COMMANDER
DEAN A. RICHTER
UNITED STATES NAVY

Commander Dean A. Richter was born in Washington, Missouri, and resided in both Owensville and Jefferson City, Missouri, before entering the naval service. He graduated from the University of Missouri – Rolla in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Commander Richter joined the Navy in January 1983, attended Officer Candidate School, and received his Navy commission in May 1984 under the Distinguished Naval Graduate Program. After he completed initial nuclear power training, he served as a staff instructor from August 1985 to August 1986 at the submarine prototype at Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

After attending the Submarine Officer Basic Course, Commander Richter served on board USS PINTADO (SSN 672) from December 1986 to June 1989. He was assigned as the Reactor Controls Assistant, Chemistry and Radiological Controls Officer, Damage Control Assistant and Combat Systems Officer. While on board PINTADO, he completed an Arctic Ocean and a Western Pacific Deployment.

Commander Richter attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, from July 1989 to December 1991 where he graduated with distinction and was the recipient of the L. Y. Spear Award for academic achievement. He then reported on board the USS NARWHAL (SSN 671) where he served as the Engineer Officer and Navigator/Operations Officer from July 1992 to May 1996. While on board NARWHAL, he completed a refueling overhaul and a highly successful Mediterranean Deployment resulting in receipt of the Battle Efficiency "E" for Submarine Squadron FOUR in 1994.

Commander Richter attended the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from June 1996 to June 1997. While there, he completed the program for Phase I of the Joint Professional Military Education.

In June 1997, Commander Richter returned to Submarine School for training as a Prospective Executive Officer. He served as the Executive Officer of USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731) Blue from September 1997 until April 1999 making three strategic deterrent patrols and winning the Submarine Squadron SEVENTEEN Strategic "S" and Tactical "T" awards for 1998.

From May 1999 to March 2001, Commander Richter served as the Undersea Warfare Officer on the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

He now resides in San Diego, California, where in November 2001, he assumed the duties as Commanding Officer, USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759).













Jefferson City Councilman Roy Viessman attended the Change of Command ceremonies in San Diego in November, 2001. Pictured here are Commander Richter (left) with Councilman Viessman (right).




Would you like to take a peek at the Commander's FAMILY ALBUM? We hope you enjoy visiting with his family and friends.


Commander Visits Home in November 2002

Commander Dean Richter came to Jefferson City the week of November 4, 2002, to visit his family, and was kind enough to allow us to schedule some visits with him and his family while he was here. We hope the Richters have an enjoyable time with their son, and we in Jefferson City are proud that he is a "native son!"

Jefferson City News Tribune reporter Christina Stueve got a great interview with Commander Richter while he was in town. Seems everybody is excited about his visit.



Cdr Dean Richter, Commanding Officer, his mother
Florence Lawson, and his step-father Dean Lawson
(hidden behind Florence)


Commander Richter and Veteran
Council President Al Davis


Commander Richter and American
Legion Post 5 Commander


Cdr Richter and Melody Green, Jefferson City
Submarine Committee and Associate member of
the Topeka-Jefferson City Base of the
United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.


Commander Richter, his mother Florence Lawson,
talking with a member of the American Legion
Post #5


Roy Viessman (l.), Jefferson City City Council
Rep to the USSJC Submarine Committee, Dean
Lawson, and Commander Richter


Cdr Richter and his elementary principal, Gail
Oehrke and Judy Oehrke


Marjorie Smith, Commander Richter, Herman Smith,
and Florence Lawson enjoying sticky buns prior
to museum tour


George Arnold presenting an "Eternal Patrol" cup to
Cdr. Richter as Herman Smith and Andrew Lenart look on


George Arnold, Crd. Richter, Herman Smith, Andy Lenart.
These four submarine men represent submarine duty from
WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, the Gulf War and to
present, spanning the 60 years from 1942 to 2002!


George Arnold, Commander of the Topeka-Jefferson City
Base, United States Submarine Veterans, Inc., explains
that when hot or cold liquid is poured into the "Eternal
Patrol" cup, the names and hull numbers of the lost
boats become visible in white lettering on the blue
background


L-R: Herman Smith, Andrew Lenart, and George Arnold
present Cdr. Richter a USSVI "Eternal Patrol" cup
from the Topeka-Jefferson City base of USSVI



USS Jefferson City Submarine Committee
822 Western Air Dr
Jefferson City MO 65109