The day after Christmas marked the passing of Paul Goodell, Sr., known to friends and family as "Dik". Dad passed away at age 81, following a short illness.

Dad left Minnesota to enlist in the US Navy during World War II, seeing action in the South Pacific aboard the submarine USS Rasher. Following the War, Dad remained in the Navy, married and raised a family, while stationed mostly at the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base in Hawaii.

After a 20-year career in the Navy, Dad moved the family to California, where he accumulated a second 20-year career working for the Lawrence Livermore National Lab. He then was fortunate enough to enjoy a retirement career longer than either of those!

Active in his children's lives, Dad was a Boy Scout leader and also an active member of the Concord High School Band Boosters. In later years he was an avid fan of his grandchildren's sports activities, attending many soccer, gymnastics, baseball and softball events.

Dad was a member of the US Submarine Veterans of WWII, and attended reunions of the USS Bumper and the USS Rasher.

Dad and Mom touring the USS Pampanito, which is now on display and open to the public. The submarine is similar to the type Dad served on during World War II. California, 2006

Dad's dog, Aku, gives him some help opening Christmas gifts. California, 1979

Scout leaders on a campout. Hawaii, 1963

Helping Dad blow out his candles on his birthday. (Dad didn't care much for cake, so always got a birthday pie.) Illinois, 1959

A legacy of military service. Dad with his father and stepmother, Kenneth and Emily. This photo was taken at Kenneth's retirement from the US Army. Georgia, 1959

Dad with his son, Rik, who served in the US Air Force. California, 1966

Dik Goodell's final sea tour was aboard the USS Barbero while stationed in Pearl Harbor. Hawaii, 1963