John Borchardt

John A. Borchardt CHESAPEAKE - Retired U.S. Navy Capt. John Andrew "Andy" Borchardt, 56, of Eagle Pointe, died June 26, 2009, peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 34 years, Debra Lynn Borchardt; sons, Eric Walter Calise Borchardt and Brian Andrew Borchardt and his wife Hollie Michele Borchardt; and by too many friends and family members to ever possibly recount. Andy was born in San Pedro, Calif., to the late Walter and Dolores Borchardt. After growing up in San Pedro, Andy went on to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and 30 years of service to his country as a career submariner. He served all over the globe with homeports ranging from Connecticut to Hawaii to Yokosuka, Japan. His tours included five submarines of which he commanded USS Aspro (SSN 648) and multiple shore facilities of which he commanded the Submarine Intermediate Maintenance Facility. He was a highly decorated veteran and an honors graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School and National War College. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Andy commenced a second career with the TSM Corporation where he spearheaded the conversion of USS Georgia (SSBN 729) and USS Florida (SSBN 728) from ballistic to tomahawk missile submarines. He also created and facilitated the Submarine Maintenance Course for the chief petty officers and officers of ships slated for shipyard maintenance periods. Andy's professional accomplishments pale in comparison to those in his personal life. He created friends and adopted family everywhere he went. He was the life of the party once he walked into the room and he had the ability to bring a smile to even the dourest person. His intelligence and wisdom were something that allowed him to talk sports, politics, economics or military policy with the greatest of ease. His legacy to all of us is that you need to live life to the fullest and to love what you do, because that was how he tackled everything he ever did. He was the greatest man that many of us ever knew, and he will be remembered and loved by all who knew him. Memorial services will be held at Naval Air Station Oceana, Chapel of the Good Shepard, 803 D St., Building 330, Virginia Beach, VA 23460 at noon Thursday, July 2. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.