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2016 SESSION

16105587D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 376
Offered February 26, 2016
Celebrating the life of Richard S. Erdt.
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Patron-- Jones
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WHEREAS, Richard S. Erdt of Eclipse, a proud veteran of the United States military, professional waterman, tugboat operator, expert equestrian, and a devoted father, died on January 22, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Richard Erdt was born in Richmond and graduated from Gloucester High School in 1962, where he was a star in football and track and was also voted most talented in his senior class; he joined the United States Navy in October 1962 and served in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1966, receiving the Vietnam Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, as a man of many interests and talents, Richard Erdt liked being involved and helping people; he taught Sunday school in the Middlesex County village of Waterview and was Sunday school superintendent, where he taught his students to play the guitar; and

WHEREAS, Richard Erdt worked with the Boy Scouts of America in Waterview and later became an instructor in seamanship and celestial navigation at Fort Eustis, now known as Joint Base Langley-Eustis; and

WHEREAS, for many years, Richard Erdt was a professional waterman who was known as Captain Deepwater Dick; he used 26-foot-long oyster tongs so he could work in deeper water instead of the standard 16-foot tongs—the nickname stayed with him for the rest of his life; and

WHEREAS, Richard Erdt later became a tugboat captain and developed a reputation as one of the best in the Chesapeake Bay region; he was frequently sought for his ability to safely navigate the Chesapeake Bay and the waters that feed into it; and

WHEREAS, on land, Richard Erdt was an accomplished equestrian and had a great love for horses, readily sharing his talent and knowledge with others; and

WHEREAS, Richard Erdt, who left a lasting impression on his many friends, will be greatly missed by his fiancée, Mary; children and stepchildren, Stephanie, Jenny, Shane, Alex, Ashley, Chad, and Jeremy, and their families; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Richard S. Erdt of Eclipse, a proud veteran of the United States military, professional waterman, tugboat operator, expert equestrian, and a devoted father; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Richard S. Erdt as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.