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George March Obituary
Rear Admiral George Patrick March, U.S. Navy (Retired), a resident of the Olympia area since 1995, passed into the "Great Beyond" on October 18, 2009.
Born in Corvallis, Oregon ("God's country"), into a pioneer family on 16 January 1924, he lived in Valsetz from 1928 to 1933 after which he moved to Portland. Following graduation from Lincoln High School in 1941, he attended Oregon State College (now University) for two years before entering the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from that institution and was commissioned Ensign in June 1946. On 20 December of that year he married the beautiful Betty Eileen Saum ("Saumie").
After two years of destroyer duty, he studied the Russian language at the Navy's Intelligence School in Washington, D.C. He became a specialist in the field of cryptology in 1949 and for the next 29 years pursued a career that included staff and command assignments at sea, on foreign shore and in the Washington, D.C. area. His foreign shore duty included Morocco, Germany, France, Cyprus, England and Japan. He also served one year in Hawaii.
In 1973 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and assigned as an Assistant Director of the National Security Agency. The following year he was ordered to duty as the Commander, Naval Security Group Command, with additional duty as the Director, Electronic Warfare and Cryptology Division, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He retired from the Navy in 1978. Wherever he went he inspired people to do their very best.
When on duty in the Washington, D.C. area, he attended evening classes at Georgetown University, receiving his MA in 1952 and PhD in 1965 in the field of Russian History.
After retirement from the Navy, he commenced post-doctoral work at the University of Hawaii in the field of East Asian Studies, which involved the study of the Mandarin and Classical Chinese languages. From 1983 to 1993 he lectured in history for the University of Hawaii. In addition to articles published in the journals Sibirica and Pacific Historical Review, he authored two published books: Cossacks of the Brotherhood: The Zaporog Kosh of the Dnieper River (1990) and Eastern Destiny: Russia in Asia and the North Pacific (1996). His vast array of interests and deep desire to keep learning kept him vitally engaged in life.
Since retirement in Olympia, he has been involved with golf at the Olympia Country and Golf Club (3 holes-in-one!), with squash racquets at the Valley Athletic Club, and with the Olympia World Affairs Council.
He loved and respected people, his friends were very dear to him and he had absolute dedication and love for his family. He lost his wife, Saumie in 2006 and is survived by three devoted daughters, Molly, Terry and Peggy and their spouses; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Ceremonies and inurnment will take place at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, Maryland next month. On Friday, October 23, 2009 at 12:00 noon a reception will be held at the Olympia Country and Golf Club so that those who knew and appreciated Pat can gather to celebrate the life of this remarkable man.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George March
November 15, 2010
March offspring,
You know that you have our condolences and prayers. I wanted to sign this before it went offline. Please stay in touch if you want or need anything that we can supply. Your father humbled me, and that was a Good Thing.
Dave and Judy Mail
Don Ring
May 12, 2010
Molly, Terry, and Peggy, I just came across this sad news. My condolences. Your parents were always gracious and hospitable.
Charlie Letourneau
January 5, 2010
I owe my success in the Navy to Admiral March. He was my CO in Cyprus and my Mentor and Hero as I progressed through the ranks to Commander.
Frank Swayze
December 12, 2009
Dear Peggy, Molly, and Terry,
I have only just learned of the Admiral's passing, and I presume to share your loss. RADM March was my Commanding Officer at Kamiseya and Misawa, and was instrumental in my decision to become a career officer in the Navy. The memories are marvelous and vivid, and I will always cherish them. He was one of the very finest gentlemen and Navy officers with whom I ever have been privileged to associate.
Paul and Paula Hargrave
December 4, 2009
Molly, Terry and Peggy,
Please know that your loss is shared by many who were priveleged to have known and served with you dad. Our sadness is profound, in that we were able to serve with him at so many stations. In fact, at the September reunion in Portland, he and I concluded that we had probably served together at as many duty stations as anyone in the Security Group, starting with Port Lyautey, then Bremerhaven, Sixth Fleet staff, Cyprus, Ft Meade, London and CNO Staff in the Pentagon. He was directly instrumental in my staying in the Navy and going to OCS. We especially remember our days in London and Paula helping Peggy with the piano. A man of distinction and purpose, he was always able to mentor others wisely and had the best interests of the US Navy foremost in his heart. His ability to remember people was a legend in the Security Group. A great loss, but a wonderful legacy for others to attempt to follow.
Ronald Oliver
November 30, 2009
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Admiral March. He was always the consummate gentleman and the epitome of a Naval Officer. I served under him at Kami Seya and he was the most admired and respected commanding officer of any I encountered in my thirty years of naval service. He knew everyone by name beginning with the newly arrived seaman apprentice. In fact, several years after my service at Kami Seya I had a chance meeting with him and he addressed me by name and even inquired of my wife by name which I have always thought was remarkable.
