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Richard Hyser Obituary
He was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, an alum of WVU, and a lifetime resident of Hampton Roads after becoming a Navy SEAL in 1986. He was a Persian Gulf War veteran.
He excelled in swimming, becoming an All American swimmer at Radnor High School, and a national champion for WVU's men's swim team, and later qualified and competed in the 1984 Olympic trials in butterfly, earning his enduring/ endearing nickname Hydro.
He retired from NSW in 2007 to become a civilian instructor for the sniper program until his diagnosis in 2018.
He is predeceased by his parents Ann and Charles Hyser. Survived by his wife Deborah, children Ben and Tim, brother Peter and niece Jessica.
During the grueling years of his illness, he was most generously cared for by the exceptional rehab team subsidized by The Navy SEAL Foundation for which we will be forever grateful, as well as SEAL Future Fund and Authority Care Foundation volunteers who helped him enjoy a better quality of life from hyperbaric treatments. Please consider a donation to these organizations in lieu of flowers.
A memorial service is planned for 9/7/24 @ 11am at the Lesner Bridge Park, followed by a celebration of his colorful life @ Froggies on Shore Dr. from 12-2pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
James A DiMaria
December 10, 2024
Hydro I knew you in st-2 reserves you did it all and one of the fastest swimmers and runners I've ever seen. You were a true team guy. From your friend and team mate Jimmy DiMaria. I'm glad I knew you brother.
Mason Frisbee
September 6, 2024
I first met Rick as he became my Sniper Instructor back in 2013. The amount of knowledge he held was profound. It was an honor to have known him and call him a friend.
Kevin Buhler
September 5, 2024
I met him during a Christmas family visit. I'm one of Connie's sons and I still talk about the horderves I had at Rick and Aunt Debbie's house to this day!
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Andy McElfresh
September 1, 2024
There is so much to say about Rick and the influence he had on me. And still does. He was bigger than life, and showed me how much bigger life could be. I am so grateful he was my friend.
Jonny K
August 29, 2024
I just learned that Hydro passed away. He was an amazing sniper instructor and I was very lucky to learn from him. He was such a funny and whitty guy, and pushed his students to reach their max potential. You will be missed, HYdro.
Loree Eysaman
August 28, 2024
Rick was so good to our son Michael P Eysaman and I honestly think he inspired his Navy career. He always Rick was such a cool guy and to a 10 year old he was a hero. RIP Rick and so sorry for your loss to his family.
Keith Pagel
August 26, 2024
If anyone spent any time at the Sniper School during his long tenure, his story about Turkey-Zilla is legendary. "There I was.......sitting in the truck and looked over at it.....eye to eye I tell ya. He was as tall as the truck window.....No kidding." Thank you for letting me be your friend, Hydro. Till Valhalla....
Al Kolb
August 26, 2024
Hydro and I got teamed up as shooting buddies for the sniper course. As they were teaching us how to call wind they specifically stated that no one could see a 1/2 minute of wind. First day on the KDR range he started calling wind in 1/2 minutes, I argued with him, you can't see that, he told me to hold what he called. I figured it out and shot better than I ever had or will again. With him as my spotter I couldn't miss, except for when I didn't listen. He was an amazing human being and lived on a different plane then the rest of us.
Karney Cacciavillano-McNear
August 26, 2024
Rick and I grew up in the same area within the same swim community. Rick was PA State Champion and All-American in the 100 Fly and a few years later I was PA state runner-up and All-American. For years, Rick held the 100 Fly record at WVU while the same time I held the 200 Fly record at the same university. Fate would lead us to meet, train and serve together onboard an aircraft carrier in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea during the Bosnia and Iraq conflicts. Despite the fast pace of life, I was extremely fortunate enough to have remained friends with Rick until the very end. Rick was truly one in a million and I´m beyond thankful to have had some unforgettable experiences together. Love you, Rick
Carl Flanagan
August 26, 2024
I was a BUDs instructor when Hydro came through. In a sea of bald heads, he stood out, mostly because of his physical prowess and sense of humor. Even in the dark times Hydro was a light for his classmates. You lived well big guy.....now rest well.
Dale McClellan
August 26, 2024
Love ya brother sorry we didn't visit - see you soon, but not yet.
