LCDR RICHARD BENJAMIN COVINGTON passed away at his home in Gainesville, VA on September 8, 2004 after a long battle with lymphoma. He was a retired Naval officer with the United States submarine service. Mr. Covington was born in Richmond, VA. He attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis from 1968 until 1972 and pursued a career in nuclear submarines, having been selected for duty by Rear Admiral G. Hyman Rickover, the father of the United States nuclear submarine. Based in Charleston, SC from 1974-1977, he served back to back tours of duty on the USS Henry L. Stimson and the USS James Madison before returning to the Washington area to serve two years with Naval Intelligence in Suitland, MD. Upon returning to Charleston in 1980, he served as the Chief Navigational Officer of the USS Woodrow Wilson until 1982 and as the Executive Officer of the USS Lewis and Clark from 1983 - 1985. After his selection for Armed Forces Staff College, Commander Covington served as Export Control Officer in the Department of the Navy International Programs Office as an expert in submarine technology. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1992, he continued his work with Navy IPO in a civilian capacity. Commander Covington was ranked as an expert marksman with the United States Navy shooting team and received the Meritorious Civil Service Award for his work with submarine technology. He is survived by his wife, Laurie Ann Talley Covington and his son, Richard Talley Covington, both of Gainesville; his parents, Ben and Virginia Covington of Richmond; his sister Lee Ann Covington of Alexandria and two brothers, Steven F. Covington of Yorktown and Glenn S. Covington of Appomatox. Funeral services will take place on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 3 p.m. at Warrenton Baptist Church, 123 Main St., Warrenton, VA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Life With Cancer, 2834 Juniper St., Fairfax, VA 22031 in his name. Funeral arrangements by LEE FUNERAL HOME OF MANASSAS.