Royal M. Tysdal

Royal Tysdal died on June 14, 2025, at the home of his daughter Susan Rhoderick, whom he was visiting. He spent time on his last day of life with Susan, his daughter Karla, and three of his grandchildren. The cause of death was complications from end stage kidney disease.

For the last four and one half years of his life, Royal lived with Karla and her husband Charles (Chip) Vernon in Vienna, Virginia. Up to the time of his death, he was mentally acute and enjoyed several activities, including acrylic painting, eating well-cooked meals, and visiting with his relations.

Birth and Education

Royal Merlin Tysdal was born October 5, 1929, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was the son of Hewitt Tysdal and Esther Tysdal (nee Eastvold) and the brother of Sylvia Hageboeck, who died in 2019.

After moving to Maryland as a child, Royal attended McKinley High School in Washington D.C. from 1944 to 1947, where he was captain of the Boys Cadets Band.

Royal attended the University of Maryland from 1947 to 1949 and majored in Mechanical Engineering. He played alto sax in the Marching Band and was a member of the ROTC Pershing Rifles.

When his parents moved to California, Royal transferred to the University of California at Berkley to finish his college education. He graduated in June 1952 with a BS Degree in Industrial Engineering.

Service in the US Navy

In June 1952, Royal entered the Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He later attended the Diesel Engine School in Great Lakes, Illinois, and the Navy’s Amphibious School in San Diego, California. From October 1952 to June 1953, he was assigned to a Navy Tank Landing Ship (U.S.S. LST 692) as Engineering Officer.

In June 1953, Royal volunteered for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Indian Head, Maryland. He was qualified in SCUBA and as a 2nd Class Diver (hard hat).

After obtaining this certification, Royal was assigned to Lewes, Delaware, where he served as a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer. He was Honorably Discharged from active service in the Navy in October 1955, when he was also promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Navy Reserves.

Employment as Design and Aeronautical Engineer

Royal began his post-Navy career with General Electric Co. in 1955, first in its Management Training Program in York, Pennsylvania (electric welding machines) and then at the Jet Engine Plant in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Royal next worked for 4 years at the U.S. Government Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C., where he was employed as a Design Engineer for several weapons and missile projects.

From 1960 to 1997, Royal worked at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, in the Test and Evaluation Division. He coordinated environmental tests on many payloads and satellites, including the first Canadian satellite, “Alouette,” and the weather series “TIROS.” He attended many launches at Wallops Island, Virginia, Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the Western Test Range in Lompoc, California. He retired from government service in 1979.

Marriage and Children

Royal married Nancy A. England, on May 29, 1954, at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church in University Park, Maryland. During the early years of their marriage, they lived in Rehoboth Beach, Maryland.

Royal and Nancy’s first child, Karla Ann, was born in July 1956. A second daughter, Susan Lynn, was born in April 1958.

Royal and Nancy enjoyed over 66 years of marriage, until Nancy passed away on December 9, 2020, in Olney, Maryland. They lived for many years in Adelphi, Maryland, before moving to Easton Maryland.

Interests and Hobbies

Royal was an avid golfer, with his lowest handicap being 13. He enjoyed camping and boating. Karla and Susan have fond childhood memories of the family’s camping and Ocean City visits.

Royal was a master craftsman and artist. After retirement, he had a workshop where he did woodworking and made duck decoys. He also was skillful in stained glass and acrylic painting, and he made many decorations for Christmas and other holidays.

He further developed a strong interest in genealogy, where he put together several family histories. He enjoyed being able to trace his lineage to famous people such as the Emperor Charlemagne and George Washington.

Service as a Mason

Royal became a Mason on April 10, 1978. In 1993, he became the Grand Master of Silver Spring Lodge No. 215. Royal had fond memories of the service and camaraderie of his fellow Masons in the Silver Spring Lodge.

Surviving Relatives

Royal is survived by his daughter Karla Vernon, Karla’s husband Charles (Chip) Vernon, and his grandchildren Gregory Vernon and Blake Vernon.

He is also survived by his daughter Susan Rhoderick, Susan’s son Eric Rhoderick, Eric’s wife Lindsay Rhoderick, and their children Zachary and Brooks Rhoderick.

And he is survived by Susan’s daughter Lisa Phelps, Lisa’s husband Jon Phelps, and their children Lilly Phelps and Bryson Phelps.