LT ROBERT D. BIEDERMAN, USN

Class 1954

Born August 27, 1930

Died April 10, 1963

Age 32

Hometown Hartford, Connecticut

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1954 Lucky Bag:

Robert Donald Biederman

CREW—4,3. FOREIGN LANGUAGES CLUB—4,3. FOOTBALL—3,2. ENGINEERING CLUB—2. VARSITY: CREW—4,3,2,1.

A Connecticut Yankee from the word go, Bob spent two years at the University of Connecticut before deciding to make the Navy his career. He was sometimes called the human chest by his classmates, a definite tribute to his work behind an oar in one of Rusty Callow’s eight-man shells. When not rowing, tennis and the middle distances on the cinder track took up his time. As a charter member of the Flying Squadron Bob set many a record by the O.D.’s watch. Equally at home with a slide rule, he found no mystery in skinny or math. Bob’s quick smile and easy manner made him a friend of all. He will make a fine officer in the service of his country.

He was a member of the 2nd Regimental staff for the third set and the 19th Company staff for the winter set.

Loss

Robert was lost when USS Thresher (SSN 593) sank with all hands on April 10, 1963.

Obituary

From USS Thresher Memorial:

Robert Donald Biederman was born on August 27, 1930, in Hartford, Connecticut. While attending Weaver High School in Hartford, he was active in sports, including track, cross country, and basketball. After being graduated from high school in 1948, he entered the University of Connecticut, and in June 1950, he was accepted as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He was graduated from the Academy with the class of June 1954, and commissioned as an ensign.

His first assignment as a naval officer was aboard the Newport-based destroyer U.S.S. Hyman (DD 732). After 3 years of sea duty, Robert was selected for postgraduate study at Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, Glen Cove, Long Island, N.Y. He successfully completed the course of study and was graduated with a master of science degree in naval architecture.

Robert volunteered for submarine duty and entered the Submarine School at the U.S. Naval Submarine Bass, New London, Connecticut. His first assignment in submarines, after completing the course of instruction, was in the U.S.S. Cavalla (SS 244). It was while serving in that command that Robert qualified as a submariner and was awarded his gold dolphins; insignia of the submariner.

He reported to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in June 1962, where he studied in the Nuclear Power Submarine Familiarization Training Unit until December. In January 1963, Robert was assigned to the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593), in his capacity as senior ships superintendent for non-nuclear work for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

During his naval career, Robert had been awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal with European Clasp and the National Defense Service Medal.

He is survived by his widow, the former Bettie Boehringer of Meriden, Connecticut; sons, Gregory, Bruce and Eric; and a daughter, Deborah. He also leaves his mother, Mrs. Dorothy S. Biederman; four brothers, and three sisters, all of Hartford, Connecticut.

Per the Record-Journal of April 12, 1963, Robert was in charge at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire for the repairs on the Thresher. In this capacity, he boarded the Thresher for the sea trials. “It is the height of irony and fate that the only voyage Lt. Biederman made aboard the Thresher turned out to be his last.”

Robert was a carrier for the Hartford Courant and received $25 War Bonds in 1944 and 1945.

In June 1947, Robert was chosen to attend the American Legion’s sixth annual Nutmeg Boys State program at the Fort Trumbull branch of the University of Connecticut in New London. During the week-long program, 200 youths learned “principles of good government, democracy and Americanism.”

Robert graduated from Weaver High School in 1948. While attending the University of Connecticut, he served as an electronics technician seaman in the naval reserve.

In July 1950, Robert was appointed to the Naval Academy by the Navy Department from the Sixth Division of the Hartford Reserve.

Robert married Bettie Aletha Boehringer at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Meriden on September 25, 1954.

Robert’s father Bernhard was a retired policeman who died in 1948.

He has one Find A Grave entry here and another for his memorial marker in Arlington National Cemetery.