Thomas Alfred Meineke, RADM, USN, Ret.
Rear Admiral Thomas Alfred Meinicke, United States Navy, quietly passed away on Thursday March 1, 2012 after a brief fight with Leukemia, surrounded by his loving family. Tom hailed from Rapid City, South Dakota and embarked upon a full career in the submarine service after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1960. During a career filled with an insatiable appetite for learning, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif. and graduated from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, focusing in National and International Security.
His naval service was marked by calm, quiet leadership. Tom commanded the USS Flying Fish (SSN-673), the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Submarine Squadron Eight, and Commander, Submarine Groups Six and Ten at the Flag Rank. In addition to his afloat tours aboard the USS Sea Dragon (SSN-584), USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635), USS Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-685), and USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) (Gold Crew), he served as both the Force Nuclear Power Officer and Chief of Staff, Commander Submarine Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Tom was the Director, Attack Submarine Division and SSN program Coordinator (OP-22) and the Director, Strategic and Theater Nuclear Warfare Division (OP-65). His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with four gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, with two gold stars, and the Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars.
After his 32 years of Naval Service, Tom embarked on a successful second career in the civilian sector. He served as the Manager, Planning and Assessment Department for the South Texas Nuclear Project, as the Deputy Plant Manager for the South Texas Nuclear Project, as Vice President of Operations for Sithe Independence Power Partners, LP in Oswego, NY and as Vice President of Operations for Sithe New England in Boston, Mass. Tom retired to Virginia Beach, Va.
Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alice diZerega Meinicke, his three daughters Almiede Arnell (Louis) of San Diego, Calif., Elizabeth Flynn (John) of Moraga, Calif., and Andrea Diamond (Jeff) of Virginia Beach, Va., his 95 year old father, Merton Lee Meinicke of Seaside, OR, brother, Jerry Meinicke, and sisters, Shirley Cutler, and Mary Lee Meinicke. He loved dearly his nine grandchildren Luke, Sarah, Michael, Tommy, Haley, Anna, Charlie, Chad and Dana.
Tom, a gifted artist, was not only a life-long voracious reader, but also an avid fly fisherman and a passionate master wood-worker. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, VA on March 31, at 11 a.m. He will be interred in the Columbarium at the United States Naval Academy.
Thomas A. Meinicke - Virginia Beach - Rear Admiral Thomas Alfred Meinicke, United States Navy, quietly passed away on Thursday March 1, 2012 after a brief fight with Leukemia, surrounded by his loving family. Tom hailed from Rapid City, South Dakota and embarked upon a full career in the submarine service after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1960. During a career filled with an insatiable appetite for learning, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif. and graduated from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, focusing in National and International Security.
His naval service was marked by calm, quiet leadership. Tom commanded the USS Flying Fish (SSN-673), the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Submarine Squadron Eight, and Commander, Submarine Groups Six and Ten at the Flag Rank. In addition to his afloat tours aboard the USS Sea Dragon (SSN-584), USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635), USS Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-685), and USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) (Gold Crew), he served as both the Force Nuclear Power Officer and Chief of Staff, Commander Submarine Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Tom was the Director, Attack Submarine Division and SSN program Coordinator (OP-22) and the Director, Strategic and Theater Nuclear Warfare Division (OP-65). His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with four gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, with two gold stars, and the Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars.
After his 32 years of Naval Service, Tom embarked on a successful second career in the civilian sector. He served as the Manager, Planning and Assessment Department for the South Texas Nuclear Project, as the Deputy Plant Manager for the South Texas Nuclear Project, as Vice President of Operations for Sithe Independence Power Partners, LP in Oswego, NY and as Vice President of Operations for Sithe New England in Boston, Mass. Tom retired to Virginia Beach, Va.
Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alice diZerega Meinicke, his three daughters Almiede Arnell (Louis) of San Diego, Calif., Elizabeth Flynn (John) of Moraga, Calif., and Andrea Diamond (Jeff) of Virginia Beach, Va., his 95 year old father, Merton Lee Meinicke of Seaside, OR, brother, Jerry Meinicke, and sisters, Shirley Cutler, and Mary Lee Meinicke. He loved dearly his nine grandchildren Luke, Sarah, Michael, Tommy, Haley, Anna, Charlie, Chad and Dana.
Tom, a gifted artist, was not only a life-long voracious reader, but also an avid fly fisherman and a passionate master wood-worker. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, VA on March 31, at 11 a.m. He will be interred in the Columbarium at the United States Naval Academy on April 2, 2012. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you consider sending a donation in Tom's name to the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation at 4966 Euclid Road, Suite 109; Virginia Beach, VA 23462 or the Virginia Beach Public Library at their web site: ww.vbgov.com/libraries. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?pid=156299407#sthash.vaOsX0lW.dpuf
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SSN-584 Seadragon LT 1961-64
SSBN-635 Sam Rayburn LT 1963-65
SSBN-658 Mariano G Vallejo 1965-67
SSBN-623 Nathan Hale LCDR 1970-72 Executive Officer
SSN-673 Flying Fish CDR 1976-80
Commander, Submarine Group Ten RADM
Commander, Submarine Group Six RADM
CDR Nuclear Power Training Unit Idaho Falls, ID CAPT
COM Submarine Squadron Eight Groton, CT CAPT
Director, Strategic and Theater Nuclear Warfare Division
Attack Submarine Division and SSN program Coordinator (OP-22)
Chief of Staff, Commander Submarine Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet CAPT
