USS Semmes DDG-18 Crew News

Current News about the Crews

Thursday, July 7, 2005

Hi All:
It is with great sadness that I report the death of our second skipper,
RADM Bob Welander on 21 June in San Diego, CA. He fought a gallant
battle against supranuclear palsy, a terminal illness that we saw signs
of in him at the New Orleans Reunion. However, this rare disease, which
causes degeneration of the neurons in the brain, was not diagnosed by
doctors until he returned to Annapolis after the reunion. He was 80
years old.

A memorial service will be held at the lower Naval Academy Chapel at
1000 on 21 July 2005. I believe that his Naval Academy class (1946)
will be well represented as well as a number of friends from the
Annapolis area. Burial will be at the Naval Academy Cemetery. There
will be a reception at the Officers' Club after interment.

Those planning to attend the services, who do not have a valid military
ID card, can gain entry to the Academy by contacting the Hardesty
Funeral Home in Annapolis at (410) 263-2222.

I am in contact with Bob's daughter, Robin, who will be at the service
with her brother Curt. Bob's wife predeceased him.

Barbara and I will, of course, be attending. Please let me know if I
can be of assistance to anyone. Tom Boyce