The Submarines Association of Australia (SAA) is saddened to advise the passing of member Rick Steltenpool on the evening of 4 June, following a suspected heart attack.

Rick was educated at Marist Brothers in Parramatta before enlisting in the Royal Australian Navy as a Junior Recruit at HMAS Leeuwin in Western Australia in the early 1970s. In 1976, he volunteered for the submarine service. He trained at HMS Dolphin in Gosport, England, before heading north to Scotland, where he became a member of the commissioning crew of HMAS Orion. He completed his Part Three training during Orion’s sea trials and safety workup, after which he was awarded his Dolphins.

He left the RAN in 1979 and was subsequently awarded the Australian Service Medal – Special Operations Clasp and the Australian Defence Medal. Following his naval service, Rick worked in several occupations, including in IT, as an Operations Manager for WBB Solutions, an engineering consultancy, and more recently as the owner of Australian Seniors First Aid until his retirement. He joined the SAA in March 2005 and was an active member of the NSW Branch for several years.

Rick was also a longtime member of the Brothers Penrith Junior Rugby League Football Club, serving as the Club’s Secretary in 1993 and as President in 1994. The SAA extends its condolences to Rick’s partner Sandra, his extended family, and his friends. His funeral details will be advised when known.