Captain Thomas L. Breitinger, USN (Ret.)

Captain Thomas L. Breitinger, USN (Ret.), age 65, son of the late Wm. M. Breitinger Jr. and Jean L. Breitinger Ziemer, passed away Friday, Jan. 30 at the Holmes Regional Medical Center following a heart procedure.
Tom treasured friendships and we all treasured him. His quick wit, spirit of adventure and tenaciousness allowed him to achieve top rankings in many diverse endeavors.
Highlights of his 30-year career in the U.S. Navy include: Commanding Officer of USS Whidbey Island; Executive Officer of USS Essex; Defense & Naval Attaché at the US Embassy in Santiago, Chile; and Head of the Natural Disaster Section at the Inter-American Defense Board in Washington, DC. He was awarded the Navy Legion of Merit award, Defense Superior Service medal, four Navy Meritorious Service medals and two Navy Commendation medals.
For the past several years, he has been substitute teaching in Coronado, Calif., Chelsea, Ala., and Melbourne, Fla. Capt. Breitinger was born in Bryn Mawr, Pa., graduated from Wyomissing Area High School in 1967, Tufts Univ. in 1971, the Venezuelan Naval War College in 1982 and the Catholic Univ. of America in 1988.
Preceded in death was his wife of 27 years, the former Teri Moore Breitinger of Chelsea, and his sister, Marcia Beverly of Panama City, Fla. Tom leaves behind his brother and sister-in-law, William and Donna Breitinger, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Donations can be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Capt. Tom Breitinger.
By his request, Capt. Breitinger’s ashes will be merged with his wife and buried at sea.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Fleet Reserve Club in Annapolis, MD, on April 18.