Keeping the blogosphere posted on the goings on of the world of submarines since late 2004... and mocking and belittling general foolishness wherever it may be found. Idaho's first and foremost submarine blog. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me; don't call me at home.)

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Sailor, Rest Your Oar

The Navy Submarine family suffered a great loss recently with the sudden passing of CDR (Sel) Chris Riley, assigned to PEO Submarines in D.C. CDR Riley was on vacation with his wife and three children at Disney World when he died in his sleep last Sunday.

From a TEAM SUBMARINE update:
Chris' funeral will be in St Louis, Missouri on Thursday, January 3rd at 1200. NAVSEA will send a small official party to represent Chris' co-workers at the funeral.
There will be a memorial service in DC hosted by Chris' church on Saturday, January 5th at 1100. The entire NAVSEA family is invited to honor Chris and pay their respects to his family at this event. It will be held at the Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1225 R St, in Northwest Washington DC. Further details will be provided next week.
I expect a fund will be set up shortly to help the family, particularly for the education of Chris' three young children. In the meantime, condolences may be sent to:

CDR Chris Riley Memoriam
PEO SUBMARINES (PMS 450)
614 Sicard St SE
Washington Navy yard, DC 20376-7004

Update 1010 30 Dec: An ALSUBFOR message released yesterday has some biographical information on CDR Riley:
Chris graduated from the Naval Academy in 1992, a member of 13th Company. Following his commissioning, he attended Syracuse University where he earned a Masters Degree, and then entered the nuclear power training pipeline. After sea tours on USS L. Mendel Rivers (SSN 686) and USS Atlanta (SSN 712), and a tour as a watch officer at COMSUBLANT, Chris transitioned to the Engineering Duty Officer community. He served for three years with the Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Groton, Connecticut and then worked in Program Management under PEO Subs. Chris served on three programs, the Advanced Undersea Systems Program, the SSGN Conversion Program, and the Virginia Class Submarine Program. As the Virginia Test and Evaluation manager, he was responsible for the recent successful completion of lockout trunk testing on USS Hawaii in October of 2007.
Although I didn't work directly with Chris, I knew him "around the shipyard" when I was Eng on PCU Jimmy Carter in newcon; he was always well-respected on the waterfront and known as a "straight-shooter", which is the highest compliment you can give an EDO.

Update 1726 31 Dec 2007: Chapomatic offers some personal remembrances of CDR Riley here.

10 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Prayers to his family. I couldn't imagine the shock and what they are going to have to endure for the future.

God Bless Them.

Jim C.

12/30/2007 12:07 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A little off topic here but I came across this photo today.

http://ahc.uwyo.edu/onlinecollections/exhibits/blair/ww2.htm

Dolphins on the sleeve?

I'd never heard of it before.

12/30/2007 1:04 PM

 
Blogger Chap said...

Yeah, that comment was off topic--and pretty inconsiderate.

Joel, I've hotlinked your photo of our shipmate and stolen a chunk of your post in order to help get the word out. If you object, just let me know.

A good man, gone too soon.

12/31/2007 1:11 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had the privilege to work with Chris on various projects at the shipyard and at Navsea.
He was always a gentleman and a professional.
He will be missed as a co-worker and friend.

My condolences go out to his family on their loss.

12/31/2007 7:47 AM

 
Blogger miss j said...

Such sad news for all of us. Thank you so much for providing an address to send my condolences formally.

12/31/2007 11:47 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I went to high school with Chris. He was truely a great guy. gone to soon does not fully describe this sad time.

1/01/2008 12:05 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I served on the 686 with Mr. Riley. Probably one of the most intelligent JO's I ever worked with. I am very sorry to hear of his passing.

M-Div LCPO, 96-99

1/02/2008 6:19 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I went to high school with Chris and have fond memories of his kindness and great good humour. Condolences to his family. Leo

1/03/2008 6:26 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I trained Chris as his Shift Engineer at the S8G Prototype. He was a superior individual. I am deeply saddened by his passing and for his family.

God Bless.

1 Thess 4:13-14

Woods

1/04/2008 8:54 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I served with Chris in the 686 wardroom. A very good man and I am saddened to hear of his passing.

Gregg

1/14/2008 7:16 AM

 

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