ADM March is a legend in the naval cryptologic community.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Ron Oliver, CWO4, USN (ret}
Don Ratliff
November 20, 2009
It was a real pleasure serving for a leader who could make all of his personnel understand and love the concept of duty. Admiral March always carried that standard and carried it better than so many others. His ability to communicate the concept of duty and how terribly important although difficult it was to always do your duty might have come from his admiration of Admiral Lord Nelson who was one of Admiral March's historic heros. Admiral March could proudly walk around any of the commands he held and know that each one of us would do our duty.
Don Ratliff
November 19, 2009
November 16, 2009
As neighbors at Panorama we felt privileged to live next to Pat and for a short time Saumie. We also enjoyed
when you daughters came to visit because it always made Pat very happy.
May you find solace in the tributes being expressed here.
Lillian Peeples
Robert Ericson
November 19, 2009
It was my distinct pleasure to have served with Admiral March during my career with the Naval Security Group. He will be missed by many. Sincerely, Robert B Ericson, CTRC, (Ret)
Orville HINZ
November 19, 2009
It was a privilege and honor to serve under Admiral March at Kami Seya and NSG Hdqtrs. Also to play many rounds of golf together in Japaan and Hawaii. My happiest rounds were on those rare rounds when I was able to win a side bet.
CDR Orville HINZ,USN(Ret)in Rockville, MD
Mike Lambert
November 18, 2009
Your father was a favorite of mine and my Sailors at Naval Security Group Detachment Barbers Point Hawaii in the mid 1980s. Every year he would come over and meet with my Sailors at the officers club to share the award named in his honor. He only agreed to come if my Sailors would all be allowed to share a few beers with him. He brought his own beer. He was and will remain an iconic figure in the Naval Security Group. We miss him terribly, as we know that you do. He was a hero to many of us, a friend to some and a Shipmate to all of us. Fair winds, Admiral.
November 18, 2009
Peggy, Molly and Terry; although I do
not recall having ever met you or your
mother, I was preveleged to serve dir-
ectly with your father in London, UK
and later at Hq NSG 3801 Nebr Ave in
Washington DC. Still later, I served
under his leadership and guidance while
he was DIRNSG. He was a great leader
and outstanding individual. The world
of cryptology -- as well as general
historical knowledge -- will certainly
be less without his presence. My own
family's condolences and prayers are
with you and your families in this time
of sorrow.
James R. King (Family)
CTOC Retired
Brooksville, Fl
Terry Anding
November 18, 2009
It was both an honor and privilege to serve in the Naval Security Group under the leadership of Adm. March.
Terry A. Anding,
CTRCM, USN (Ret)
1956 to 1979
John and Anne Crowley
November 17, 2009
Molly, Terry, Peggy,
Anne and I are saddend by your Dad's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Diane Skov
November 16, 2009
Molly, Terry and Peggy
One person does make a difference; Pat did.
At 5 PM each day we miss seeing him walk by our house on his afternoon stroll. We could set the clock by him.
He was so very much respected by all who knew him and though only here at Panorama a few years, he was well known and admired.
Those of us in the Olympia World Affairs Council will miss him for his dedicated service to the group and his guidance as a Board member for many years.
We'll keep him and your mother in our hearts. We look forward to a day when we can visit with you again.
Niels and Diane Skov
Panorama
Stephen Wetzel
November 16, 2009
I can't resist adding a small trivial incident that happened here at this Panorama retirement center. We have something called a patio sale each summer where we sell excess items. I was doing guard duty to try to prevent shop lifters.
Some of the guest book comments touched on Pat's sence of humor. Well, this is minor, and it has both a humor and serious side.:...AS Pat walked past me after buying goods, of course I did not ask for proof of purchase. I said to him,"If you can't trust a Flag Officer[denoting Pat's Adm rank] how can you trust anybody?...Pat turned around to me and said " Boy, do you have a lot to learn"...yes, we will miss him. Stephen Wetzel
Stephen Wetzel
November 16, 2009
Molly, Terry,&Peggy
I am a late comer to the apparently very large circle of those who admired your father[and mother]. I live here at Panorama, their last port of call.
Adm. March[almost always just Pat here] was so obviously a great fine outstanding gentlemen and scholar.
We had a few talks. I like to read history, so there was some talk of the WW2 Naval Intellegence operarations. Pat explained to me some about the Japanese kana alphabet system.. I had read W> J> Holmes book[Naval Institute Press] " Double Edged Secrets" . Yes , Pat had too; he also knew the author and some of the people, mostly US Naval, in the book.
Pat was always kind. Both of us lost our wives in the recent years.. It was so good to know Pat.
I did meet two of you afew years back.One of you had gone to Stanford..We spoke only a few moments.....
