Richard Witte

About The Author

Richard (Dick) Witte is the author of Windmills to Submarines, a memoir of being a kid in South Texas small towns from the end of the Great Depression and the beginning of World War II, to the near end of the 1950's. Dick is making progress on Sub Sailor: a memoir of a career on nuclear Fast Attack Submarines during the Cold War.

Dick was raised and educated by small town, hard working heroes. He has experienced a life worth living and sharing.

Dick is a retired college professor/professor emeritus. He is also a retired US Navy submarine sailor.

After being expelled from kindergarten, Dick received an excellent education at Saint Michael's Catholic School in Cuero, Texas, Saint Joseph's Catholic School in Beeville, Texas, and the public schools in Ingleside, Texas.

After high school, Dick was trained in electronics, sonar, and submarines by the Navy. Dick retired from the Navy as a Squadron Combat Systems Officer for Sonar in a squadron of nuclear fast attack submarines.

Highlights of his Navy career included taking five nuclear submarines on their first sea trials, and initial dives, in the company of the legendary Admiral Hyman Rickover.

Dick's favorite assignment, while in the Navy, was as Chief of the Boat on the submarine that eventually became the most decorated ship in Navy History. The most prized award in his career was a simple compliment. Admiral Rickover told Dick's captain, "You probably ought to keep that diving officer." The Admiral didn't give many compliments.

After many extended cold war submarine patrols, Dick was awarded a Navy college scholarship. Dick loved college and eventually received a Ph.D. from Old Dominion University in Virginia. He also completed several post-graduate special programs including Developmental Education Certification at Appalachian State University and the Higher Education Leadership Program at The Wharton School.

Dick served in multiple roles in Higher Education including counselor and classroom teacher. He taught students from college freshmen to doctoral candidates, and he learned much from his students. Dick held administrative positions as Coordinator of Admissions and Records, Dean of Students, and Associate Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services at Tidewater Community College in Virginia.

Dick loved his work in the Navy and Higher Education.

Dicks favorite volunteer work was serving for many years as a volunteer adult literacy tutor.

Contact Dick by email: dickwitte20@gmail.com