Dale & Tori
Robert N
August 26, 2024
Those of you who know me by nickname, "RED" will know I spent over two decades working with and around my friend Rick. Back in the 90s, prepare to chuckle.. My first run in with Rick was during a run-swim-run. He flew past me in the swim portion and as I was catching up to him on the run, I could hear him sucking in all the air around us due to his lung capacity. Rick was like a Clydesdale horse and a phenom athlete. Rick and I were swim buddies, diving partners, and then celebrated a significant milestone promotion together at SDVT-2. I'm truly thankful to have been his friend. God Bless his family. I will miss my friend and teammate.
Douglas Carney
August 26, 2024
Swimming with him at Martin's dam . . . One tenacious dude!
Donnie White
August 26, 2024
We all enjoyed shooting with the family at Dixiebowmen archery range . Always a fun time watching Timmy ,Ben and my son Logan grow up . Rick was a great man . He will be missed by all he knew. Donnie White . Dixiebowmen
Buford Boone
August 26, 2024
I got to know, respect and admire Hydro. I believe I'm a better person for having been his friend.
When he was first diagnosed I contacted a neurosurgeon friend and was told "If you want to see him again, do it in the next couple of months".
I paid him a visit and we had a bunch of good laughs. He told me he was "going to be famous for beating this".
Hydro's strength and tenacity were such that he lived much longer than my Dr. friend estimated. I even had another chance for a "Proof of life visit".
He was an amazing SEAL Warrior.
As you guys say, Fair Winds and Following Seas my friend.
Jay Muscheck
August 26, 2024
Working with him on a cedar roof
Jennifer Lynch
August 26, 2024
Jennifer Lynch
August 26, 2024
Jennifer Lynch
August 26, 2024
Jennifer Lynch
August 26, 2024
Jennifer Lynch
August 26, 2024
Jennifer Lynch
August 26, 2024
I knew eventually this day would come. I knew one day I would have to tell my buddy, goodbye. I was only apart of his life for three years, but what a wild, crazy and fun ride it was. I was asked by my friend Sara if I could help with a Veteran who was a Retired Navy Seal to get back and forth to HBOT treatments. This would be my 4th gentleman through them and so I agreed to do it. Our first phone call was full of information, but mostly laughs. By the time he finished his first 10 dives or so I was all in. I don't have many elderly or older folks in my life. All my parents, grandparents and the majority of my aunts and uncles have passed away. In a moment I gained this beautiful, crazy, hilarious Uncle. I took him back and forth to his appointments. We went for lunch dates, where he got upset because he couldn't pay and I said I think you have paid for enough in life its my turn now buddy. LOL We went to Starbucks. We went to Chic Fila, Wawa and lots of other places. We stopped for Peanut M&M's and we went for lots of walks to get him fresh air. He would tell me about his sons, about his beautiful wife and how he was the luckiest man alive for meeting her. He would tell me stories about his dog, growing up, his college days, shooting a bow, his swimming days, his brother, his life in the Seals and how proud he was of his life and all he had accomplished. More then anything he was proud of his sons and the men they were becoming. He would serenade me with his harmonica and we would have jam out sessions in the Telsa. We would listen to his favorite music and he would tell me little things about the singers or bands that I had no knowledge of. We watched Yellowstone together and we had movie days waiting for doctors appointments or just passing time. He told me to reach out to Elon and tell him everything he was going through and see if he could get a Telsa donated to him with Self Driving Capabilities so he could get chauffeured around. I laughed and told him I drove a Tesla, however Elon and I weren't that friendly lol. I am beyond blessed to have known Hydro. He made such an impression on my life. The three years of time that I got to have in my life, I would never change. He touched my heart in so many ways. He loved my husband and my kids. He made me laugh constantly. He had such an amazing whit to him and he brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people. I know God had a spot ready for him, I just hope he was ready for all the laughs. Love you buddy and I'm going to miss you more then you will ever know.
Kyle Matthews
August 25, 2024
His stories! I appreciated his thoughtfulness and professionalism through training. He will be missed!
Bob Schoultz
August 23, 2024
I didn't know RIck "Hydro" well, but served with him in Scotland and in Little Creek - I was quite a bit senior to RIck but he always came to my attention as an extremely talented SEAL, great swimmer, and most imporrtantly a guy with a great, postiive, uplifting attitude. That was evident in his posts while struggling with his disease. RIP good man Rick Hyser - you lived well and powerfully and positively influenced so many people.
Charlie Brown
August 22, 2024
During the suck of BUD/s, Hydro taught me a valuable lesson which has kept me alive ever since: humour is your best defence. Thanks, Hydro
Ron Gorsline
August 22, 2024
I remember Hydro checking into SEAL Team TWO. Funny guy. His signature Roman nose was something else. He was great swimmer.
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