​Cdr. Frank J. Bush (USN-RET) passed away on January 27, 2023, at the age of 76.  Born to Frank, Sr. and Barbara Bush in Berkeley, CA on 30 June 1946, he graduated from San Francisco State College in 1969.  He joined the U.S. Navy in October 1969 and reported for Aviation Officer Candidate School and basic aviation training in Pensacola, Fl.
Frank had met the love of his life, Laura Mahan, when they were teenagers and they were later married as he transferred from Pensacola, Fl. to Corpus Christi, Tx. to complete his basic aviation training.
Upon designation as a Naval Aviator in May 1971, his initial fleet assignment was to VAW 111 in San Diego, CA. flying the E-1B “Willy Fudd”.   Frank completed two Vietnam combat cruises on the USS Oriskany.
Following assignment as a Recruiting Officer in San Diego February 1975 through June 1977, he completed transition to the E-2B “Hawkeye” at RVAW 110 in San Diego.    Subsequently assigned to VAW 117 from January 1978 to August 1980, he completed two more combat cruises on the USS Ranger.  He was then selected and served as an instructor pilot in RVAW 110, the E-2 Hawkeye aircrew training squadron, until January 1983.  From February 1983 to February 1984, he served in VAW 116 for his department head tour, completing one cruise aboard USS Kitty Hawk during which he was selected for Command at Sea.
Frank attended various preparatory courses for his upcoming Commanding Officer responsibilities. In June 1984, he reported to VAW 113 as Executive Officer, then completed the tour as Commanding Officer in June 1987 having completed 2 cruises on the USS Constellation.  Frank’s final U.S. Navy assignment was to the USS Constellation as assistant, then head of the Air Department until his retirement in August 1989.  His military decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (3), Air Gallantry Cross, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), and the National Defense Service Medal.
In 1990, Frank became a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines and flew the Boeing 727, DC-9 and 757 until his retirement in 2006.  He returned to his   home in Fieldbrook, CA. where he and Laura maintained a collection of horses, goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, and a large garden.  He continued to feed his passion for aviation by building an experimental Vans RV-9A aircraft – a hobby project he started in November 2008 and completed in August 2013.  
Frank was a very active volunteer with the Fieldbrook Fire Department and was very active in the local trap and skeet club.  He also enjoyed camper road trips around the southwest with Laura.  Cdr. Bush is survived by his loving wife, Laura, and cherished daughter, Jessica Bush.

