Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 62 Alumni Group

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Hello Norm,

Ok so our 2026 All Seabee Reunion will be a 60-year Anniversary for NMCB 62!

Thank you!

V/R, Bob Smith UTCS(SCW)(Ret)
Navy Seabee Foundation
PO Box 657 / Gulfport, MS 39502-0657
Phone: (228) 575-3858
**Located @ NCBC Gulfport in Bldg 446
bobsmith@seabee.org

Thanks Bob, this is a great honor.

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7-28-2025: Ken Penick sends Sec Norm a note: " Norm, Just to let you know that Randy Leon Troxell passed June 11, 2025. We all called him Randy during our first tour with 62. May he RIP. I posted to the tribute book for Ranny some pictures & comments on my FB page. Hope your keeping well and doing OK! Seabee Ken."

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I was an SW Constructionman from 1987 to 1989 decommissioning. Guam deployment and Det Subic Bay. Great times!

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Served under Chief Fuller and was PM Clerk in Guam when he passed. Seabee Betty gave the eulogy. Senior Chief Sutton had, I'm pretty sure saved my wayward ass on Diego the deployment before. I made it and retired in 99. CMC's McCreary and Powelson were some of my other early mentors. I made them earn their pay at times.

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Our Seabee Brother Duane Vance has passed away:
Duane R. Vance
February 28, 1947 — May 11, 2025
McDonough, GA
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Master Chief Duane R. Vance, USN, Retired of McDonough, GA, who passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 78 in Gulfport, MS.

He was born February 28, 1947 in Painesville, Ohio , the first of nine children to the late Dean Rusk and Eleanor Ruth Faerber Vance.

Duane is survived and missed by his loving wife Judy (nee Conley) of 58 years; his children, Dean (Julie) Vance and Brandy (Heather Miller) Basilio; forever cherished and revered by his grandsons, Makena Rusk (Isabelle Laurin) Basilio and Noah Dean (Rebecca Phillips) Vance; his memory lives on with his sisters, Jeanne Wepplo of Franklin, MN, Dianne Hostetler of Salem, OH, Vicki (Kevin) Hull of Glendale, AZ, Patti (David) Carver, Deanna Vance Davis both of Diamondhead, MS, and brother David (Glinda) Vance of Mooresville, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends that he loved very much.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dan R. Vance; his sister, Nancy Vance Horkey; his brothers-in-law, Freeman Hostetler and Raymond “Ray” Wepplo; and his nephew, Lawrence “Larry” Wepplo.

Duane lived an extraordinary life of service and generosity. After graduating from Madison High School in 1965, he enlisted in the Navy Seabees as a Builder Heavy Construction Third Class (BUH3) at the age of 19. He proudly served his country in multiple tours in the Vietnam War. After many assignments around the world, he was selected to serve as Command Master Chief of the Pacific Seabees for the U.S. Pacific Fleet until he transferred to his final active-duty assignment as Command Master Chief of the Twentieth Naval Construction Regiment in Gulfport, MS. He retired after 26 years of active-duty service. The U.S. Navy recognized Duane for his honorable service by awarding many citations including Meritorious Service Medals (2), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon (2), Good Conduct Award (5), National Defense Service Medal (2), Navy Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star for five Campaigns & Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citations, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following retirement from active duty, Duane went to work for Brown and Root (KBR) as a Project General Manager for 24 years before finally retiring to spend the days with his cherished wife Judy.

Duane was a lifetime member of the VFW, FRA, American Legion and the Navy Seabee Foundation.

Above all, Duane was a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather. His grandsons were the apples of his eye and brought him his greatest joy. He loved golf and was an avid reader. He also enjoyed traveling, woodworking, building, his pets, and spending time with his family and friends. Duane quietly helped and mentored countless people over the course of his life. We are all better having known him. His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes. We choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503. Family visitation will begin at 11am followed by friends at 12pm. A memorial service will begin at 1pm with interment to follow at 2:30pm at the Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Navy Seabee Foundation or your local animal shelter.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Duane R. Vance, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Upcoming Services

Visitation
Thursday, May 29, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 pm (Central time)
Riemann Family Funeral Home - Gulfport
11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503

Memorial Service
Thursday, May 29, 2025
1:00 - 1:45 pm (Central time)
Riemann Family Funeral Home - Gulfport
11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503

Burial
Thursday, May 29, 2025
2:30 - 2:45 pm (Central time)
Biloxi National Cemetery
400 Veterans Ave, Biloxi, MS 39531

We wish our Brother Duane Fair Winds and Following Seas.

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https://www.riemannfamily.com/obituaries/duane-vance

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We had a great time at the 2025 Seabee Reunion in Gulfport. Hope to see a bigger turnout next year for the 60th anniversary of the recommissioning of MCB-62 and the 60th anniversary of MCB-62's arrival in Phu Bai, Vietnam. Next year's reunion will be at the same place, Courtyard Marriott, Gulfport from April 16-29, 2026. We took a group picture during our Mcb-62 meeting on Sunday but some, like Frank Pirrello and Jerry Hilbert left early so they weren't in the picture. Larry Wheeler mentioned that our MCB-62 flag has been misplaced. If someone is aware of where it is please make arrangements to get it to the 2026 reunion meeting. I'll try to post some pictures of the reunion. Hope other pictures are posted. Rocky

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How do I submit photos of the 2025 Seabee Reunion

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3-1-2025: The photos from the 2024 Gulfport NMCB 62 Alumni Annual Meeting which was held on Sunday, 5 May 2024 are now on our website. Go to website link #2 to look at them. Two Minutemen did not leave me their email addresses on the sign-in sheet, so I need your help. If anyone knows Chuck Doom or Thomas "Tom" Bault email address or cell phone number, send me an email normhahnjr@yahoo.com and let me know so I can get in touch with them. Thanks, Norm.