Glen was always “GP” to me from way back in early l967. Who could have imagined he would become Reverend Dr. Glenden P. Riddle, The Glen Riddle known by so many of you; the marathon runner, the Greek and Hebrew scholar, the fantastic teacher of those languages?

When I first met GP I was 21 and he was 19 or 20 I believe. Like me, he was a three striper Fireman First Class newly assigned to R Section of the Engineering Division of the aircraft carrier USS Independence, CVA-62—our home for the next two years.

I have never experienced before nor since the almost instant comradery and compatibility that occurred when we met. My attitude toward him became that of a brother more than a friend. For a couple of weeks I never saw him again and wondered what happened, being unaware of the turmoil and confusion in his life. I was surprised when I saw him in the hanger bay of the carrier with a group of sailors we called “brig rats”; sailors serving time in the ship’s jail who were, at that moment, doing their morning exercises. Later he explained to me what happened. He was picked up in the bay by the Shore Patrol after “jumping ship,” a term for unauthorized absence from one’s duty station. However, in Glen’s case it was literal. He jumped some 50
feet from the flight deck into the water, survived and began swimming toward
the open ocean. When asked by a member of the Shore Patrol party where he was going, he told the guy he was “going home.” However, God was not ready for Glen to depart this life that day.

In a letter he wrote to me dated November 2003, he reminded me of what his life was like before he met Jesus Christ as his Savior:

“Without (Christ) I was suicidal, a compulsive thief, lonely, rejected, dependent on alcohol, hopeless, convinced I would never finish college, was almost kicked
out of the Navy, (and) brought much heartache to my parents. I guess I could go on for 2 or 3 pages…but this is enough to give you an idea of why I’m at a loss for words at times when I try to express my gratitude for the Lord…”

After serving a 30 day brig sentence he came back to R Division, and one evening late when most of the other crew were in their bunks and snoring, GP and I had a long conversation and during that time he expressed to me some of what I quoted above. I told him the only way he would find recovery and a meaningful, fulfilling life was in the Person of Jesus Christ, and explained to him how to believe in Christ. Our time was cut short because I had the midnight duty watch. Before leaving, I handed him a gospel tract. When I returned several hours later he was still up. He approached me with tears rolling down his cheeks and said he had trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior and gave me a hug. He and I never forgot that moment; it was the beginning of his new life and our lifetime as best friends and Christian brothers for all eternity.

After we left the Navy we enrolled at Bob Jones University and enjoyed one another’s company as much as our studies allowed. We also began dating some of the young ladies to the various concerts and plays. One day I asked a young lady who was in one of my classes to attend a Shakespearean play with me. She accepted and we had a good time, but nothing sparked. I thought she would be
a good date for Glen, and that is how he found his lovely wife, Joy. He received his BA and Master’s Degrees in Bible from that school and went on to Dallas Seminary.

In my mind’s eye, I can still see him aboard the Independence in his Navy dungarees, working in the ship’s carpentry shop just off the hanger bay port side. He chose to remain in the active Navy Reserve, and that young, red-headed, low-ranking sailor (Yes, he had hair in those days), rose to the rank of Lt. Commander as a Chaplain, United States Navy Reserve. Had I remained a sailor I would have had to salute him and address him as “Sir.”

Glen was a unique person; highly intelligent, with a wonderful sense of humor. He was my closest friend and I miss him.

In God’s economy regarding His children, we may be momentarily confused at times, but with a lump in our throats we recognize God does all things well. We can say with David, This is the LORD’s doing…” (Psalm 118.23)

He served his country honorably and his Savior faithfully. When he stands in his resurrection body before the Lord Jesus Christ at Christ’s Evaluation Throne, He will hear these Words:

Well done, good and faithful servant;
thou hast been faithful over a few
Things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(Matthew 25.23, KJV)

“Farewell, old friend until our eternal rendezvous.”


Allan Brown
Greenville, SC 29609