Richard S. Erdt, also known as Captain Deepwater Dick, 73, died in his home in Eclipse on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. He was born Dec. 18, 1942, in Richmond to the late Richard F. and Edith Erdt.

Dick graduated from Glouster High School in 1962, where he was a star in football and track. He was also voted most talented in his senior class. Dick joined the Navy in October 1962 and served until 1966 and was a Vietnam veteran. He was also a Sunday school teacher and superintendent in Waterview, where he taught guitar to his students and worked with the Boy Scouts of America for a period of time. In the latter part of the 1960s, he taught seamanship and celestial navigation at Fort Eustis. Dick worked as a professional waterman for years. During that time he earned his nickname, “Deepwater Dick,” from oystering in deeper water with 26 foot tongs instead of the standard 16 feet. Later, as a tugboat captain, he quickly earned the reputation as one of the best and most sought after in the Chesapeake Bay region. He had a great love for horses and was quite the horseman, sharing knowledge and talent with others.

Left to cherish his memory are his fiancée, Mary Hill; children, Stephaine Vantasel (Todd), Jenny Bragdon (George), Shane Erdt, Alex Lizyness; stepchildren, Ashley, Chad, Jeremy; siblings. Frank Erdt, Tina McDermont, Ann Ziegelhofer; and numerous friends and family. One friend described him as “The kind of person you carry in your soul wherever the seas take you, the world won’t see his caliber again.”

Deepwater’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at 2 p.m. at C.E.&H. Ruritan Hall, 8881 Eclipse Drive, Suffolk. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. R.W. Baker Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. Condolences may be offered at www.RWBakerFH.com.