Richard Eugene Basye

Richard was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on June 15, 1946. As a boy, he spent countless hours playing street baseball, fishing, and boating in the Chesapeake Bay. He was an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Maury High School in 1964, he enrolled in Old Dominion University but paused his studies to enter Army officer candidate school in 1968 and was commissioned in the US Army Corps of Engineers the following year.

Richard met his wife, Sherry while he was serving at Fort Eustis, Virginia, as the head instructor at the US Army Salvage Diving School. They married in Norfolk in April of 1971. Soon after, Richard was stationed in the Republic of South Korea as a company commander in the 44th Engineer Battalion. In December of 1972, they welcomed their first child, Katherine into the family.

After returning from overseas service, Richard completed an assignment in Missouri, then back to Maryland, where the family grew by one when Richard Taylor (Taylor) was born. Richard was then assigned as a resident engineer where he oversaw the construction of the Bloomington Dam in Western Maryland.

In 1979, the Army moved Richard and family moved back to the Tidewater area, where he and Sherry raised their family in Hampton for 6 years. Nearly every summer weekend was spent on the waters and beaches of the Chesapeake Bay, boating and teaching his children to fish, waterski, and the importance of filling one's boat with essential snacks like animal cookies and homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He diligently studied to earn his Masters in Engineering from the University of Southern California and obtained his Professional Engineer license.

In 1985, Richard and his family moved overseas to the Headquarters of the US European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. During this time Richard was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and swapped water skis for snow skis, and beach trips for road trips to castles, museums, and historical sites across the continent. Richard returned to Maryland in 1988 to serve as the Director of Engineering and Housing at Fort Detrick, followed by his final active-duty assignment as the Deputy District Engineer of the Baltimore District Corps of Engineers before retiring in 1993.

Over a 24- year Army career, Richard’s awards and his decorations included include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), the National Defense Service Ribbon (1 OLC), National Defense Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, and he was awarded the Corps of Engineers de Fleury Medal for outstanding contributions to military engineering.

Upon retirement from the Army, Richard took a contract engineering position in Albany, New York, until his relocation to Virginia Beach in 2002. He was a member of the Norfolk Navy Sailing Association and the Old Point Comfort Yacht Club, participating in Thursday night races and regional regattas for several years. He volunteered with the Sea Scouts, eventually donating his beloved sailboat, Miss B Haven, for use as a training vessel.

Richard loved his neighborhood and neighbors in Hillcrest Farms and spent his last 20 years enjoying walks, driveway chats, and lending handyman’s advice to those living nearby.

Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Louis, and his parents, Louis Monroe Sr. and Eugenia Pearl Belcher Basye.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sherry Terry Basye; his daughter, Katherine Basye Welton and her husband, Dr. Ellsworth Judd Welton of Ellicott City; his son, LTC (R) Richard Taylor and his wife, Laura Margaret Basye of Fairfax Station, Virginia; his grandchildren, Liam Taylor Basye, George Charles Basye, Benjamin Joseph Welton, and Julia Grace Welton.

A memorial ceremony and reception will be held on 5 September 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Smith Williams Funeral Home in Virginia Beach, with interment at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad. https://pachvrs.networkforgood.com/