Russell A. Henkel, STCM(SS)
Ordmond Beach, FL Passed away on 6/22/2020 USSVI Base: MAL Served on: SSN-585, SS-340, SSN-653, SSN-673, SSN-674, SSN-667, SSN-671, SSN-680, SSN-681, SSN-683 Cold war submarine veteran, Russell A. Henkel STCM(SS)(RET)76, passed away on Monday June 22, 2020 peacefully at the Halifax Hospice Care Center in Ormond Beach, FL.
Russell was born on Sept. 16,1943 in Medford, WI to Oscar R. And Margaret A. (Bergmann) Henkel. He graduated from Medford High School in 1961. He worked hauling milk until he left to join the Navy in 1962. He went to boot camp in San Diego, CA then went to New London, CT to attend the Submarine School. After finishing school, he went aboard the SSN Skipjack.
He Qualified in submarines on the USS Skipjack (SSN-585) in 1964 and was a STCM(SS) when he left the Navy.
He met his wife Ann Medina through a family friend of Ann’s. They were married on June 26, 1965 at the US Coast Guard Academy Chapel, in New London. They then moved to Charleston, SC while the boat was in the yards, they later went to Norfolk, VA. Their next move was back to New London where he went aboard the USS Entemdor.
He then went the Force Sonar Information Center and then later back to the Submarine School where he concluded his active service as an Acoustic Groom Team Assistant Division Officer in the Submarine Sensors Training Dept.
After retiring from the Navy, he worked for a while at the Medford Co-op hardware store. He then went to work at Weathershield in the millwork dept as a moulder operator.
