Richard Eugene Little passed away October 11, 2008, at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital after a valiant fight with an aggressive cancer. Dick was born October 9, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years retiring as a Chief Boatswain's Mate. Dick served in a variety of assignments, notable among them were: USS Lake Champlain (CVS-39) where he first qualified as a boat coxswain; USS Arneb (AKA-56) where he participated in missions to Antarctica; USS Liberty (AG-168) which was nearly lost as sea only to be saved by the extraordinary efforts of her crew; and USS Saginaw (LST-1188) which was Dick's last duty station. He also served a Tour in the Republic of Vietnam as a PBR craft master where he and his crew saved a group of soldiers in an unauthorized area under heavy fire. Dick's other assignments included Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads, P.R. and the U.S. Naval Academy where he served as craft and tug masters. Following his Navy career, Dick served the City of Norfolk in the Sheriff's Dept. for another 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant.

Dick had many interests in life. He was an adept pool player starting as a teenager, a gifted piano player with perfect pitch, a skilled, self-taught watch repairer, and an avid reader, particularly of WWII history. Dick had an inquiring mind and an incredible memory.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Tomoko; daughters Sue Oliver and her husband Dess of Jacksonville, FL; Lory Lagoyda and her husband Loren of Suffolk; Joey Crane of Norfolk; Flora Aronson of Pasco, WA and granddaughters Brittany Dixon and Delaney Little of Norfolk.

Friends may join the family for visitation on Friday, October 17, 2008 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk. Inurnment will follow at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veterans Cemetery, with Military Honors. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com