Ace John Sarich

Lt. Cmdr. (ret.) Ace John Sarich died peacefully in his sleep at home on February 5, 2025 after a long battle with mesothelioma. He was 80 years old.

Ace was born in 1944 in Hazelton, Pa. to Navy Chief Joseph R. Sarich and Ann Sarich. In his early years, “home was wherever the Navy sent them,” which included stations in the Panama Canal and Norfolk, Va., where he graduated from Granby High School. He was adored by his three younger sisters, Diane Bryant, Vera Lynn Tupper, and Kathleen McKee, who describe him as thoroughly kind and great fun, and fondly recall his penchant for finding adventures, knack for building things—such as his own sailboat—and love for anything that had to do with the outdoors.

At the age of 18, Ace planned to follow his father’s footsteps and join the U.S. Navy. The family pediatrician suggested he consider applying to the United States Naval Academy (USNA). Ace was perhaps more surprised than anyone that he was accepted. So began some of the most formative years of his life, where he forged lifelong friendships with fellow midshipmen, claimed to set a record for the most demerits, and still somehow proudly graduated Class of ’66. These bonds with his shipmates remained strong and a source of joy his entire life.  Even in his retired years, Ace remained connected to the brigade by attending Navy football games, providing leadership to USNA Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and enjoying Thursday morning breakfasts with classmates.

Following the Academy, Ace began his career as a Commissioned Officer in the Navy as a weapons officer aboard the U.S.S. Waller. In 1968, he was selected for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT)/SEAL Training and prepared to deploy to Vietnam. But before leaving, he had another important assignment: marry Lynne (Dickerson) Sarich. The pair met at a house party in 1969 and were married at Lynne’s church in Milford, De. a few months later, beginning a lifetime of love that persevered for more than five decades and resulted in their four daughters: Suzanne Medairy (Oakton, Va.), Holly Wenger (Annapolis, Md.), Laura Farmer (Abingdon, Md.) and Diana Letwinsky (Dunkirk, Md.).

Ace deployed with the SEALs to Vietnam in 1969 to engage in direct action and in 1972 to serve as an advisor to the Vietnamese SEALs. The brotherhood of the Navy SEALs became another cherished association that brought Ace pride and camaraderie for the rest of his life.

After Ace returned from Vietnam, he was convinced there was something more to this life. In searching for truth, he found it in the person of Jesus Christ—whose good news of grace and love compelled Ace to submit to Jesus as Lord of his life. Ace’s love for the Lord became his ultimate source of joy and an inspiration for others. He was a devoted member of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, which will host his Celebration of Life service on March 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. At EP Church, Ace led an adult Sunday school class for more than 30 years (dubbed “remedial” Sunday school by its members), served as an elder for 25 years, and frequently welcomed the church youth group for pool parties and gatherings at the Sarich home.

Ace earned his master’s in engineering from Naval Postgraduate School in 1974, followed by assignments in Panama City, Fl. and at the USNA, where he taught engineering classes until he retired in 1986. While at the Academy, he co-authored “Life Support Systems Design,” an engineering textbook and reference for diving and hyperbaric systems, as well as authored numerous technical reports and papers.

Ace’s post-Naval career included independent projects where he provided engineering consulting services to Naval Special Warfare (NSW), Navy SEALs, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) clients. He served for fifteen years as Vice President of Marine Acoustics where he was Principal Engineer and Director of the Voice Technology Division, “VoxTec,” that directed the development, production and fielding of the Phraselator®, a phrase-based, handheld translation device that was integral to the U.S. military’s early communications in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, garnered coverage in local and national news media that included the New York Times, The Today Show, and MSNBC, and earned the Small Business Innovative Research Award at DARPATech 2004. In addition to leading its development, Ace frequently supported training its end users, who included troops in Kandahar, Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Comanche Nation in language preservation.

For Ace, these professional achievements were overshadowed by his pride in and love for his family, who reveled in spending time together at backyard pool parties and cookouts—for which he was frequently the chef, that is until the grandkids “tricked” Pops into falling into the pool with his clothes on!

Ace loved the outdoors and could be seen walking the trails near his home with his dog or driving around Annapolis with the top down on his convertible or 1952 MG in all kinds of weather, always with a smile on his face. He was an avid skier and runner, completing more than 30 marathons, including the JFK 50 Mile Ultramarathon on a day’s notice with no preparation because it sounded “fun.”

His legacy of joy, selfless service, and love for God and others continues in the lives of his family: his beloved wife, Lynne Sarich. His daughters and their families: Suzanne and Brad Medairy, with Ella, Graham and Hayes; Holly Wenger (Ace is preceded in death by Thomas L. Wenger, Jr.), with Jessi, Tommy and Emmy; Laura and Tim Farmer, with Vivienne, Joel, Gloria and Camille; Diana and Justin Letwinsky, with Sasha, Ace, Fletcher, Christian, Zoe. His sisters and their families: Diane and William Bryant; Vera Lynn and Richard Tupper; Kathleen McKee (Ace is preceded in death by James McKee).

The family wishes to thank Ace’s nephew, James R. (“J.R.”) McKee, Jr., for his loving caregiving alongside Lynne during Ace’s final months of life, which allowed Ace to remain at home until he passed gently from this world into his great reward and final rest.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Celebration of Life for Ace J. Sarich

Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 1 p.m.

Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis

701 Ridgely Ave., Annapolis, Md. 21401

A reception at the church will follow.