Petoskey News-Review

Captain Gordon R. Bryan of Petoskey and Tucson, Ariz., died Jan. 28, 2003, at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.
Memorial services for Gordon will be held in Arizona at a later date.
Gordon was born Dec. 1, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Gordon R. Bryan and Iola Schechter. He grew up in Nichols, Conn., where as a young boy he worked on a dairy farm. Gordon has said, "This was the best education I ever had."
In 1951, he graduated from Brown University and was commissioned as Ensign in the U.S. Navy. In 1970, he received his master of science degree from George Washington University. Gordon also attended Officers' Submarine School, Nuclear Power School and Naval Justice School.
During Gordon's military career, he served on the USS Jarvis, a destroyer serving in the Korean waters. He was attached to five submarines, serving as the commanding officer of the USS Stonewall Jackson and USS Von Steuben. This was followed by a tour as Battalion Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy. He also commanded the Submarine Tender USS Gilmore in Sardinia, providing logistics support to deployed nuclear powered submarines. Before retiring in 1978, he took command of the new Trident submarine base in Bangor, Wash. During Gordon's Naval career, he received the Meritorious Unit Commendation with four stars, Navy Commendation Medal with a Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal with a Gold Star and a Korean Presidential Unit Citation. He retired in 1978.
Captain Bryan's former commanding officer and good friend, retired RADM Buck Dietzen, said, "There may have been flashier submariners, but not one who was more trustworthy or a better shipmate than Gordon."
After retiring from the Navy, Gordon became a consultant for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, traveling all over the country inspecting civilian nuclear power plants. He retired in 1990.
As a young man, Gordon enjoyed hunting and fishing. Later, he enjoyed traveling, rock hounding and reading with his wife, and in his later years he enjoyed computer games.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Judith H. Bryan; sons, Gordon L. Bryan and Steven G. Bryan, both of Seattle, Wash.; four stepchildren; three grandchildren; a sister-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, William A. Bryan.
Contributions in memory of Gordon may be made to the Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 583, Petoskey, Mich. 49770, or to the charity of choice.
Arrangements were handled by Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.