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Capt. Roy G. “Luke” Riley, 78, of Gold Hill, NC passed away September 7, 2016 at his home.
Born January 3, 1938 in Marlette, Michigan, he was the son of the late Wilmont John “Mike” and Joyce Cripps Riley. He was a 1956 graduate of Marlette High School, a 1960 graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and a 1967 graduate of the US Naval Postgraduate School in Montery, California, with a Master’s Degree in Management.
He served in the US submarine force aboard five submarines; USS Sea Poacher (SS-406), USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623G), USS Albacore (AGSS-569), USS Wahoo (SS-565) and commanded the USS Bonefish (SS-582) from September 1972 – September 1974, followed by duty Submarine Che if Staff in Guam, Michigan. He was trained in both the Polaris/Poseidon navigation and missile weapons systems and was a team leader certifying crews for missile launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida. From 1976-1986 he was assigned Director Naval Intelligence at the Pentagon as Project Officer for a special submarine program and was also Director Naval Intelligence R+D Programs and Director Intelligence Budget Division. In 1986, he retired as Captain, USN. Upon retirement he was a Mt. Pleasant High School bus driver and substitute teacher for 12 years. He was also a self employed handyman and he loved to hunt and fish with his sons.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Cline Riley, whom he married February 1, 1974; daughter Katrina and husband Karl Wolff of Baldwinsville, New York; sons, Clay Riley of Springfield, Virginia and Lance Riley of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandsons, Scott Wolff and Sean Brazel; granddaughters, Sharon Wolff, Murphy Riley, Taylor Riley, and Casey Riley; brothers, Joe Riley and wife Carole of Montriss, Virginia; and Rex and Dottie Riley of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
A private memorial service will be held for family and friends prior to burial at sea.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that donations be made to the United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation (P.O. Box 3870 Silverdale, WA 98383, www.ussvi.org/charitable.asp)
Carolina Cremation is honored to serve the Riley family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Christopher Lynch says
It was a honor to have met Capt. Riley and spending a little time constructing barbed wire fencing with him and my PiI Kappa Phi brother Lance. Godspeed Capt. Riley.
Janea Green says
Thank you so much Captain Riley for adopting me into your family. It was honor to always be in your presence.
LANNY AND FRAN YESKE says
Luke and I go back to 1960 when we graduated from Submarine School and served two years together on Sea Poacher as Ensigns. We also qualified together as submarine brothers. Our paths crossed many times and most recently in 2014 Charleston. He was a outstanding shipmate and wonderful friend. I will miss him. Our prayers and thoughts are extended to Linda and his family. DBF!
Lanny Yeske, Commander, US Navy (Retired)
Becky Little says
So sorry to hear about Capt. Luke’s passing. He was a special man and I enjoyed working with him and getting to know him during my time at MPMS.
Jim Schenk says
To the Family,
Ruth Ann and I wish to offer our sincere condolences at this time of your affliction. “Luke” was a friend and fellow shipmate of our Submarine Veterans’ base. We rode our Carolina Submarine Veterans’ parade float several times over the past few years and got to visit while the crowds lining the streets welcomed us all with applause for “standing in the gap” during our years in the U.S. Submarine Force. I have great memories of this great man. He made a difference in many lives and I can vouch for his honor, integrity, caliber, intelligence and patriotism. Your Base Members salute you, Captain,
Chaplain Jim Schenk, USS NATHANAEL GREENE Base-United States Submarine Veterans.
Larry and 'Sam' Summey says
Dear Linda and family, We are so very sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord bring you much comfort and peace now and in the days to come. Our love, Larry and ‘Sam’
Lee Stockdale says
Captian Luke Riley was a great man and it was truly a pleasure to know him. He really brought class with him everywhere he went and was truly respected by all who know him. We will miss him greatly. May the lord be with you as you keep on sailing Captian.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and you family.
