Raymond "Chip" Dudderar

Dudderar, Raymond Albert "Chip"

Raymond "Chip" Albert Dudderar, Jr., of California, Maryland, recently died. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Linda Jane Dudderar (nee Nertney). Born in Chestertown, Maryland on November, 12, 1946, to R.A. "Al" Dudderar and Frances "Babe" Harris Dudderar Brandt, Chip spent most of his youth in Salisbury, Maryland, where he graduated from Wicomico High School in 1964 and participated in numerous sports—football, wrestling, baseball, and swimming.

In 1968, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, exceling both academically and socially. Chip reported to flight school shortly after graduation. After earning his wings, he flew the A-7 Corsair II in the fleet, including a combat deployment in Vietnam. He also had an exchange tour with the Marines, flying the AV-8 Harrier. In 1978, he was assigned to the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland and completed his training in 1979. He later transitioned to the F/A-18, commanded VFA-87, a deployed squadron of Hornets, and went on to have a distinguished career in developmental flight test and procurement of naval aircraft. He spent much of his career at Patuxent River's Naval Air Test Center where he commanded Strike Aircraft Test Directorate and the Test Wing Atlantic. Chip was deeply honored to serve alongside the men and women he was privileged to know during his 32 years in the Navy.

After retiring from the Navy, Chip and Linda settled in their home on the Patuxent River. Chip continued to serve his profession as a consultant to both government and business entities. As an avid outdoorsman, Chip pursued hunting and fishing, hiking, biking, and walking the shores and marshes of the Patuxent River. He tirelessly advocated for responsible and sustainable conservation of the Chesapeake Bay and other environmental concerns via his support of the Coastal Conservation Association, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Myrtle Point Park in St. Mary's County, Maryland.

Chip's zeal for these and myriad other causes was only surpassed by his love of family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. After his grandchildren were born, he was "Poppy". Poppy frequently could be found building and fixing things for his grandbabies. He found great joy in sharing his interests with his children and grandchildren. Chip and Linda also enjoyed traveling the world with their wonderful friends over the years. Chip counted his family and friends as his greatest blessings.

In addition to his wife, Chip is also survived by daughter Heidi Dudderar and her daughter Jordan, of Edgewater, Maryland, son Kyle Dudderar and his wife, Celeste Dudderar (nee Grow) and their sons Cole, Jude, Harris, of Longmont, Colorado, sisters Dian Dudderar Hamilton of Crumpton, Maryland, Catherine Duda and her husband John, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and their sons John (Annie) and Matthew, and Jody Dudderar and her husband Bernardo Valdes, of New York, New York, stepbrother, Steven Brandt, nephew Jud Brandt and niece Anna Brandt Sizemore. He was predeceased by his parents, stepfather Walter C. Brandt, brother Gregory Harris Dudderar, nephew Matthew DiMaggio, brother-in-law, Herbert Hamilton, and stepsister-in-law Julee Brandt.

His passing is deeply mourned by family, cousins, and many friends in near and far off places. A celebration of life will be held at Chip and Linda's home in California, Maryland on October 14, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.