​REVEILLE, REVEILLE, REVEILLE all hands on deck for the passing of Captain Steven James Dunlap, USN Retired.  The son of Rodney Merrill and Helen McQuillan Dunlap, Steve died at 81 years old, peacefully at home with his family.  Rod worked for the federal government so Steve’s childhood with sisters Eileen and Pamela spanned Minnesota and New Mexico, before finally settling in Alexandria, Virginia.  Though its precise origin is lost to history, Rod Dunlap began a family tradition when he gave this standard response to Steve’s childhood requests:  “You’ll get it some Tuesday.”  
In 1964, Steve met Patricia Leigh Riley on a blind date.  He was pole-axed by the tall, blue-eyed beauty with black hair.  However [comma] he showed off just a bit too much and Pat thought he was obnoxious.  Luckily, Steve got another shot the next night and this time he stayed cool.  They fell in love on that second date and Steve spent the next ten months happy as a pig in stuff, driving from Blacksburg to Williamsburg and back at a “high rate of fuel consumption.”  
Steve and Pat married December 26, 1964, just days before Steve’s first tour with the U.S. Navy.   Steve had graduated Virginia Polytechnic & State University into the Vietnam War draft.  Either Uncle Sam was going to determine his path, or he was.  He picked the Navy.  After Officer Candidate School in 1965, Steve commissioned as a Lieutenant.  Thus began Steve and Pat’s Navy adventure-years.  
They lived in Parma, Ohio, Pensacola, Florida, Brunswick, Georgia (twice), Imperial Beach, California and Simi Valley, California.  Steve served two tours in Vietnam as a Naval Flight Officer for the E2 Hawkeye radar planes on the USS Coral Sea and the USS Constellation.  During his first Pacific tour, Steve eagerly saved money.  He was planning for some Tuesday when he’d have enough to buy that Sanyo minifridge he had spotted in Japan.  Having a minifridge in his berth meant options at chow time.  Fifty-seven years later, a few hours before he died, Steve’s children and grandchildren sat with him and rooted for the Hokies, drinking icy cold Miller High Life from that Sanyo fridge.  Too bad the Hokies lost that day.  Pop loved the champagne of beers, and that fridge has been keeping it cold since 1967.  Now the heirs are wondering who will get it.  
In 1975, as Steve reached a decade of active-duty Navy service, Pat said, “Honey, I’m going home to Virginia with the kids, and I hope you come too.”  Steve laughed and started job hunting knowing that some Tuesday he would get a great new job while keeping his flight wings in the Navy Reserve.  By this time, Steve and Pat had three children:  Steven, Jr., Darlin’ Daughter Tricia, and Matt.  Having a third baby forced them to get creative with names.  In 1976, the family left Simi Valley for Derwood, Maryland, driving cross-country in a Ford F-150 cab-over-camper.  Mom and Dad rode in the cab.  The kids and the dogs rode in the camper.  God only knows what they were up to back there, but Mom and Dad had a fine time.  Pleas of “Daaad, when are we gonna stop!!!???” always generated the same reply, “some Tuesday!”
After two years in Maryland and always dreaming of getting home to Virginia some Tuesday, Steve and Pat built a home in Montclair.  Pat, a daughter of Colonial Williamsburg, had her heart set on an authentic Colonial-era home.  Steve always wanted what Pat wanted and for months he haunted every salvage yard in Virginia.  But Steve was not about to pay asking price for anything, especially not architectural salvage.  His patience paid off when four old homes nearby were slated for the wrecking ball.  What a good deal!  Free architectural salvage was a much better score than discounted Entenmann’s Danish from the “used bread store”.  From those old houses, Steve scored a dozen five-panel doors.  Throughout the chilly early spring of 1979, the family drove from Derwood to Dumfries almost every weekend so Steve could transform the old doors into beautiful, heavy wainscot for the new family room.  The Dunlaps camped in the cold, unfinished, unheated house.  But, hey, it was free!  “Such a good deal, you can’t afford not to buy it”.  Finally, after dodging the bank’s attempt to yank his 10% interest rate (that was a bargain back then), in the summer of 1979, the five Dunlaps were in fat city when they moved into 4701 Harmony Place not far from beautiful downtown Triangle.  
For the next eighteen years, the Dunlap home on Harmony Place served as a magnet for extended family.  Pat taught school and filled the forested backyard with native trees, shrubs, and perennials.  Steve commuted to Crystal City and spent a weekend every month in Norfolk, fulfilling his Reservist duties.  The Dunlaps hosted countless backyard cook-outs, blue-tarp-slip-and-slide contests, badminton games, and croquet tournaments.  Spitting watermelon seeds from the back-porch steps generated fierce competition.  The uphill trudge home from West Beach in a wet bathing suit was a rite of passage for the Dunlap kids and their cousins.  
By the mid-90’s, with the kids grown and gone, Steve and Pat started eyeing their future.  Once again, the Navy came along and changed the trajectory of their life.  A Beltway Bandit defense contractor, Steve’s breadwinning relied on the Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye program.  Having flown in the Hawkeye, Steve knew the plane, making him a highly desirable expert for his civilian employers.  In 1997, Steve and Pat begrudgingly moved to Southern Maryland, following the Navy’s Hawkeye program to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.  At heart a Virginian, Steve briefly contemplated telling the Navy to pound sand, but then he realized that Southern Maryland is a boating paradise.  Always an optimist, Steve saw his opportunity and started lobbying Pat for a boat.  It took a while, but finally some Tuesday arrived, and Steve brought a Chris Craft cruiser home to the slip in their backyard.  There was only one possible name for Dad’s new toy:  the Some Tuesday.  Over the next twenty years, as grandchildren Annie, Joe, Hank, and Carter joined the Dunlap clan, the Some Tuesday served up countless family adventures on the waterways of Southern Maryland.
In 2015, Steve and Pat moved to Brandermill Woods and Steve instantly became the go-to tech guy on campus.  He helped people with newfangled iPhones, unresponsive laptops, and locked-up internet routers.  Steve was a selfie beast and loved posting happy news on Facebook and Instagram.  Always on call for his new neighbors, before long they elected him president of the residents’ council.  Steve loved woodworking.  He charmed the Brandermill Woods Foundation into expanding the craft shop and used his bargain hunting skills to score a new band saw.  If you would like to honor Steve’s life and legacy, the Dunlaps ask that you donate to the Brandermill Woods Foundation and request the funds be used to support the Steven J. Dunlap Memorial Craft Shop.  In addition to his many adoring fans, Steve left behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Pat Dunlap, his two sisters Eileen Ricks and Pamela Patterson, three children (Steven Dunlap Jr., Tricia Dunlap, and Matthew Dunlap), and four grandchildren (Annie Overton, Joseph Radigan, Henry “Hank” Dunlap, and Carter Dunlap).  All will celebrate Steve’s fantastic life and enduring legacy at the Brandermill Woods Clubhouse.  After cremation, the family will scatter Steve’s remains from the stern of Steve Jr.’s boat (the Some Tuesday) and at Tricia’s Some Tuesday farm in West Virginia.  Dear Old Dad, we will miss you and honor you all the days of our life.  Until some Tuesday when we are all together again.        

