John Perry Langenheim, 92, died peacefully in his sleep on March 18, 2025, in Edmonds, Washington. John is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Kathleen Langenheim; his daughter Jane Langenheim Kistler (John); four step children, Tim Cross, Ashley Coats, Susan Bradford and Blair Norris; as well as grandchildren, William, Connor (Emily) and Emma Kistler.   He is preceded in death by his son William Langenheim, his parents Hay and Eva Langenheim; siblings Patricia Callahan, James Langenheim, Jane Wax and nephew, Larry Lippman. 

John was born in Hollywood, CA, to Hay and Eva Langenheim on December 28, 1932. He graduated from Newport Union High School in Newport Beach, CA, and was a true, native, southern California beach boy.  He was accepted into the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, graduating in 1956. He then attended and graduated from the US Naval Submarine school and ultimately served as an officer on submarines his entire career out of New London, CT; Key West, FL; Virginia Beach, VA; and Pearl Harbor, HI. He was also proud of his assignment to work on a special communication control system out of Dreux, France, set up by President Kennedy. He achieved the rank of Commander, and participated in submarine deployments primarily in the Atlantic arena, commanding the USS Halfbeak (SS-352) from 1969-1971. John served in the US Navy for 21 years.

Retiring from the Navy in 1977, he worked out of Honolulu, HI, as a yacht broker, and as a marina manager (CMM), and then moved to Amsterdam, Holland, to pursue a life-long passion to travel the rivers and canals of France, which he did for a year on his 54 ft. steel-hulled Dutch Tjaulk. He then returned to Honolulu to begin a second career as a program manager for Honeywell Marine Systems, eventually moving to Seattle. While working 12 years for Honeywell in their international programs, he traveled to 15 countries in Europe and the Middle East, coordinating sales of defense systems.  In 1994, he married Kathleen in Bozeman, MT, subsequently living in Spokane, WA, Naples, FL, and Edmonds, WA.

Besides serving his country in the military, John’s private life was also dedicated to service in the communities in which he lived. He volunteered for, founded or led over 20 charitable organizations during his retirement, including the Montana Ambassadors, the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International. In 2005, he was named Rotarian of the Year by the Bozeman, MT, Rotary Noon Club. When he moved to Spokane, he became a member of Spokane Club 21, and was instrumental in creating a committee in support of Veterans.

With all this, he still had time for his three other passions in life: family, church and boating. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren’s many accomplishments, including his eldest grandson’s service in the US Army infantry.  He and Kathleen were always partners together when serving their respective non-profits, committees and churches in Bozeman, Spokane and Naples. 

John will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the USNA Alumni Foundation.