Ronald John Forst, Capt. USN, Ret.

Ronald John Forst, Capt. USN,Ret., of Grasonville, MD died at his home on Thursday, December 8, 2011. He was 76. Born in New York, NY on May 5, 1935, he was the son of the late Wenzel John Forst and Edith Mann Forst. After spending his youth in New York City, Capt. Forst attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Upon his graduation, he became an officer in the United States Navy. After 10 years of service, the Navy sent him to Texas A&M, where he received his Master’s degree in Oceanography. He was sent to Vietnam to captain the USS Hickman County LST-825. During this time, his family resided in Sasebo, Japan. Later he served aboard the USS Oklahoma City as well as various other ships and he became the first Commanding Officer of the Thomas C. Hart. Following this tour, he was the US Navy representative at the Naval Command College, the international division of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He continued his service at the Pentagon, where he received the Defense Superior Service Medal for his work with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He completed his naval career with CINCPAC Fleet in Pearl Harbor. After his Naval service, Capt. Forst became a realtor, working first for Weichert Realtors and then for Long and Foster in the DC metro area before his retirement. Capt. Forst was a member of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church on the Eastern Shore, where he also served as a Eucharistic Minister. He enjoyed sailing, golf and fly fishing. Throughout his life, Capt. Forst traveled extensively both as part of his military service and on educational tours with his wife’s high school students. His travels took him to every continent except Antarctica. He is survived by his wife, Paula Forst of Grasonville, MD; his five children: Alison M. Jayne of White Stone, VA; Tracy J. Forst of Littleton, CO, Jon E. Forst of San Francisco, CA, Christopher P. Forst of Mount Pleasant, SC and Elizabeth A. Forst of San Francisco, CA; his brothers, Robert Forst of Bay Shore, NY and Glenn Forst of West Islip, NY; his sister, Deborah Poe of Charlotte, NC; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Heise. Friends may call at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Chester, MD on Monday, December 12 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 13 at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, 1861 Harbor Drive, Chester, MD. Burial with full honors will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Queen Anne's, Inc., 255 Comet Drive, Centreville, MD 21617.

Ronald John Forst, Capt. USN, Ret.

May 5, 1935 - December 8, 2011