William H. Garzke Jr. Obituary

William Henry Garzke, Jr. of Woodbridge, Virginia, passed away peacefully on May 17th, 2025, at the age of 89. William was born in New York, NY on October 3, 1935, to William Henry Garzke, Sr. and Edith (Sullivan) Garzke.

William or “Battleship Bill” as he was affectionately called, started his college career with courses at both Queens College and Brooklyn College in New York, studying geology. Knowing that he might be better suited at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO, he transferred his studies and boarded a train headed toward the next chapter of his life. On that train he read a book about a famous German battleship and the Allies’ success in thwarting its progress during WWII. That book catapulted him toward his true calling in naval architecture. He quickly transferred to the University of Michigan where he majored in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. His post-graduate studies included Ship Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was also employed as a teaching assistant, and his master’s degree from Adelphi University in applied mathematics. Bill also served as a research assistant at Webb Institute and as an adjunct professor of naval architecture at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. In 2007 he was awarded the Michigan-Rosenblatt Award by the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering for his work in promoting the art and science of marine forensics.

Upon graduation from the University of Michigan, Bill went to work for ship design firm Gibbs & Cox, Inc. For 41 years Bill worked for Gibbs & Cox designing commercial and naval ships, first in their New York office and later transferring to Arlington, VA. In 2001 he “retired”, but with a passion for naval architecture he continued his calling working for several government contractors including Camber Corporation, CSC, CSRA and CACI. In 2015 Bill tried once again to retire, but unsuccessfully. He continued his calling part-time through 2020, culminating in an astounding 60-year career in the marine industry. His most notable contributions include the design of the African Moon class for Farrell Lines, President Jefferson Class for the APL Line, CG 15 and 26, CGN 38, FFG-7, DDG 51, LHD 8, and LHA 6 & 7.

One of Bill’s greatest professional passions was his membership in the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), serving in various positions from 1959 until his passing, including Chairman of the New York Metropolitan Section and Honorary Vice President. In 1993 he was honored by SNAME as One of the 100 Notable Naval Architects of the Twentieth Century. His greatest contribution in the Society was serving as co-founder and Chair of the SNAME Marine Forensics Committee. Under his leadership as Chair, he contributed to numerous forensic analyses of historic shipwrecks including the RMS Titanic, DKM Bismark, HMS Prince of Wales, MS Estonia, RMS Lusitania, the SS Andrea Doria, and the HMS Hood, among others. The committee was instrumental in rewriting the loss of RMS Titanic and DKM Bismarck, and garnered vast interest including from movie director, producer, and underwater explorer James Cameron who ultimately became a member of the Committee. Bill’s work on the RMS Titanic gave him the opportunity to join two scientific expeditions to the wreckage site aboard the MS Ocean Voyager. In 1999 he assisted in creating an exhibit on the RMS Titanic for the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, MD. His work also led to several television documentaries with both the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.

Through publications beginning in 1976, Bill showcased his interests in forensics with a trilogy of books that he co-authored with his best friend and colleague Bob Dulin, covering technical aspects of the WWII battleships of the U.S., Allied, and Axis powers. Most recently in 2019, they co-authored, along with William Jurens and James Cameron, a comprehensive book on the design, construction and operational history of the battleship DKM Bismarck. He also authored a book on the analysis of the early Cunard and White Star superliners as well as numerous technical papers and articles.

Despite his immense career in naval architecture, Bill would tell you that the two greatest accomplishments were getting married to the love of his life, Loretta, and becoming a father to his daughter, Elisabeth. He could seldom mention their names without bringing a tear to his eye. Bill also loved baking pies with his grandsons, playing bridge with his friends, gardening, running his Lionel trains with anyone that would watch, and watching baseball - most notably his cherished Cleveland Guardians and his hometown team, the New York Mets. One of his most treasured memories was attending game 1 of the 2016 World Series with his daughter by his side. The Guardians (Indians) lost the series, but that game 1 win stayed with him forever.

Bill’s cherished wife Loretta preceded him in death in November 2004. It is with great joy and peace that we know they are reunited in heaven once again. Bill is also preceded in death by his father, William H. Garzke Sr., mother, Edith Garzke, and sister Patricia Cecka. William leaves behind his daughter Elisabeth Anne Tefft, son-in-law Stephen Anello Tefft, and his beloved grandsons Dylan James Tefft and Brayden William Tefft. He also leaves behind his sister Barbara LeClerc, many nieces and nephews, as well as a magnificent collection of friends that have become family over the years. He humbly and with great joy accepted the designation of “Uncle Bill” to many that loved him.

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Visitation
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home and Crematory - Dale City 4143 Dale Blvd. Dale City, VA 22193

Service
Thursday, May 29, 2025 12:30PM - 1:30PM
St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church 18825 Fuller Heights Rd Triangle, VA 22172