TAPS Capt. Eleanor L’Ecuyer, USCGR, 97, of Sun City Center, Fla., died Feb. 5, 2020. The captain was born in Boston, the oldest of three daughters. She enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve in 1944 and worked as a pharmacist’s mate in Port Angeles, Wash. She was honorably discharged in 1946. After graduating law school, she was given a direct commission in the Coast Guard (the first female to have this distinction) and as a lieutenant, received active duty orders to Washington, D.C. She retired in 1971 at the rank of captain, the highest rank women could hold at that time. Among her many accomplishments was contacting Academy- award winning costume designer Edith Head to overhaul the design of the female Coast Guard military uniform. Using her background in law, the captain challenged policies that limited the work female servicemembers could do, including one that viewed pregnancy as grounds for discharging women from the service. She advocated for co-location of active duty spouses. She was influential in establishing the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington Cemetery. Capt. L’Ecuyer became a leader in her local community in Sun City, establishing a travel club, and she continued to advocate for women’s rights well into her retirement. Petty Officer 2nd Class Arik Knapp, USCGR, 31, passed away following a car accident Feb. 3, 2020, in Washington, D.C. He was born Sept. 20, 1988, in Fort Collins, Colo. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2005, and graduated from high school in Harrisonburg, Va., in 2006. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by his surviving family; wife, Meg and daughter, Claire, his parents, Kristin and Tom; siblings Emily and Michael. Petty Officer Knapp was in the Coast Guard for 10 years, serving in Boston, Norfolk, Puerto Rico, Juneau, and, most recently, Sector Delaware Bay. He completed a degree in cybersecurity from University of Maryland, he began a job as a cyber security project manager. He will be deeply missed by all. Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Ray VanDyke, USCGR, 79, passed away Feb. 20, 2020. He was born June 9, 1940 in Louisville, K.Y. He was an Eagle Scout, graduate of Manual High School Class Thank you, ma’am, for your invaluable contribution to the service. Capt. Roger Pike, USCGR, 78, passed away June 20, 2020, in High Point, N.C. He was born in Greensboro, N.C. to H. Colon and Esther Pike, He graduated with his bachelors degree from High Point University and his masters degree from Appalachian State University, later serving on High Point University’s board of visitors. Capt. Pike entered the Coast Guard in 1966 and was commissioned as an ensign at Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Va., beginning a 25- year career. He would serve tours in North Carolina, New York, and Seattle, finally retiring in 1991 from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Retirement took the Pikes to communities in Williamsburg, Va., and Seattle, as well as long rentals in Europe, before finally settling in North Carolina again in 2014. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 55 years, Edna Hilliard Pike, originally of Kernersville, as well as his niece, Dr. Patty Hilliard Clayton (Kevin) and nephew Gray Hilliard (Georgina). In keeping with his wishes, there will be no public funeral or memorial service. He will be deeply missed by his family. of 1958, and retired from the Coast Guard Reserve after serving for over 32 years, most of that time on the Ohio River. He was predeceased by his parents George and Essie Catherine VanDyke and sister Sue Byers. Left to cherish his memory is his loving and devoted wife of 54 years Jean (nee Hill) VanDyke, daughters Laurie Kelly (Chris), Stacie Buren (Mike), grandchildren: Emma, Owen, Hollie Buren, brother A. Ronald VanDyke (Pam), sister Martha VanDyke, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be missed by his friends and family. Master Chief Petty Officer Lurty C. Houff, Jr., USCGR, 87 of Casanova, Va., passed away April 29, 2020. Lurty was born in Washington D.C. June 8, 1932 to Lurty and Margurite Houff. He is survived by his sister, Louise Rooney, and his three children: Debbie Ritchie (Tom), Larry Houff (Gina), and Trudy Graefe (Tim), his nine grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 65 years, Mary Lou, and his parents. Master Chief Lurty joined the Coast Guard Reserve in January of 1951, and continued to serve for 41 years, retiring as a command master chief. He served under three captains of Reserve Group Baltimore. Fair winds and following seas, Master Chief. Issue 2 • 2020 � RESERVIST 59
