John Richard Selmer (LCDR)
June 24, 2024
Heart Complications

John Richard Selmer was born on April 10, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of Robert Jack Selmer (USNA Class of 1943) and Margaret Meadows Selmer. John attended Berkeley High School and Mercersburg Academy and then reported to USNA in 1963. John cherished his time at USNA. It played a crucial role in shaping his life and identity.

After graduating near the top of his class, John received his commission in the Navy. Ensign Selmer then began preparing for future service in the submarine force. Once he had completed nuclear power training and submarine school, John was assigned duty aboard USS ASPRO, an attack submarine homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Three years later, after qualifying as Engineer Officer, he reported to the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Unit at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

After the Navy, John earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Operations Research, both at Stanford University. He built his post-naval career at International Business Machines, American President Lines, and eventually with Visa International.

John married his much-loved wife, Kristin Salsig, in 1980 and raised their family in Palo Alto, California. Upon retirement in 2007, John and Kristin moved to Nevada City, California. Retirement allowed John the time to continue his hobbies of stamp collecting, reading, photography, model boat building, and wood carving.

John was an avid lifelong swimmer. He started swimming in high school and was on the USNA varsity swim team. While living in the Bay Area, he swam for the Palo Alto Masters and joined the Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club as an open water swimmer. John enjoyed completing open water distance events across the country and swam the English Channel in 1995. He continued to swim well into retirement.

Predeceased by his parents, John is survived by his wife, Kristin; their children (and spouses), Lisa (Paul), Sarah (Ben), and Molly; nine grandchildren; and his sisters, Susan and Chris. He was predeceased by his son Douglas, who was killed in a vehicular accident in 1994.

John was bigger than life, exceptionally smart, true to his word, and a strong, supportive husband, father, and grandfather. His legacy and impact will live on in all of us.