We are deeply grateful for the help and support received from everyone at Brandermill Woods, and from James River Hospice, and Jemita Bell of Care Advantage.

Captain John ("Jack") Wesley Bookhultz, USN, Retired, died July 27, 2022 at his home in The Villages, FL. Born on August 22, 1940, to Lewis and May Bookhultz in Southern Maryland, he graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and attended Oglethorpe University and University of Florida before enlisting in the Navy Flight Program in 1962. In 1964, Jack earned his pilot wings and a commission at NA New Iberia, LA. That same year he also met and fell in love with Gay Gran of Baton Rouge. They married soon after meeting and began a life of adventure that took them around the world. Jack always said their dynamic relationship was the key to his success in life and in his career. Jack thrived in the Navy. In his 29 years of active duty, he served as a Ship's Navigator, flight instructor two different times, and safety officer to his squadron in Japan. He was commanding officer of the E-2 Hawkeye squadron on the USS John F Kennedy and later the Atlantic VAW Wing Commander at NAS Norfolk. Along the way, Jack accumulated 6000+ hours of accident-free flight hours and well over 600 carrier landings as a VAW pilot aboard 6 different aircraft carriers. His non-flight posts included, in the White House office of Vice President George Bush coordinating Navy assets for use in anti-drug interdiction efforts at all US borders, Director of Plans for Navy Space Systems at the Pentagon, and administrative review judge for the Secretary of the Navy. Jack took advantage of educational opportunities offered, completing Navy Legal School, earning a degree in international relations at the Navy Postgraduate School, completing the geopolitical affairs senior course at the US Naval War College, and attending the Navy's aircraft accident investigation school. He also conducted several JAG investigations and aircraft accident inquiries. Awards include: Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendations and other campaign ribbons and awards. Jack's many deployments took him to all 7 seas, often with Gay traveling to greet him in ports across the globe. When not deployed, he and his family moved frequently. They lived in The Philippines, Japan, Mississippi, California, Rhode Island, and Virginia often reuniting with other Navy neighbors from a previous tour of duty. Jack retired in 1991 and after living in both Satellite Beach, FL and Haymarket, VA, and moved in 2003 to Grottoes, VA in the Shenandoah Valley. Gay passed unexpectedly soon after that move, but Jack was able to find happiness and community there, holding offices in the local chapter of the Military Officers Association (MOAA), the Weyers Cave Ruritan Club, and attending Mount Horab Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir and served as an elder. While living in the Valley, he was often accompanied by his close longtime friend, Sally Fulton of Augusta County, a retired educator from Blue Ridge Community College. Jack's wanderlust never subsided, and he continued to travel with friends and family to Poland, Greece, Italy, The Baltics, Finland, and South Africa. Jack is survived by his children: Grant Bookhultz and Shannon Lehman (Glenn), his grandchildren: John and Jessica ("Kate") Lehman, and his siblings, Major Lewis Edwin Bookhultz, US Army, Retired (Joy), and Judy Roberts (Joe). A memorial service will be held at the Oxford Assembly of God on Saturday, Sept 24, 2022, at 11 am. Interment with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery will be at a later date. Donations to DAV Charitable Service Trust in lieu of flowers would be preferred. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Lady Lake, Florida. Online remembrances may be made at www.beyersfuneralhome.com.

