Christopher Patrick Lydman

Senior Chief, USN

Very soon after graduating from Moravia, NY High School (1981),

Senior Chief Christopher headed to Alaska to join an 80' Research

(Diving) Vessel and miscellaneous commercial fishing and crabbing

vessels. The Bering Sea is a rugged training ground!

The Ralph Lydman Family (Chris's parents) were farmers, with our lakefront home and land on Owasco Lake, part of Finger Lakes formed by glacial activity in upstate New York. Indians named these extremely deep lakes. Christopher became a very capable swimmer, diver and power boatman.

The Alaskan fishing industry, in many ways, prepared Christopher for his move to serve in the USN. After Basic Training at Great Lakes Naval

training Center, Illinois, Chris was chosen to attend Nuclear Power School at upstate New York (Westinghouse Corp.).

For 22 years, Senior Chief Lydman served as USN Diver and Nuclear

Power Specialist, leading 25 USN sailors in charge of the Attack Sub's Power Plant. Many years were spent chasing Russian submarines through much of the World's oceans. (Labeled "The Cold War!")

The Attack Subs were also busy training Special Forces Groups in the

art of secret landings!

One of the crowning moments in Senior Chief Lydman's U.S. Naval

career was the planning and implementation of a USN Attack Submarine descending to the full depth of a Polar Ice Field, and then safely

surfacing the Attack Sub and its crew of 125 total USN sailors and

officers through the Polar Ice Field. Worldwide applause was received!!

Senior Chief Lydman passed away on May 2, 2014 at the age of 49.

Ten years of battling cancer brought on by radiation exposure was more than Senior Chief Lydman could handle. He received a U.S. Navy burial.

Senior Chief Lydman married Valerie Smith in 1983 in Alaska. The

marriage ended in divorce in 2000. Senior Chief Lydman is survived by his 3 children: daughters Emily Fanock of Florida and Kimberly Virgin of

Indianapolis, IN; and a son, Kyle Lydman, also of Florida. He has a

granddaughter, Hannah, and two grandsons, Landon and Tyson.

Senior Chief Christopher is also survived by his parents, Ralph and

Dorothy Lydman of Williamsburg, IA; a brother, Brian Lydman of Colorado; 2 sisters, Laurie Gangl of LeRoy, NY, and Susan Bergerstock of Moravia, NY; 2 brothers-in-law and 5 nieces and nephews.

- Christopher, We Are All So Proud of You! And We Miss You!

Much love from your Family! And may The Good LORD Always Be Near!