Cmdr. Richard A. Groder ’58

Richard A. “Dick” Groder, 69, departed on eternal patrol, Oct. 10, 2006. Cmdr. Groder graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, the U.S. Naval Submarine School and the SSBN Weapons School. During 1968, he was a member of the commissioning crew of the USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN 631) and made five deterrent patrols from Guam. In 1968, he graduated from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Subsequently, he served as executive officer of the USS Atule (SS 403) and commanding officer of the USS Barracuda (SST 3). His decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.

After his Naval service, Cmdr. Groder attended Old Dominion University and received his degree in computer science. He worked for Unidyne Corp. as a computer programmer/analyst until he retired in 1995.

His wife Mary; their son, Jack of Norfolk; daughters, Margot Pelekai and Elizabeth Gishi; son, Richard Groder; and six grandchildren, all of Hawaii, survive him. Surviving siblings include, Kenneth Groder and wife Faye, Robert Groder and wife Marlene, Patricia Sparks and husband Richard, Hilda Heselton and husband William and William Groder and wife Kathy.