I remember the talk that Pat, as a Russian history expert, gave to a Panorama group here on Russia's eastward expansion in earlier centuries.
Of course we will miss him. Stephen Wetzel, 1849 Circle Loop SE, Lacey, Wa 98503
Len Kellar
November 5, 2009
Molly, Terry and Peggy, I will truly miss walking the fairways of the Olympia CC with the Admiral. The Admiral and I had a special connection as we both served in Morocco. We enjoyed swapping stories of our tour of duties in this country. I also was with him when he had his hole in one at Tumwater golf course. He bought lunch afterwards. What a guy! One last thought. As an enlisted Air Force airman it was a treat when we played golf at McCord AFB and the Admiral parked in the choice spot, "GENERAL OFFICERS ONLY".
You were lucky to have such a great man as a father. I'm sorry I was unable to meet you at his reception.
Russ Vassar Jr
October 31, 2009
Where do such men come from? Why do such men serve? These are enduring questions.
Such warm and heartfelt condolences from his shipmates. A measure of the man that makes me wish I had known him.
From all of us who served in uniform: Fair Winds and a Following Sea, Sir!
Russ Vassar, SSGT/USAF, 1962-1970
Michael Wisniewski
October 30, 2009
Molly, Terry and Peggy,
I am the eldest son of CTRCM Bill Wisniewski. My father served with your father in Cyprus, Japan, Hawaii and the DC area. I met your father a few times as a Navy brat; the last time was during his presiding over my father's retirement in 1977. I am a retired Naval Intelligence officer - because of this, my father and I shared sea (and intelligence) stories over the past 30 years. Invariably, stories involving your father entered into many of my Dad's (and others) sea stories. Recurring themes in all the stories were the reverence his shipmates held for him, his brilliance, his innate team-building ability and his genuine concern for the well-being of his guys.... he was loved by his sailors and Marines. My father's duty stations often paralleled your Dad's (perhaps by design?). My father passed away two days (20 OCT) after your father's passing. In preparing for my father's funeral and rummaging through his photos and memorabilia I ran across many items involving your father. It was with a heavy heart I learned of his passing.... but I also find it somewhat comforting that two shipmates who served together across much of the world go sailing over the horizon together.
Ron Slagle
October 28, 2009
Molly, Terry and Peggy
I served with your father at Kami Seya as his Captain's Writer and later at NSA Ft, Meade. He was the most remarkable man I have ever met. He never forgot a name and made everyone from the lowest rank sailor to his officers feel like they were special. The world is a sadder place with his departure. The values he taught me have served me well throughout my life.
Tom Schram
October 27, 2009
Captain March was my CO at Kamiseya and became a mentor of mine. He picked me as a very young LTJG to move the Non Morse Division to Okinawa. Later in my career when he was DIRNAVSECGRUPAC, he gave me some invaluable advice on what to with my career. I met him years later at a USNA parade and he said to me, "Tom, it's been a long time - what have you been up to?" Leadership was his greatest skill and he was one of the best. "Fair winds and following seas" is the best I can say about him. He will be sorely missed.
October 25, 2009
My husband, Jerry W. Bussing and I had the privilege to know your mother and father while we were stationned in Misawa. Jerry had a deep respect for Admiral March who had also some french comments for me (I am from Nice, France). After retirement,at the reunions, he always had some special words for each one of us he remembered so well.
My most sincere condolences.
Lisa Bussing, Laurel, MD
Rob Marmet
October 25, 2009
Molly, Terry and Peggy,
I was saddened to hear of your father's death. I remember his great sense of humor and warm personality. He was a wonderful man and a great friend to my father. I will always have great memories of the time our families were together and have often marveled at the long lasting bond that our parents had with each other.
Chuck & Arda Rauscher
October 24, 2009
Peggy, Molly and Terry;
You have our sincere condolences on the loss of your father. We will always remember our last conversation with the Admiral during the NCVA reunion in Portland. He always had time for reminiscing with many of the "Cyprus Group" that served under him on the island in 1958-60. He joked during our talk that he had learned many new things over the years about the wild capers of some of the troops back then.
His memory about past events and people is legendary. We recall, when we saw him at the 1991 NCVA reunion in Honolulu, how he immediately greeted Arda, who is from Cyprus and of Armenian descent, with Inchpes es? (How are you?) Remarkable since whe hadn't talked with him since 1960 the year she left the island. An extraordinary person and by far the best CO I had in my entire 20 years in the Security Group.
Chuck & Arda Rauscher
Thomas La Ronde
October 22, 2009
Peggy, Molly, and Terry, My heartfelt condolences on your (and our) loss of a great human being. I served under Capt. March at Kami Seya and Misawa, Japan. As I coached football at both bases he always referred to me as Bear (after, of course, Paul (Bear) Bryant. I don't believe he ever forgot a name or a person in his life.
