RADM Harry K. Fiske, USN (Ret.)

RADM Harry K. Fiske USN (Ret.) passed away peacefully in his home in Oakton, VA on

February 4, 2022 at the age of 85.

Harry was born on July 18, 1936 in Pittsfield, MA to parents Abram and Olive Fiske. He

graduated second in his class from Pittsfield High School. Harry received a Navy ROTC

scholarship to Tufts University where he wrestled for four years and was a brother in the

Sigma Nu fraternity. He graduated with a B.S. in Geology in 1958. After graduation, he

was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Harry had a 32 year career

and was promoted to Rear Admiral Upper Half after only 28 of those years. His early

duty stations included the USS Cotton( DD-669), USS Glennon (DD-840), and USS

Hartley (DD-1029). By 1968, Harry was CO of the USS Dealey (DE-1006) which had

the highest reenlistment and promotion rates in her squadron under his command.

While a student at the Naval War College, Harry received his M.S. in International

Affairs from George Washington University. From 1969 - 1970 he served in the Coastal

Surveillance Task Group in Vietnam. After the war, Harry was back at sea as the CO of

the USS Bowen (DD-1079) which he proudly noted had the highest reenlistment and

battle efficiency ratings in the squadron. After promotion to Captain in the mid 1970’s,

Harry commanded destroyer squadrons 4 and 32. During the latter part of his career, he

served as Chief of Staff to Commander, Surface Forces Atlantic (1980-1982), Deputy

Commander Naval Sea Systems Command (1982-1987), and Vice Director, Logistics

and Strategic Mobility to Joint Chiefs of Staff (1987-1989). Harry retired from the Navy in

1990 as Rear Admiral Upper Half and Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for

Surface Warfare. After retiring, he worked as a consultant and had more time for his

many hobbies including carpentry, knife making, gardening, hunting and wood carving.

Harry married Nancy Maynard Fiske on December 31, 1959. While they moved multiple

times with the Navy, they raised three children and eventually settled in Oakton, VA.

They recently celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Harry is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Susan Murphy (Frank), daughter-in-law

Beth Fiske (David), grandchildren Rachel Rodgers (William), Conor and Brennan

Murphy, and great grandchildren William and Addison Rodgers. He is preceded in death

by his parents, his son David Fiske, and his daughter Pamela Slack.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

(www.cff.org).

Interment and memorial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. This

notice will be updated when those details become available.