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Arthur L. Wardwell Newton, MA QCWA # 19843 Chapter 146 |
Capt. Arthur L. Wardell, 104, of Newton, MA, formerly of Chittenden, VT, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2012. Born July 23, 1907 in family farmhouse in Chittenden, VT.
In 1930, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from University of Vermont. Entered Commissioned Corps of US Coast & Geodetic Survey (now NOAA), where he performed geodetic and oceanographic surveys. Rose in rank from Ensign to Naval Captain. Transferred to US Navy serving as LTCDR during WWII for four years. Was commanding officer of several large survey vessels and supervised the building of the USC&GSS Oceanographer which, after being commissioned by President Johnson, sailed around the world under Capt Wardwell's command. Retired in 1968 after 38 years of service.
In retirement he spent summers working on family farm in Chittenden, VT with Evelyn Sutten Wardwell, his wife of 65 years who passed away in 1998. He wintered with friends in Franktown on the Eastern Shore of VA. He was an avid amateur radio operator K4BSX, and a Scottish Rite Mason.
He is survived by his daughter Lynn Chernoff, son-in-law Judge Paul A. Chernoff, grandsons David and Steven (Naina) Chernoff, and great grandchildren Rayan, Dhillon and Aliya Chernof.
(Source: Boston Globe, 2/7/2012)
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Captain Arthur L. Wardwell, who commanded the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey's Ship OCEANOGRAPHER on the recently completed Global Scientific Expedition, retired on March 1, 1968, after nearly 38 years of service. Technically, Captain Wardwell retired last August 1, 1967, but was immediately recalled to active duty to complete the trip and the necessary details that followed. He served as Coast and Geodetic Survey representative in Jacksonville during the time the OCEANOGRAPHER was being built there and took command when the ship was completed in 1966.
Captain Wardwell joined the Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1930 soon after graduating from the University of Vermont, and served for the next several years on various geodetic field parties, and for several months in 1936 in Washington. For the next several years he was assigned aboard Coast and Geodetic Survey ships on the east coast and to field and office photogrammetric duties.
In April 1942, he was transferred to the U.S. Navy and was a navigating officer in both the Atlantic and the Pacific before returning to the Coast and Geodetic Survey early in 1945.
In 1950 and 1951, Captain Wardwell was assigned to the Tampa, Florida office of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as officer in charge, and again as district officer in 1957-1960.
In addition to the OCEANOGRAPHER, he also had command of the SOSBEE and PATHFINDER during the 17 years he served aboard nine different Coast and Geodetic Survey's ships.
(Source: ESSA CORPS BULLETIN, 4/1/1968; http://www.history.noaa.gov/cgsbios/biow2.html )
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Capt. Arthur L. Wardwell, 104, of Newton, Mass., and formerly of Chittenden, died Jan. 26, 2012.
He was born July 23, 1907, in Chittenden, the son of Clara (Atwood) and James Wardwell.
He graduated from high school in Pittsford and in 1930 with Phi Beta Kappa honors from the University of Vermont, where he was captain of the rifle team and a 1927 flood cleanup volunteer.
After graduation, Capt. Wardwell entered the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (now NOAA) Commissioned Corps and rose in rank from Ensign to Naval Captain, having transferred to the U.S. Navy serving as Lt. Cdr. during World War II for four years. He was commanding officer of several survey vessels, including the global voyage of the USC&GSS Oceanographer. He retired in 1968 after 38 years of service.
He enjoyed summers spent in Chittenden, winters in Franktown, Va., and he was an avid amateur radio operator (K4BSX) and a Scottish Rite Mason.
Survivors include his daughter, Lynn Chernoff of Lowell, Mass., two grandsons and three great-grandchildren.
Capt. Wardwell was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn Sutten Wardwell, in 1998; a brother, Maurice, and a sister, Frances.
Inurnment will be at a later date in Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery.
(Source: Rutland Herald on Feb. 8, 2012)
CREDITS
Obituary/biography: The Boston Globe
