Posted on 03/17/2018
Richard A "Dad" Dadisman (Mar. 22nd 2923-Jan. 6, 2018)
CDR RICHARD A "DAD" DADISMAN, USN/retired "Dad" was born at home in Pratt, KS and attended high school and Junior College in Hutchinson, KS. He was an Eagle Scout, and spent summers as a canoe guide at a Boy Scout camp in Minnesota. His boyhood wish was granted when he attended the Naval Academy and graduated 3 years later due to WWII with the class of 1947. The Commander served proudly in the Navy for 30 years as an early jet fighter pilot during the Korean War and as a pioneer in Guided Missile Maintenance and Naval Space Surveillance. For over 30 years, the NAVSAT system he built in 1964 was considered the "state of the art" navigation system prior to GPS. After retirement "Dad" spent 20 years as a space analyst for Lockheed Martin in San Jose, CA. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years Marion Seibold; devoted children, Kim (Marty) Wager, Richard (Cindy) Dadisman III, Shawn (Kevin Rager) Dadisman, Cassie (Mike) Howder, Stacey (Steve) King, Tina (Chris) Smith; treasured grandchildren, Morgan Wager, Kat (Erin) Preston-Wager, Richard Dadisman IV, Laura Dadisman, Matt (Allison) Howder, Joe Howder, Josh Smith, Jessie King, Lexi Howder, Scottie King, Andrew Smith and Julia King; and cherished great grandchildren, Natalie Wager, Miles Preston-Wager and Anna Howder. Proceeded in death by his parents Richard and Emma Dadisman, his sister Mary Mullikin, brother Jack, and infant daughter Malia.
"Dad" loved the Navy, Boy Scouts, canoeing, sailing, flying, space, football, baseball, growing tomatoes, baking bread, singing songs, drinking beer but most of all his family and storytelling. A Celebration of his life will be held at their home in San Jose, CA, on March 24th. He will rest peacefully in Arlington National Cemetery.
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Mar. 18, 2018