Captain Norman F. “Red” Stein, 95

June 2, 1928 - February 04, 2024

Captain Norman F. “Red” Stein, USN (RET), a resident of Willow Valley Retirement Community in Lancaster, PA, died on Sunday, February 4, 2024.

Red, son of the late Harry and Ruth Stein of New Kensington, PA, was born on June 2, 1928. He grew up and attended school in his hometown until he entered Valley Forge Military Academy in 1944. At Valley Forge he was very active in sports, lettering for three years in football and track, and a three-time Corps boxing champ. He graduated from Valley Forge in 1947 and attended North Carolina State College for a year on a football scholarship. He entered the USNA in 1948 with the Class of 1952, through a Congressional appointment. At the Naval Academy he was Brigade Boxing Champ in 1949, and a member of the 1950 Varsity football team. Red was President of his Naval Academy Class 1969-1974.

Upon graduation, Red was assigned duty in the Calvert (APA-32), enjoying much at sea time deploying to the Western Pacific during the Korean War. In January 1954, Red entered Submarine School, and upon graduation was assigned to duty in Quillback (SS424) and the Chivo (SS341) in Key West. In 1958, Red returned to New London as an instructor at Sub School. In 1960, he was assigned duty in Medregal (SS480) at Pearl Harbor, followed by a tour as Executive Officer in Blackfin (SS322). After Pearl Harbor, he returned to the mainland in 1963 for duty in the Submarine Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1965 he took command of Sea Fox (SS402). This was followed by duty in the Underseas Warfare Division of the Office of Naval Intelligence for which he was awarded his first Legion of Merit. In 1970, Captain Stein earned a Masters Degree in International Relations from American University and attended the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. graduating in 1971. He then took the command of Submarine Division 31 in San Diego, and in 1973, he returned to duty in Washington as Aide and Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Logistics for which he was awarded his second Legion of Merit. In 1976, Captain Stein took command of Sacramento (AOE 1) in Bremerton, WA, his final tour of active duty, retiring in October of 1978.

Upon retirement. Captain Stein and his wife Lonnie returned to his hometown and joined his father in the family insurance and real estate business, He became very involved in community activities. He was president of New Kensington Rotary Club, served as a President of the Advisory Board of Penn State University at the New Kensington campus, designated as Emeritus Member of the Board, and in 2004, he was honored as their Renaissance Man of the Year. He was involved, with several others, in establishing the multi community Strongland Chamber of Commerce, later serving as Chairman. Captain Stein was instrumental in establishing Leadership Alle-Kiski Valley, an organization to prepare young adults for leadership roles in the Military Academy, served as Chairman 2001-03, and was designated an Honorary Life Trustee in 2005. In 1997 he was honored with the school’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2017 he was awarded Valley Forge’s highest honor, The Order of Anthony Wayne.

In 1999, Red and Lonnie moved to Edgewater, MD so they could enjoy the friendship of the many classmates in the Greater D.C. area. In 2006, the two of them, and their beloved Siberian Husky, Balti, moved to Willow Valley Retirement Community, joining a dozen or so classmates and their wives living there. Captain Stein was a Mason and Shriner, a Life Member of the VFW, US Submarine Veterans, USNA Alumni Association, and the VFMA Alumni Association. He was an ardent reader with a passion for international relations and politics. He gave up on golf in the 80’s and took up weight lifting, a hobby that he pursued into his 90’s.

Captain Stein is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, the former Lonnie Sharp of Birmingham, AL.

A reception and light lunch will take place at 12 pm Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Lakes Auditorium, 300 Willow Valley Lakes Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584.

A memorial service at the United States Naval Academy Jewish Chapel will take place Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 1100 Hours, followed by interment with Military Honors at the Academy columbari.