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​   Master Chief Theodore Hull Miller, 67 years of age; born in Buffalo, NY, however, spent his formative years in Phoenix, AZ, passed away the morning of May 12th, 2022 in Menifee, CA.
   Ted enjoyed a 21-year Naval career, spending the majority of his time in various VAW squadrons including initial training at RVAW-110, followed by tours with VAW-112, VAW-114, a brief time with VAW-115 assisting in the transition from the E-2B to the E-2C Hawkeye and then an instructor tour at VAW-110 where he earned Sailor of the Year accolades.  Ted was also stationed in Washington DC as the AE/AT Chief and Senior Chief Rating Assignment Detailer at BUPERS.  After this tour he went to VAW-116 where he was selected for Master Chief Petty Officer.  Ted spent abbreviated tours in a F-14 and EA-6B squadron as well as a sea tour with HSL-33.
   Ted is pre-deceased by the love of his life, Karen Miller and his brothers, Michael, Christopher and a sister, Amy.  He is survived by his daughter, Stacy Williams of Scottsdale, AZ along with his siblings, Sally, Becky and David, all of the greater Phoenix, AZ area.
   Ted loved being in the Navy, often saying it was the best years of his life.  He also loved music of any type, was a self-proclaimed ‘hippy’ and thoroughly enjoyed the many French Bulldogs he had over there years.  Internment will be at Miramar National Cemetery at a later date.
 

​Hyrum was born at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska on January 17, 1995 to Jim and Priscilla Hanlon. He said that his earliest memory was “looking with amazement on snowy mountains from an airplane window.” His grandpa, Samuel Richards, encouraged his interest in aviation and military service, taking him to air shows at Elmendorf Airforce Base. As a young child, his hero was Buzz Lightyear, and he dreamed of space exploration.
In 2011, he paid half his way to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar in Annapolis, Maryland. This was a major turning point for him; he returned from the experience determined to join the Navy. As a result, he graduated third in the Class of 2013 from Snowflake High School. Hyrum then graduated from Arizona State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering with a focus in Astronautics in 2017.
After Hyrum was commissioned into the United States Navy on May 10, 2017, he reported to Pensacola for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination. He then reported for Primary Flight Training at Whiting Field with Training Squadron Six (VT-6) where he flew the T-6 Texan II. Upon selection into the Navy’s E-2/C-2 program, Hyrum transferred to Corpus Christi where he began Intermediate Flight Training with VT-31 flying the T-44 Pegasus multi-engine training aircraft. Hyrum finally reported to Kingsville to complete Advanced Flight Training with VT-22 in the T-45 Goshawk single-seat jet trainer. On December 13th, 2020, he successfully completed his carrier landing qualifications on the USS Gerald R. Ford.  On December 17, 2020, Hyrum received his “Wings of Gold”, officially becoming a Naval Aviator. He was selected for the E-2 Hawkeye and began training in Norfolk, Virginia. 
Hyrum was a well-rounded Renaissance Man who pursued excellence and self-mastery. He was outgoing and gregarious, and enjoyed reading, science and history. He was restless, disciplined, tough, goofy and joyful. He played piano and dabbled in painting. But mostly, Hyrum loved to spend time with his friends, whom he loved deeply. He worked hard, played hard, and lived life to the fullest.
Hyrum is survived by his parents, Jim and Priscilla; his siblings Saera Uí Chearnaigh (Deóis Ua Cearnaigh), Krista (Ryan) Slone, James (Katherine), Bryan (Rachel) and Isaiah; his grandmother, Mildred Richards; his nieces and nephews Riley, Samantha, Madalyn and Séadanda; and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. 

