Rex, who was a trusty pal and ball-sports ringleader. Dennis was blessed with the love of his family, and the faithful companionship and devotion of Cathy, who provided him with friendship and security. To her the family is immensely grateful for helping him at the time of his passing.

COTTON .. .. .. Fulton, IL - Thomas Leslie Cotton, Tom to everyone (except a select few Navy brothers who called him Tiny Bubbles) was sixfootfour of quiet introspection, kindness, and science facts hiding behind skyblue eyes. Born in Savanna on September 23, 1950.
He left this world on Monday, May 11, 2026, after seventyfive years of love, curiosity, and hard work. Join the family for visitation from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Pape Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Iowa Donor Network or The Sawmill Museum in Clinton, Iowa (make sure to stop inside when you visit the troll!).
He grew up in Hauntown on the farm his family had worked since the Civil War. An innately gifted student of engineering, he learned to run the family's sawmill at an age that would make OSHA shudder. After a childhood spent driving tractors, wandering the woods, and reading every book he could get his hands on, he turned eighteen under the shadow of the Vietnam draft. Instead of waiting for his number to be called, he signed up for the United States Navy, where he "earned his dolphins," learning the insandouts of every mechanism, circuit, and system inside a nuclear submarine to earn the status of submarine specialist. He served sea tours on the USS Guardfish, USS Sargo, and USS Halibut, an attack submarine whose hangars once held guided nuclear missiles, but were crammed with spy equipment by the time Tom arrived.
After four years in the Navy, much of it deep underwater, he returned to Iowa where he met Kathleen Frett, starting a love story that fueled fifty-one years of devoted marriage. Together, they raised three children, Christopher, Sara, and Amanda, taking them from Sabula, to Hauntown, and finally to Clinton where Tom spent years meticulously remodeling the entire house, room-by-room. He got up early every day, leaving to drive the gravel roads of Rural Route 3, north of Clinton, which unfortunately meant spending countless nights and weekends fixing a seemingly endless series of used vehicles that got beat to heck on those roads (his favorites were his Chevy Citations, whose brakes were "easy" to fix).
Luckily for the kids, Tom's years spent operating a car while sitting shotgun made him an ideal driving instructor once they got their learning permits. He taught his kids how to use tools, fix cars, build things from wood, crack eggs one-handed, make perfect crepes, fit ice cream into their lives more often, try weird foods, listen more than they speak, doubt the politicians, listen to whale songs, laugh really freaking loud when something is funny, believe in the promises of cold fusion and hydrogen-powered flying cars, enjoy Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Alfred Hitchcock, and don't forget Analog Magazine, which lined the shelves of his den for years.
Tom will live deep in the hearts of everyone he touched, where he'll be remembered for his quiet kindness, his keen intellect, his love for technology and innovation, and his curveball non-sequiturs sharing fascinating facts. Now that he's gone, those who knew him best will fill the hole he's left behind by reminiscing about:- his endless culinary expertise, especially with breads, custards, and smoked meats
- his gusto for kitchen gadgets and his insistence on very sharp knives
- the way he listened far more than he talked, but when he spoke, he always said something worth listening to
- his night-owl ways which left him awake and ready to connect, especially during those late-night teen years
- the way he'd quietly rescue us whenever we got into trouble — everything from digging through Wendy's trash bags for a lost retainer, pulling cars from ditches, to fighting off a quarter-ton sow charging a very pregnant Kathleen
- his willingness to save freshborn piglets via mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and let his children name them Barbara Mandrell and Squiggy
- the slow, thoughtful way he'd pack his pipe
- his sparkling blue eyes which seemed to twinkle when he laughed
- and his giant hands, which sought perfection in everything he touched.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen, children: Christopher (Kate McCarron) of Kansas City, Missouri; Sara (Steve Fields) of Medina, Minnesota; Amanda (Eric Ruback) of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, his sister, Cindy (Dick) Cram, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. Together, his children gave him nine grandchildren: Grace (Isaac), Olivia (Corie), Hadley, River, Addison, Doran, Sebastian, Selby, and Brooks. His parents, Joseph and Helena (Struve) preceded him in death.

