From a contemporary press report
Thomas W. Hancock, 54, a retired Navy Captain who was Vice President of a software company, died November 28, 1998 in a kayaking accident on Lake Erie, offshore from Cleveland. The Fairfax Station resident had gone to Cleveland to visit his parents.
The Coast Guard reported that Captain Hancock’s body was found by a boater three miles from shore. The cause of death is unknown, pending an investigation by the Cuyahoga County coroner.
Captain Hancock served in the Navy for 30 years, specializing in aviation maintenance. His assignments included the staff of the chief of naval operations and the Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet, where he was director of aviation programs and assistant chief of staff.
He was also executive officer and commander at the Naval Aviation Depot in Norfolk.
Since retiring two years ago, he had been vice president of Materials, Communications and Computers Inc. in Alexandria.
Captain Hancock was a native of Cleveland and a graduate of the University of Dayton.
His honors included three Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal and two Navy Commendation Medals.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Hancock of Fairfax Station; two daughters, Suzanne Hancock of Seattle and Kimberly Hancock of Richmond; his parents, George and Dorothy Hancock, both of Cleveland; two brothers; and a sister.
HANCOCK, THOMAS WILLIAM, CAPT, USN (Ret.)
On Saturday, November 28, 1998, of Fairfax Station, Virginia, beloved husband of Doris Hancock; loving father of Suzanne Hancock of Seattle, WA and Kimberly Hancock; son of Dorothy and George Hancock of Cleveland, OH; and brother of Daniel Hancock, Mary Ann Hays and James Hancock. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel. Interment to follow with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard