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Richard Riddell Obituary

RIDDELL

RICHARD A. RIDDELL RADM, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Richard Anderson "Dick" Riddell, U.S. Navy, Retired, died peacefully in his Arlington, Virginia home on May 27, 2022 at age 81. The cause of death was Parkinson's disease. He served in the Navy's nuclear submarine force (1962-1998), retiring as a two-star admiral, and was the last commanding officer of the USS NAUTILUS, the world's first nuclear powered submarine.



Dick Riddell commanded Nautilus from 1976 until its decommissioning in March, 1980. He then worked for the Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Admiral Hyman Rickover, father of the nuclear navy. Dick also served as Commander, Submarine Squadron One in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Later, he served simultaneously as Commander, Submarine Group Nine and Naval Base Seattle. As Commander of Group Nine, he was responsible for operational readiness of all U.S. ballistic submarines in the Pacific. In addition to service on three other nuclear submarines in his career, Dick Riddell had four tours at the Pentagon in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, concluding as the Director of Test, Evaluation and Technology Requirements and the Navy representative to NATO's Naval Armaments Committee. His awards included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit (five awards).



Following retirement from the Navy, Dick was Director of Underseas Programs at General Dynamics' corporate headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. He retired in December, 2006 because of advancing Parkinson's disease symptoms. In retirement, he served on the Accokeek Foundation Board of Directors and was an active participant in programs of the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA). In 2013 he published his autobiography, Through My Periscope (available on Amazon). All proceeds from the book went to support the PFNCA.



Dick Riddell was born November 20,1940, in Cambridge, Maryland, the only child of Edward Leo Riddell, Jr. and Katherine Insley Riddell. He grew up in the Washington, DC area and graduated from Wheaton (Maryland) high school. Upon graduation in 1958, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated in June, 1962 and was accepted into the Navy Nuclear Submarine Force.



Dick is survived by Anne Price Fortney, his wife of 36 years, and his children Joel Riddell and Amy Gunter, daughter-in-law Dawn Riddell, son-in-law Michael Gunter, grandchildren Chase Riddell, Sophia Robinson (and her husband David), Michaela Gunter, Grayson Gunter, and Walker Gunter, as well as his West Highland Terriers, Marlowe and Jenny. An early marriage to Joan Barnhill ended in divorce.



Dick's survivors also include his caregivers Fathia Adams, Fatmata Neal, Alie Thullah, Manju Kabba, and Michael Williams, whose skill and dedication enabled Dick to manage Parkinson's disease in comfort and with dignity in his home until his death, twenty-five years after initial diagnosis.



Dick pursued a wide range of interests with his wife Anne, including photography, wood-working, home remodeling (he was a superb draftsman), and while his health permitted, jogging, hiking, scuba diving, cycling, and world travel. He regaled his grandchildren with his cartoon drawings and zany sense of humor. Kind and cheerful by nature, he always said the two important things in life were "to have a good time and help other people." He lived those words through generosity to family, friends, and those less fortunate, and, as another officer on the Nautilus remarked, Dick showed you could have a good time while commanding a nuclear-powered submarine. (The Nautilus is open to visitors at the U.S. Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut.)



RADM Riddell will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Memorial contributions would be welcome at the Accokeek Foundation, (accokeek.org) and The Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area (parkinsonfoundation.org).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Jul. 22 to Jul. 24, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Riddell

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Clarke Brinckerhoff

September 16, 2022

Dick is a special memory for me. He graciously guided my wife (retired Navy Captain) and me around the Navy base at Pearl Harbor when we visited. He was engaging as a person when we visited with him and Anne when he was in DC. Really there are no words to describe a man who will be greatly missed.

Howard Uhal

September 6, 2022

RIP, Skipper !!!

WILLIAM KIRTEN GAUTIER

August 12, 2022

Often in the Navy you work for people you deeply respect. Dick Riddell was one of those officers. Dick was brilliant, capable, and very personable. He was a true friend. Fair winds Dick, you will be missed.

Radm Ray Jones, USN (ret)

July 31, 2022

Anne & family,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. I have known Dick throughout his entire career. We first met at USNA in 1958, he a new plebe and I, a second classman. I am so pleased to have served with him and been his friend. He was a superb submarine officer and who served his country with confidence and grace throughout the cold war. His service, marked by great competence and humility, will be missed. I have great memories of our interactions that I will always treasurer. At last, may he rest in peace.

John knubel

July 28, 2022

Dick was (is still - through his continued example) an asset to his family and country). A person who by the Grace of God, helped prevent WWW three.

Judith Neibrief

July 25, 2022

My condolences to Dick's family, caregivers, and other friends who will miss him.

Al Konetzni

July 24, 2022

Ann and Family,
We are so saddened at the loss of Admiral Dick Riddell.
I worked for Dick in the Pentagon from 1990 to 1991 as his Deputy in the Submarine Directorate. He was truly one of the most thoughtful officers that I ever had the pleasure to work for. His positive attitude, his care for all of us, and his devotion to our Nation were unmatched. He will truly be missed.
I hope that the Family's wonderful memories of this wonderful man will provide the strength to endure these most difficult days.
Our condolences and prayers,
Al and missy Konetzni

Jim Sandman

July 22, 2022

Dear Anne, family and friends of Admiral Riddell,
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans, we offer our sincere condolences at Dick´s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are always saddened whenever a fellow "Bubblehead" departs on Eternal Patrol. He served with honor on four nuclear submarines, including as the last Commanding Officer of USS Nautilus SSN-571.
To our "Brother-of-the-Phin" we say, "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. Fair Winds and Following Seas." Thank you for your service to our country.
Anne and family... "may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV).
Jim Sandman, FTC(SS) Ret,
National Chaplain, USSVI.

Judy and Clarke Brinckerhoff

July 22, 2022

Ann- Clarke and I send our best. Dick was a superb Naval Officer, and gentleman. Please let us know Arlington plans.

Kenneth Hebert

July 22, 2022

I was on his staff at squadron one. May this good man Rest In Peace

Sylvia Hunt

July 22, 2022

Dick was an amazing person. I was privileged to know him

SKIP AND LINDA BOWMAN

July 22, 2022

A FANTASTIC OFFICER AND GENTLEMAN. ONE OF THE NAVY'S AND SUBMARINE FORCE'S VERY BEST. HE IS MISSED. BEST TO ANNE AND FAMILY.

Dan Capron

July 22, 2022

I am very sorry for your loss. I served with Admiral Riddell on the OPNAV Staff. A great leader and a greater human being. We have the watch!!

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