Obituary for Richard Eugene Volkert
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Richard Eugene Volkert, Jr, (“Rich”), 61, loving father and husband. He was son of the late Richard Eugene Volkert and Dolores Hines Volkert of Fruitland Park, FL. He was born in North Lawrence, OH and moved to Florida at age 10. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Stacy Volkert, and sons Rory and Riley Volkert. He is also survived by a sister, Patricia Long, of North Lawrence, OH and brothers Bernard (Darlene) of Wildwood, FL and Donald Volkert of Fruitland Park, FL. He is also survived by a sister-in-law and the families of his brother and sister. His brother, Charles Volkert, and a brother-in-law preceded him in death.
Rich was in the Navy ROTC program at Auburn University and graduated with a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering. He received a Master’s degree in acoustical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a doctorate in systems engineering from Southern Methodist University. He served in the Navy from 1982 until 2002, as a submarine officer then as an engineering duty officer. He subsequently worked for the Navy as a civilian from 2002 until his death. In this capacity, he worked with Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific and the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Department of the Naval Information Warfare Center. Among his roles were Chief Engineer for the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Mission Package and Lead Systems Engineer for the Maritime Domain Awareness Project. He also worked in the standup position of Department Lead Systems Engineer and, most recently, as the ASW Littoral Combat Ship Mission Package Testing and Evaluation lead. He received numerous Letters of Appreciation from various Navy commands and was also recognized with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
In addition to his work accomplishments, Rich was passionate about Scouting. He served as a Scout leader for Pack 300 and Troop 51. Both of his sons earned the Arrow of Light. His son Rory achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2018, and Riley, currently a Life Scout, is expected to achieve this rank in late Spring of 2022. Rich also participated in two treks at the Philmont Scout Ranch high adventure base in Cimarron, NM in 2019 and 2021, the former with Rory.
Rich was also devoted to Faith Presbyterian Church, where he was a member from 1999 until his death. He volunteered as a substitute Sunday School teacher and was a frequent liturgist. He served two terms as an Elder, where he chaired the Stewardship Committee and played a vital role on the Building Committee in the church’s remodeling campaign.
Memorial gifts may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 5075 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92115 or to Scout Troop 51, c/o Rich Volkert Memorial Fund, 11381 Fuerte Farm Rd, El Cajon CA 92020.
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Richard Eugene Volkert, Jr, (“Rich”), 61, loving father and husband. He was son of the late Richard Eugene Volkert and Dolores Hines Volkert of Fruitland Park, FL. He was born in North Lawrence, OH and moved to Florida at age 10. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Stacy Volkert, and sons Rory and Riley Volkert. He is also survived by a sister, Patricia Long, of North Lawrence, OH and brothers Bernard (Darlene) of Wildwood, FL and Donald Volkert of Fruitland Park, FL. He is also survived by a sister-in-law and the families of his brother and sister. His brother, Charles Volkert, and a brother-in-law preceded him in death.
Rich was in the Navy ROTC program at Auburn University and graduated with a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering. He received a Master’s degree in acoustical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a doctorate in systems engineering from Southern Methodist University. He served in the Navy from 1982 until 2002, as a submarine officer then as an engineering duty officer. He subsequently worked for the Navy as a civilian from 2002 until his death. In this capacity, he worked with Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific and the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Department of the Naval Information Warfare Center. Among his roles were Chief Engineer for the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Mission Package and Lead Systems Engineer for the Maritime Domain Awareness Project. He also worked in the standup position of Department Lead Systems Engineer and, most recently, as the ASW Littoral Combat Ship Mission Package Testing and Evaluation lead. He received numerous Letters of Appreciation from various Navy commands and was also recognized with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
In addition to his work accomplishments, Rich was passionate about Scouting. He served as a Scout leader for Pack 300 and Troop 51. Both of his sons earned the Arrow of Light. His son Rory achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2018, and Riley, currently a Life Scout, is expected to achieve this rank in late Spring of 2022. Rich also participated in two treks at the Philmont Scout Ranch high adventure base in Cimarron, NM in 2019 and 2021, the former with Rory.
Rich was also devoted to Faith Presbyterian Church, where he was a member from 1999 until his death. He volunteered as a substitute Sunday School teacher and was a frequent liturgist. He served two terms as an Elder, where he chaired the Stewardship Committee and played a vital role on the Building Committee in the church’s remodeling campaign.
Memorial gifts may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 5075 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92115 or to Scout Troop 51, c/o Rich Volkert Memorial Fund, 11381 Fuerte Farm Rd, El Cajon CA 92020.