​Richard Lee Keefer (Dick), of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away March 15, 2022. His death followed a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Dick was born November 25, 1939, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Harry and Dora (Wilt) Keefer. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Harry Keefer, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Luan Keefer; children, Cherrie DeRentis (Rocky), Mari Mann (Rod) and April Orcutt; brother, Robert Keefer (Bobbie); grandchildren, Ricky Williams (Kelly), Eliza DeRentis and Ryan Debolt; great grandchildren, Kensie and Emmy; nieces, Debby Rabchenuk (Mike) and Tawna Woolstenhulme; nephews, Larry, Craig, and Brian Keefer and Bob Keefer (Angie). Dick attended West Shore High School and was a standout athlete who aspired to a career in the US Navy as an aviator. In 1963, Dick, was selected to attend college under the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP). He completed both BS and MS requirements in the Electrical Engineering discipline graduating from North Carolina State University in June 1967. Attended Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island receiving his commission as an Ensign in October, 1967. He then received orders to flight training in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings in December 1969. Dick had a notable career as a naval officer flying from aircraft carriers on oceans and seas all over the world, serving with several squadrons most notably VAW-123 Screwtops flying the Hawkeye E2-C. The proudest achievement of his naval career came with the key leadership role of Commanding Officer of the Naval Aviation Service Unit at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a well-respected and beloved leader, shipmate, classmate, and crew member; renowned for his sense of humor and quick smile. Dick's professional pursuits were balanced with hobbies and life with his family and friends. He was an avid tennis player. Dick's family extends heartfelt thanks to Erin Brewer and Affinity Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Dick and the family. There will be a private interment at Rolling Green Cemetery at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors Project, 855-448-3997.

"Lord, guard and guide the men who fly through the great spaces in the sky. Be with them always in the air, in darkening storms or sunlight fair; Oh hear us when we lift our prayer, for those in peril in the air!" The Navy Hymn

Commander Timothy (Tim) James Deehan, 62 years of age; his story began on January 29, 1959 and sadly we lost him on January 28, 2022.

Tim was born in Brooklyn, New York to his proud parents, James and Eileen Deehan. Tim was the middle child, with two older brothers, Kevin and Peter Deehan, and two younger sisters, MaryBeth McDonough and Eileen Deehan. Tim grew up in Pompton Plains, New Jersey and attended Pequannock Township High School followed by Manhattan College. Tim served as a Commander in the United States Navy as an E-2 Pilot, retiring after 20 years of service. Tim continued his passion for flying, initially becoming a commercial pilot. After starting a company, he continued to enjoy flying privately, sharing his love of flight with friends and family. Second to flying, Tim loved scuba diving.

Tim married Susan Marie (Eckel) Deehan in 1996. Tim was a devoted, loving father to Jacqueline Deehan, Ryan Deehan, Kayla Deehan, Christina Trincale and Stephen Shelby. Just when one thought Tim’s smile could not get any larger, his grandchildren, Ava, Dominic, Addison, Avery and Mia came along making life even more enjoyable. Tim’s love for his family, and their love for him, was boundless!

Tim loved his 5 dogs, Max, Molly, Maggie (Shaka-Shaka), Reagan and Rhett. Tim was a visionary who loved to work with his hands, building things, fixing things, gardening, planting trees, and creating a beautiful surrounding. Tim had a passion for protecting wildlife and supporting anti-poaching enforcement worldwide. He was the Director of Wings4Wildlife. Tim traveled to Africa three times and was really looking forward to going back someday.

After living for years in McLean, Virginia, Tim and Susan recently moved to a beautiful property in Delaplane, Virginia to what was going to be their “together forever” home. Tim was an incredible storyteller captivating everyone’s attention; one who truly embodied the quote: “Great stories happen to those who can tell them” -- Ira Glass. Tim never went on a trip or to visit someone without returning home with yet another fascinating story.