A Pennsylvanian, Neil Groepler parlayed two years in the Naval Reserves and a year at Hilder Prep into a Naval Academy appointment.  Neil rolled back into our class youngster year, making all of his 21st Company mates very glad he did. 

Upon graduating, after serving a tour in USS RICH (DDE-820), he entered the submarine service, joining USS SEA LION following Sub School. He rose to the rank of commander in active and reserve status, commanding a submarine repair and maintenance reserve unit in San Diego.

His civilian career focused on engineering, quality control, and marketing for Westinghouse in Buffalo, Cubic Corporation in San Diego, and Hughes Aircraft in Fullerton, California.  At Hughes, he was Manager of Marketing, ASW Programs.  He was a recreational sailor and devotee of English sports cars.  In 1986 he suffered a stroke that paralyzed his left side, but did not diminish his enthusiasm and good humor, as his Academy mates whom he joined at the 40th reunion in Annapolis will attest.  Neil’s wife Zayanne, a sweetheart to all who knew her, died of breast cancer in 1992.  Neil moved to Austin, Texas to be near their children Paul, Anne, and Amy, and died there on 12 July 2002.