Lee Stockdale
Christy Hopkins says
Uncle Luke I love you and I am going to miss you so much. You had such a special laugh and I really loved your humor. Being around you was always so much fun and riding with you on your “short cuts” was such a hoot and a half. You were so wicked smart about things. Your love and dedication to this country was admirable and I salute you.
Robin McAllister says
There was no one else like Uncle Luke. There was no story that went untold, no laugh that went unheard, and nothing he could not fix! He was a special part of the family and will be missed. Set a course and smooth sailing!!
Doug Teale says
Luke was one of Marlette’s finest. It was a pleasure knowing the Riley family. His father gave me my first job working at Riley’s creamery. If Marlette had a. “Hall of fame, Luke would be one of the first!
Bob and Peggy Green says
To all who go down to the sea in ships to do business in great waters. They see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep. ……He hushes the storm to a calm and to a gentle whisper so that the waves are still and He brings them to a safe harbor. (Psalm 107 23, 29 and 30)
Captn’ Luke has found his safe harbor from all the storms of life. He was a witty brother in law and so full of energy. He will be missed by so many who benefitted from his handy man skills and furniture making. A man of many talents. You are missed. May the God who calms the seas and guides all of us to our safe harbor bless and keep my sister, Linda and wonderful nephew Lance and all of the Rileys. Wish we could be there.
Robyn Walters says
Luke and I were Naval Academy classmates and company mates all those many years ago. I remember a quiet but fun-loving man with a ready smile. Our paths diverged during our active duty days, but we did meet again at a few class reunions.
Rest well, my friend. Rest well.
Keith and Jill (Oxley) Kauffman says
Dear Linda:
Luke has left us a beautiful and lasting gift within the pages of the family history he so carefully compiled. I remember him saying you didn’t often accompany him on his fact-finding trips because you weren’t fond of cemeteries and court houses.
We send our love and sincere sympathy. Out thoughts and prayers will be with you as you gather to celebrate Luke’s life.
Keith & Jill (Oxley) Kauffman
Edward Galaviz says
To: The Family
I only saw the Captain at either our regular Nat. Greene Base meetings or at the parades we attended. I always liked to sit next to him in our Torpedo Float as he was great company. I admired and respected him. I was proud of his accomplishments. May God Bless the entire Riley family and the Captain.
Duane Tollaksen says
I believe that everyone of his shipmates will miss Luke greatly. He was very well respected. I knew him as a classmate in the USNA Class of 1960 and while in the Submarine Force. I will look for him following my last patrol. He has gone on ahead!
Bill Brinkman says
On behalf of the USS Sea Poacher Association, we are sorry for the loss of our shipmate, Luke Riley.
He was at several of our Submarine Reunions , a very fine man. and fun to know.
We will miss him.
Regards,
Bill Brinkman ,President
USS Sea Poacher Association
Richard Davis says
Farewell, Old friend;
We were a good pair, I think, rooming together at the Naval Academy First and Second Class years. After that our paths diverged but managed to cross a few times. You were the consummate Naval Officer, spending much of your career in submarines. What a ride it seemed to be from my perspective. We met again in Strategic Systems Project Office in DC. Later, you were on ALBACORE out of Portsmouth, NH while I was at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
After we retired, Carol and I stopped to see you and Linda in Gold Hill a few times on our trips between ME and FL. We had some great pulled pork sandwiches on a couple of occasions. You gave us a tour of Gold Hill on our first visit and an appreciation of the history of the area. We enjoyed being with you during a couple of Class of ’60 reunions.
Our personal lives took similar paths, both having two children in our first marriages and a second marriage and second family. You and Linda had Lance, and Carol and I had Diana. Both Lance and Diana have gotten their PhDs which are nice accomplishments, I think. It speaks well when our children do better than we did, at least academically.
Until we meet again, may you experience fair winds and following seas.
To Linda and all of Luke’s family we send our thoughts and prayers, and know that we’ll be thinking of you as you gather to celebrate Luke’s life.
Dick & Carol