Richard Edwards Rumble

1922 - 2022

Richard Edwards Rumble, a retired naval person, died on 1 March 2022, at his home in Virginia Beach, VA. The son of retired Rear Admiral Cyril A. Rumble and Eileen A. Rumble, both deceased, was born in San Diego, California, 26 October, 1922. His beloved wife, Bernice Blease Rumble, of fifty-six years pre-deceased him dying on 1 December, 2007; however he is survived by his four children â€" Richard Jr. and his wife Mary Louise, Rebecca and her husband Rodney, Daniel and his wife Nancy, and Laura and her husband Bob. Altogether among the four couples there are nine grandchildren â€" Christian, Sarah, Hannah, Ann Mason, Matthew, Morgan, Elizabeth, Megan and Reghan. And seven great grandchildren â€" Sanders, Bennett, Piper, William, Fox, Eliza, and Margaret. His sister, Jean, and her husband A. Richard O'Connor who formerly lived in Fort Myers, Florida as well as his younger brother James Douglas, and his wife Althea, who formerly lived in Gainesville, Florida, all predeceased him.

Following a youthful life of adventure and travel as a navy junior, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1941 and completed the course in 1944, graduation with the USNA Class of'45. There followed duty on the USS Salt Lake City during WWII, flight training and subsequent flying assignments including Test Pilot School, Command of an Attack Squadron and an Air Wing. He also commanded the fleet oiler USS Marias and the carrier USS America. He was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict as well as WWII. As a Flag officer, he was the Commandant of the First and Fifth Naval Districts, Commander of the Naval Safety Center, Commander of the Naval Bases in Newport, Rhode Island and in Norfolk, Virginia, Deputy Commander Naval Forces Europe and Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic prior to his retirement in 1981. After his retirement from the Navy, he was appointed and served seven years as the first Director of the Old Coast Guard Life Saving Station on the oceanfront at Virginia Beach. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Swindler's Golf Association at NAS Oceana.

In addition to his BSEE from the US Naval Academy, he earned an MS in International Relations from GWU while attending the National War College. For his involvement in the creation of the USS Constitution Museum in Boston, the Trustees presented him the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Distinguished Service. Other military awards were the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Service, two Legions of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.

During his tour as Commandant in Boston, he persuaded the National Park Service to establish a national naval park on a portion of the site of the former Boston Naval Shipyard to provide a permanent berth for USS Constitution as well as the newly created USS Constitution Museum.

There will be a visitation at H.D. Oliver Funeral Home, Laskin Road Chapel, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, 18 March 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1404 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 at 11:00 am on Saturday, 19 March 2022 with Reverend Father Esteban "Steve" DeLeon, CHC, officiating. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a date pending. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Star of the Sea School Fund, or the USS Constitution Museum. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.