Richard George Leuck

Richard George Leuck, of Salem, CT, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the age of 81. A Celebration of Life and Military Memorial Service will be held on a future date to be determined. Richard requested burial at sea.

Richard (Dick) Leuck was born October 11, 1944, in San Diego, CA to the late Robert Vaness and Rachael (Hayden) Leuck. Richard grew up around San Diego and Chula Vista, California. After graduating from Chula Vista High School, he earned an Associate’s Degree in Engineering at San Diego State University. Following in his WWII/Korean War veteran father’s footsteps, he joined the US Navy. While in the Navy, Richard served aboard several submarines, including the USS Sculpin (SSN-590), USS Gurnard (SSN-662), and the USS Boston (SSN-703). During his service, Richard earned several Shellbacks by crossing the equator at specific points. He also sailed under the Arctic ice and the North Pole and earned many service awards as well as unofficial honorary certificates. His naval career sent him back and forth between the base at North Island, Coronado, in California and Subase New London, in Groton, Connecticut several times. During one such move, he met his future wife. He was united in marriage to Susanne Mary Rondeau on June 21, 1975, at the Shepherd of the Sea Chapel in Groton, CT. During a double date with Susanne and her sister, Jane, Richard introduced Jane to fellow sailor, Floyd King. Floyd and Jane would later marry and have three children. Richard and Susanne moved several times with the Navy before settling down in Salem, CT, where they raised their daughter and son. Richard lived in Salem for the past 43 years.

Richard served as a submariner in the US Navy, serving in the Vietnam Conflict. As is normal with the Silent Service, most of the naval activities he was involved with were kept to himself. He did not share with the family or friends. He did, however, send postcards and letters to his children from the many far away ports. Of note, he did mention action while on the USS Sculpin involving tracking a munitions-smuggler trawler for 2500 miles and helping to secure pieces of the Space Shuttle Challenger off the coast of Florida in 1986, while aboard the USS Boston. Richard ended his naval career as an instructor at Sub School and the USS Boston. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer.

Following military retirement, he was an active Life Member of the VFW. He served in many positions, including Salem Post 2774 Commander, CT District 4 Commander, and the National Chief of Staff for Connecticut, among others. For more than a decade, he ran the Town of Salem’s Memorial Day Parade. He was honored as a Parade Grand Marshal in 2022. For many years, he organized and participated in the town cemetery cleanups with the VFW and the Boy Scouts, ensuring that veteran’s markers were clear and had new flags every Memorial Day. He was also instrumental in the VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship programs in Salem. Outside of naval life, Richard helped in the community as an assistant coach for little league baseball, an Assistant Den Leader and Scout leader in Cub and Boy Scouts, and an active band parent for the Montville Indians Marching Band. He also trained and competed with his family and their 3 dogs in the Dolphin Dog Training Club. Richard was a longtime member of the Mystic Rod and Gun Club. He also enjoyed watching UCONN Huskies basketball games, skiing with his family, and camping in both tents and RVs at various Outdoor World campgrounds.

Besides his wife of nearly 51 years, Susanne, Richard is survived by their children, Rebecca Leuck (Oscar Galvez) of Bismarck, ND and William Leuck (Sandra Adams) of Griswold, CT and his grandchildren, Elijah Galvez, Kyllian Leuck, and Evolet Leuck. He is also survived by his sister, Roberta Proctor, brother, Russell Leuck, many cousins, and many nieces and nephews as well as grand-nieces and -nephews. Richard’s son-in-law served as a Lieutenant in the US Coast Guard and his son currently serves as a First Sergeant in the CT Army National Guard. Richard was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, at https://www/alz.org/ct/about or in writing to: 10 Executive Dr Suite 202 Farmington, CT 06032. Please leave an online condolence for the Leuck family at www.montvillefuneralhome.com.