Final Salute

CAPT Richard Allen Lowery, CEC, USN (Retired), passed away on February 16, 2025, at the age of 89. Richard was born in Tiffin, Ohio, on May 21, 1935, the son of Turner Ashby Lowery and Leona (Umstead) Lowery.

Richard pursued his education with distinction, earning a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College as an NROTC student, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with honors from the Columbia University School of Engineering. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and attended various Navy schools throughout his career. He was a proud lifelong supporter of the Alpha Alpha chapter of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

His 26-year Navy career in the Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) took him around the world, including tours in Hawaii, Vietnam, England, Scotland, and a memorable assignment teaching at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Richard served as the head of construction contract negotiations for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and proudly commanded Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (NMCB 133), leading his Seabees with skill and integrity.

After retiring from the Navy, Richard continued to contribute his talents as Deputy Director of the North Carolina State Port Authority in Wilmington, NC.

A lifelong sailor, Richard fulfilled a dream by sailing the Atlantic Circle on his own 35-foot sailboat. Further sailing trips on friends’ yachts included exploring Norway’s fjords above the Arctic Circle, rounding Cape Horn, and sailing the Caribbean. Later, he partnered with a fraternity brother on a canal boat in France, and together with their wives, they enjoyed ten summers cruising the European canals.

He was a founding member of the Pearl Harbor Yacht Club and the Diego Garcia Yacht Club, an active participant in the Navy Sailing Association, an enthusiastic member of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, and a member of the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC).

Richard’s many creative projects included building his own canvas kayak, building a custom-designed two-part wooden dinghy, and painting old grandfather clocks with local themes.

A loving husband and father, his strength and kindness set him apart. His generous spirit and genuine caring for others left a positive mark on all who knew him.

Richard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Erica Lowery, son Steven Lowery, daughter Carlyn Lowery, grandchildren Maxwell Lowery and Aidan Lowery, sister-in-law Marilyn Lowery, and nephew David Lowery. His two older brothers pre-deceased him, Frederick Lee Lowery and John Elwood Lowery.

A visitation will be held at Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 on Monday, February 24, 2025 from 4-6 pm. Later, military funeral honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Valhalla Sailing Project (https://www.valhallasailing.org/), which supports veterans through sailing experiences. Contributions may be sent to: 326 First Street, Suite 401, Annapolis, MD 21403.

Fair winds and following seas, Captain. You will be greatly missed, and your warm and adventurous spirit will live on in the hearts of those you touched.