LIDMAN, Arthur Arvid

Arthur Arvid Lidman, 85, passed away peacefully April - 25, 2003. Born in the mining town of Victor, Colorado, on December 8, 1917, he grew up in Denver and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 14, 1935, at age 17. He served his country proudly for 24 years, rising from seaman to commissioned officer. He began his Navy career serving on the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48). Later he earned a place in the elite "Silent Service" serving on the submarine, USS Argonaut (SS-166). He served on submarines throughout WWII and was a crewman on the USS Tuna (SS-203) one of the first wave of submarines dispatched to take the war to Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor, spending January 1942 off the Japanese coast. Much of the war he operated out of Australia, serving on the USS Trout (SS-202) and the USS Sea Robin (SS-407); being a "plank owner" by also serving on the commissioning crew of the Sea Robin. After the war, the Sea Robin became the first submarine to round the tip of South America at the Cape Horn (see the January 1948 issue of National Geographic Magazine). In addition he served on the USS Sea Devil (SS-400) and two submarine tenders, USS Pelias (AS-14) and Bushnell (AS-15). During the Korean War he served on a rescue and salvage vessel, USS Bolster (RS-38). After retiring from the Navy in 1959, he worked for the Phoenix Union High School system at P.U. and Central high schools, retiring in 1980 after 20 years of service to the school system. He'll be remembered for his work ethic, dedication to his wife and family, sense of humor, and quick wit. Elna, his wife of 50 years, survives him as well as their two sons, Roger (wife, Cindy) Lidman and Duane (wife, Laurie) Lidman. Also surviving are: three grandchildren Sara, Gary and Scott Lidman; two brothers in Denver, Howard (wife, Ulla) Lidman and Roger (wife, Clara) Lidman. His sister, Gilberta Zwigart, preceded him in death. He also is survived by sisters and brothers-in-law and by many nieces and nephews. He was a member of several military organizations, including the U.S. Submarine Veterans of WWII. He was also an active member of the Swedish-American VASA Order of America and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3641 North 56th Street in Phoenix. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado in June. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Prince of Peace Foundation or your own favorite charity. Published in the Arizona Republic on 5/2/2003.