Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Randolph S. Purdy of Cape St. Claire, Annapolis, MD died on February 8, 2019.

LCDR Purdy was born in Haywood, WV to Anna Kokenzie and Stanley Purdy.  Soon after his birth he moved to Boston, MA where he was raised.

At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy.  He served as a Sonarman and attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class when he was selected for the Seaman to Admiral Program.  Upon completion of the program he was commissioned as an Ensign and assigned as a Damage Control Officer.  Throughout his career in the Navy performed many duties including Instructor at the Naval Academy for Nautical Navigation as well as duty in Vietnam as a Military Advisor with South Vietnamese Riverboats.  He met his devoted and caring wife, Claire Purdy, who he married in 1969.  He retired from the Navy in 1976 with 20 years of active service.  His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with "V", Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Medal, Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign with three stars, and the Vietnam Service and Clasp.

Upon his retirement from the Navy he worked for Westinghouse Defense Contracting.  In addition to working he went back to school and earned a Bachelors of Science from UMBC.

LCDR Purdy continued to serve selflessly by volunteering with Boy Scouts of America where he served as a Scout Master with Troop 783, 2 time National Jamboree Committee Member, Commissioner for Baltimore Area Council Four Rivers District.  He is the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award which is the highest award for distinguished service to youth in the Baltimore Area Council.

LCDR Purdy was also an active member of the Fleet Reserve Association.  He was Secretary, Vice President, President of Branch 24 located here in Annapolis.  He also performed and attended many other functions within the Branch as well as regionally.

He is survived by his wife Claire Purdy; his sons Randolph Charlton, Loren Purdy, John Purdy, and Forrest Purdy; his grandchildren Anthony Charlton, Joseph Purdy, Cormac Purdy, Tiernan Purdy, Kylie Purdy, Evelyn Purdy, and Claire Purdy and his great grand children Kaetlyn Charlton and Chandler Charlton.

Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, in Severna Park.  A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 10 AM at St. Andrew by the Bay, 701 College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409.  He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on July 3, 2019.  Family and Friends attending should plan to meet at the Arlington National Cemetery Administration Building at 10:15am.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of Randolph Purdy to either the Fleet Reserve Association or the Maryland Boy Scouts of America.