He came to Fort Meade for my retirement ceremony and I will always remember that.
At my last reenlistment at Misawa, he stood by his desk as I signed the papers and a photo was taken. That photo has a place of honor in my man cave.
Our prayers go to you in rememberance of G.P. March, Radm, USN, Ret.
Eric Qualkenbush
October 22, 2009
I want to offer my deepest condolences to Molly, Terry and Peggy on the loss of your father, who was truly a remarkable man. He was the inspiration for my study of Russian and the career I chose in intelligence. I deeply regret that I never found an opportunity to thank him for the wonderful example he set for me.
Bruce Uberti
October 22, 2009
Admiral March was my Commanding Officer at Kami Seya. I have nothing but fond memories. One day, I was walking from the tunnel to the barracks and then Captain March was driving toward the T in his vintage MG. I snapped to attention and rendered a salute. He smiled and wave vigorously.
Years later, at NSGA Northwest, Admiral March was on his farewell tour and came into our division spaces. He looked at me and said, "Petty Officer Uberti! It's been a while since Kami Seya. How are you?"
A consummate Naval Officer who genuinely cared about sailors and the mission.
I will miss him tremendously. His legacy is the reason the Navy endures.
Dave and Judy Mail
October 22, 2009
Judy and I send our deepest sympathies to all three of you. Our lives were much richer for having known and interacted with your father. He was a true friend and a great teacher and leader.
Dave Dalton
October 22, 2009
My condolences to the family. A great loss. I served with Admiral March in Bremerhaven, Germany, Nicosia, Cyprus and Washington,D. C. He was truly a great man and it was my privilege to have been associated with a fellow linquist and such a fine gentleman.
Judy Wagner
October 21, 2009
I was privileged to meet Lt. and Mrs. March on the island of Cyprus in 1958. Their wedding gift to Bob and me was a leather album with an embossed drawing of the island. I have cherished that album until this day. Saumie wrote "our warmest, if belated greetings."
I never think of Admiral March without thinking of Saumie. They both were the most outstanding, intelligent, perceptive, warm people I have ever met.
Molly, Terry and Peggy, you have my sincere condolences on your loss.
I can picture your Mom and Dad together in the "Great Beyond" and they are happy to be reunited.
You and your families are in my prayers.
October 21, 2009
Pat March was unique. Brilliant in thought, an epitome in leadership, a polyglot, and ever a Naval Officer in J P Jone's "nicest sense," his example sparked enthusiasm among juniors and high respect among peers. Most of all, though, was his exceptional treatment of "the crew." From commanding officer to lowest sailor in a given unit, Pat was interested in its morale, training, and its enthusiasm. His leadership was key - and he knew how to lead. Farewell, shipmate.
CAPT Steve Myers, USN (Ret) in Bedford, PA
Owen Englander
October 21, 2009
It was my privilege to serve as Pat's XO at Kamiseya and then at Misawa, and as his Deputy in OpNav. The world is a poorer place for his passing from it.
Nancy Nell and I send our deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences to Peggy, Molly and Terry and the rest of the family.
John & Peggy Moore
October 21, 2009
Molly, Terry, and Peggy, We first met you Dad and Mom at at Kamiseya and over the years saw them at Ft. Meade, in Hawaii, Monterey, and for the past several years at the "Navy Group" dinner parties--wonderful folks. We enjoyed your Dad's curry and always looked forward to some great "sea stories" and to other interesting conversations about his tours in
England, Japan, Cyprus, Morocco etc.
We have missed Saumie very much and our fond memories of "Pat" will long endure.
Our sincerest condolences,
John and Peggy Moore
Ken Cadran
October 21, 2009
A wonderful person. I first met him as
part of the Pueblo Debrief Team. Later,
he was my C.O. in Misawa, Japan. He had that wonderful knack to be able to relate to anyone, no matter what their stance in life. An outstanding Naval officer. A
fine human being. Am glad I got to speak
with him at the Cryptologic Veterans reunion in Portland this past September.
October 21, 2009
We will miss Pat as we have missed Saumie. Pat lived across the street form us when he moved to Oldport. He and Saumie had us over for dinner many times. Pat always had lively stories to tell and we had nice evenings together. They were both strong contributers to the community and enriched the lives of those who were fortunate to have contact with them. I don't think I ever met anyone who was smarter or had more interests.
He will be missed by us and his many friends. No-one else will probably ever make me a 007.
Our sincere condolences,
Val and Wes Kuhn
Lahni Allen
October 21, 2009
So sorry to loose such a wonderful person from our midst. Pat brought much wisdom, insight, dedication and 'presence' to all he did. His diplomacy, respect for others and kindness were hallmarks of his nature, and just a part of what we'll miss.
Our love and prayers go out to Molly, Peggy, Terry and their families.
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