Richard Krulis Obituary

Richard "Dick" Krulis, CDR (Ret.) USN, 78, completed his last mission and passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025. He stayed the course and continued to navigate ups and downs with his health over the last few years and during this time he was surrounded by his family and loved ones. Born in Hartford, Connecticut on November 6, 1946, he is preceded in death by his parents John Joseph Krulis, Jr. and Claire Krulis and 3 siblings. Dick is survived by his loving wife of over 55 years, Lynda; his beloved children, Lauri Lindgren and her husband Chris, and Richard Ryan Krulis and his wife Bethany. He was the incredibly proud "Pops" to his three grandchildren and two grand dogs, and dearly loved by his many nieces and nephews.
At an early age Dick found his place on the playing field. He was a high school athlete at Catholic Central High in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was recruited by many top college programs. He chose the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he majored in Naval Engineering and graduated in 1968. While at the Academy he threw the shot, discus and hammer on the Track team and played Center on the football team, with a high point of beating Army in 1967. He established many lifelong friendships at the Academy, and will always be fondly remembered by classmates as "Krulo". He lived by and was the embodiment of the great class of '68's motto, "Vir Quisque Vir".
After graduation Dick headed to flight school in Pensacola, FL ultimately becoming a naval helicopter pilot. Taking flight was one of Dick's greatest passions until he met the love of his life, Lynda, while in Pensacola and they married on September 13, 1969. Shortly after their wedding Dick got his wings and was deployed to Vietnam in 1970 to join the HA(L)-3 naval special operations aviation squadron. He was proud to be part of the "Seawolves" and flew Navy helicopter gunships in over 800 combat missions in the year he was there. Upon returning from Vietnam Dick served in the HS3 squadron in Quonset Point, Rhode Island and then received his Master's degree from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. He was deployed on a NATO Exchange to Nova Scotia, Canada and then went on to serve as an Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer and test pilot in the VX-1 squadron in Patuxent River, Maryland. Dick returned to USNA in 1980 as an instructor in Weapons Systems Engineering and a strength coach for the Track team. Being back in the Annapolis area allowed Lynda and Dick to be a USNA sponsor family, welcoming Midshipmen into their hearts and homes while they were at the Academy. These Mids brought such joy to them and their children as an extended part of the family, and Dick always enjoyed the calls, visits and messages shared even long after they graduated. Dick completed his 20-year Naval career at Nav Air in Crystal City, Virginia and retired from the Navy in 1988. Continuing his passion for aviation and engineering Dick had a successful 25-year career in industry as a Program Manager for Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Honeywell, and Battelle.
Dick was a life-long Navy football fan and cheered on his team as a season ticket holder even when his career moved him away from the area. Living in Annapolis, he enjoyed regularly attending Navy home games and the Class of 68 tailgate with family, friends and classmates. Dick's love of the Naval Academy and its traditions on and off the football field are instilled in his family and will be carried on by the fans he created in his children and grandchildren. Dick was also an avid golfer and enjoyed getting out on the course any chance he could get, especially playing with friends and family at the Naval Academy Golf Club. He also created many cherished memories with yearly vacations with extended family in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Please join us in celebrating Dick's life on Friday April 11, 2025, with a visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Lasting Tributes Funeral Care, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, with a celebration of life service at the same location at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dick's name to Hospice of the Chesapeake who were a source of comfort to Dick and his family these last few weeks.