Police Officer Daniel E. Eaker

I was sent Dan’s memorial page from a mutual friend of Dan and I, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to recognize him. Dan was from Indiana, I from Ohio. We met in the summer of 1977 where we were in the same A-School, Gunner’s Mate Technician (GMT) class in San Diego (North Island). Following our graduation, we were both stationed (for the rest of our enlistment) in Norfolk, Va (NWTG Lant).

Under those circumstances it may seem as if we would be fast friends. We were always friendly, but not “tight” initially. I was married (after bootcamp), Dan was not (at that time), so Dan lived in the barracks, I and my wife lived in the civilian community. However, over the next three and a half years, Dan and I’s relationship grew. We had countless amounts of fun (and serious) adventures during and outside of work while at NWTG.
The main thing I want to express to those who may not have known Dan at all, or those who didn’t get a chance to know him well, was that Dan Eaker was an incredibly kind, giving, and gentle soul. I can’t ponder my Navy days without Dan being a part of them. Everybody who knew Dan, would say the same about this very special man.

I learned about Dan’s passing, right after it happened, from Dan and I’s former supervisor at NWTG. Obviously, it was a sad phone call all those years ago. But it doesn’t lessen in any way the impact or memory he had on me and those around him. That was who Dan was.

Regrettably, I wasn’t a part of Dan’s life after the Navy. I do know from others that he served proudly with the Chesapeake Police. I also know that he married and had a daughter. I never met them but I have no doubt that Dan was every bit a loving husband and father one would envision. I wish them well, and wish the same for Dan’s remaining family and friends from Indiana (or wherever they may be).

Dan will always be respected for the short life he led, by the way he led it. The way he came to the assistance of his friends back in my day; just like he came to the assistance to that truck driver that fateful night. We were all fortunate and better for having Dan in our lives.

Randy Walker GMT2, U.S. Navy

September 14, 2024