SOUTHARD .. .. .. In Loving Memory of Carl Vernon Southard May 27, 1925 – May 11, 2026
Carl Vernon Southard passed away at the age of 100, leaving a century-long legacy of service, craftsmanship, and community spirit. A true representative of the Greatest Generation, Carl's life was defined by his diverse talents and an unwavering work ethic.

He was born near Scottland, Edgar County, Illinois. A veteran of World War II, Carl served as a Master-at-Arms in the U.S. Navy submarine service from 1943 to 1946. He and his late wife, Lela "Lee" Snyder, worked together to purchase land and build their family home near Martinsville, Illinois. Throughout his life, Carl was a man of many trades: he worked as a newsboy, oil field worker, sheep shearer, and maintenance director for Martinsville schools. He took immense pride in his work, including his years spent mowing cemeteries and keeping everything "shipshape."

Carl and Lee shared 52 years together, enjoying square dancing, hosting family wiener roasts, and volunteering with the Girl Scouts. Carl built a workshop and enjoyed woodworking, often making whatever Lee needed for her projects. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing and wintering in Texas, where he volunteered at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and Children's Haven International. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion.

A national Canadian and international sheep-shearing champion in his youth, Carl later shared his expertise as a respected judge at state fairs across the Midwest. His legendary "green thumb" produced blue-ribbon flowers and vegetables, eventually leading to a twenty-year tenure as a horticulture judge for the Martinsville Agricultural Fair. Always learning, Carl taught himself chair caning, sewing, Spanish, and cooking, and he read extensively to deepen his knowledge of gardening, history, and bullfighting.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Ray C. and Nellie Inez Daily Southard; sisters, Mary Frances Southard and Nona Dvorak; and his beloved wife, Lee. He is survived by his children, Susan Estep (Gary) and Eric Southard (Heidi); five grandchildren, Shannon Estep Duncan, Matthew Estep, Stephanie Estep Boyd, Emma Southard, and Carl Southard; and five great-grandchildren, Alexus, Garrick, Penelope, Ethan, and Hudson. He also leaves behind several cherished nieces, nephews, and their families.

TARR .. .. .. Richard Sumner Tarr of Danvers, formerly of Gloucester, passed away peacefully, Monday, May 11, 2026, at Winchester Hospital surrounded by loved ones. He was the son of the late Roy and Lillian (Pearson) Tarr.

Affectionally known as "Dicky Tarr" he was a graduate of Gloucester High School, with the Class of 1958. He was a four-year varsity track runner and captain, an officer in the R.O.T.C. and a member of the National Honor Society.

He joined the Navy Submarine Service and proudly served on both nuclear and conventional boats. His entire career as a union electrician was spent working for Red Deering of Deering Electric Co.

Upon retirement, with his love for people and golf, he worked at the Cape Ann Golf Club pro shop where he handled customers with the entertaining personality he was known for. He enjoyed the cribbage club, monthly card games, golf trips, his breakfast group and many cruises with Carole Horne's group. He was a member of the Elks and Local 103.

As a proud veteran, he enjoyed being part of the Honor Flight for Veterans to Washington, D.C. and meeting his fellow Veterans at their yearly reunion.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Patricia (Cavender, Cecilio) Tarr and his faithful four-legged friend, "Peaches". His two sons, Timothy Tarr of Georgia and Thomas Tarr and his wife, Shannon of New Hampshire. His brother, Jack Tarr of Gloucester. Four grandchildren, nieces, nephews, many, many friends, co-workers, and golf buddies. He will be sadly missed.

Richard is predeceased by his wife, Eleanor (Piscitello) Tarr and sister-in-law, Sandra Tarr.


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