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Perch Base
Dick Noreika
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OBITUARY
Capt. Richard John Noreika, USN (ret)

 

Capt. Richard John Noreika, USN (ret)

Capt. Richard John Noreika, USN (ret)

 

Perch Base Holland Club Member and Life Member Capt. Richard John Noreika, USN (Retired), 85, passed away April 5, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer's and dementia. Richard was born May 25, 1937, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Betty) Noreika in Binghamton, N.Y.
After graduating from high school, Richard earned a degree in engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Class of '59, 3rd Company. Richard proudly served his country as an officer in the U.S. Navy for 26 years. He had a distinguished naval career serving on the destroyer the USS Bailey and many submarines including the USS Patrick Henry, USS Tinosa, USS Batfish (as the executive officer), USS Kamehameha (as the commanding officer), and the USS Michigan Trident submarine (as the commanding officer). Richard was assigned sea duty for every Navy assignment from the time he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1959, until he took command of the Trident Refit Facility in Bangor, Wash. in 1982. He spent over seven years underwater and was away from his family over 65 percent of the time. Richard's last duty of assignment was at the Pentagon as head of electronics in Washington, D.C. Richard's individual accomplishments are too numerous to mention here. Richard was very proud to have served in the U.S. Navy, and his family was just as proud of him. Richard's only regret was that it was a difficult life for his family.
After retiring from the Navy, Richard was successful in his civilian life, eventually retiring to Carefree, Ariz., where he enjoyed tennis, golf and an active lifestyle. He was also very involved with the local Lutheran church and veterans' group.
Richard is survived by his son Scott Noreika and his wife Sharon of Perth, Australia; his son Brian Noreika and his wife Lynn of Emmaus, Pa.; his daughter Lori Catrambone and her husband Joseph of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and his son Kent Noreika and wife Stacey of Mystic; and nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Jana Sullivan of Fort Collins, Colo.; and the mother of his children, Barbara Pascoe of Groton. He is predeceased by his brother David.
Richard will be inurned at the Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, Md., in a family service at a later date.

Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.

Capt. Dick Noreika's first assignment upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1959, the destroyer USS Bailey (DD‑713)

Capt. Dick Noreika's first assignment upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1959, the destroyer USS Bailey (DD‑713).

Capt. Dick Noreika's first submarine and qual boat, USS Patrick Henry, (SSBN‑599). (1963-1966)

Capt. Dick Noreika's first submarine and qual boat, USS Patrick Henry, (SSBN‑599). (1963-1966)

Capt. Dick Noreika's second boat, the USS Tinosa (SSN‑606). He qualified as Engineer on the Tinosa. (1966-1969)

Capt. Dick Noreika's second boat, the USS Tinosa (SSN‑606). He qualified as Engineer on the Tinosa. (1966-1969)

Capt. Dick Noreika's next boat, the USS Batfish (SSN‑681) as Executive Officer. Qualified for command of submarines. (1971-1973)

Capt. Dick Noreika's next boat, the USS Batfish (SSN‑681) as Executive Officer. Qualified for command of submarines. (1971-1973)

Capt. Dick Noreika was Commanding Officer on the USS Kamehameha (SSBN‑642). (1974-1978)

Capt. Dick Noreika was Commanding Officer on the USS Kamehameha (SSBN‑642). (1974-1978)

Capt. Dick Noreika was Commanding Officer on the USS Michigan (SSBN‑727) during construction. (1980-1981)

Capt. Dick Noreika was Commanding Officer on the USS Michigan (SSBN‑727) during construction. (1980-1981)

Some photos of Capt. Dick Noreika at various Perch Base events.

Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Annual Awards Banquet, 1/11/2020.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Annual Awards Banquet, 1/11/2020.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony, 12/07/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony, 12/07/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Phoenix Veterans' Day Parade, 11/11/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Phoenix Veterans' Day Parade, 11/11/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Anthem Veterans' Parade, 11/9/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Anthem Veterans' Parade, 11/9/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Rock Springs Cafe between the Anthem & Black Canyon City Veterans' Parades, 11/9/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Rock Springs Cafe between the Anthem & Black Canyon City Veterans' Parades, 11/9/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika doing a hula dance at LivGenerations, 9/2/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika doing a hula dance at LivGenerations, 9/2/19.

Capt. Dick Noreika was a speaker at the Western Region Roundup, Laughlin, NV, in 2019, 03/2019.

Capt. Dick Noreika was a speaker at the Western Region Roundup, Laughlin, NV, in 2019, 03/2019.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Annual Awards Banquet, 1/19/2019.

Capt. Dick Noreika at the Annual Awards Banquet, 1/19/2019.

 

SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.

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