CDR Joseph Todd Earle USN (Ret.)

Joseph Todd Earle, Commander USN Retired, died peacefully on July 24 at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital following a moderate stroke. Todd was born on August 21, 1938, to Walter Boyd Earle and Elvira Marie Todd Earle in Brooklyn, New York, the second of three sons. He graduated from The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in 1956, and Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, in 1960. Following graduation from Colgate University, Todd attended Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon graduation he was commissioned as an Ensign. Todd ‘s Navy career started in the Amphibious Fleet in San Diego, California. In 1963 he attended Surface Warfare Officer’s School in Newport, Rhode Island, and was designated as a Surface Warfare Officer. During his Navy career he served aboard seven ships and three staffs, including one year in country in Vietnam. Following his tour in Vietnam, he moved his young family to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for four years and then on to Yokosuka, Japan for two years. After being stationed outside the continental United States for seven years, Todd moved his family back to Northern Virginia so his three sons could learn about their country. His final tour was in the Pentagon in the newly established Congressional Correspondents section, answering inquiries from families of Naval personnel. He retired on January 1, 1985. Todd’s awards include the Bronze Star w/Combat “V”, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/Combat “V”, Navy Achievement Medal w/Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Service Medal w/7 stars, Vietnam Honor Medal First Class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, and other service awards. Following his Naval career, Todd went to work for Navy contractors, QED and ROH. He went on to work as a tax preparer for H & R Block and finally fully retired in 2012. Following his retirement, he volunteered with the AARP as a tax preparer for several years. He was also a volunteer at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir assisting service members and their families. Todd grew up swimming in Long Island Sound. He swam competitively at The Hill School and was part of the first group of swimmers to be able to swim the new Butterfly stroke successfully. He was a high school All-American swimmer in butterfly. His knowledge of and love for swimming carried into his volunteering. He was a starter and stroke and turn judge at Virginia Hills Pool and became the Virginia Hills team representative in the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL). Todd went on to become a Division Coordinator in the NVSL, visiting two swimming meets each Saturday during the summer swim season. He ended his volunteer time as a Director of the NVSL for many years and he also served on the Rules Committee. During his time in the Pentagon, Todd became an avid runner. In 1980 Todd ran the Marine Corp Marathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon. He ran the Boston Marathon in 1981. Todd met his beloved wife of 61 years while stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1963. They were married in 1965 and had three sons. He is survived by his wife, Katharine (Katie) Maybach Earle, his three sons, Stephen Allen (Kimberly), Andrew Boyd (Deidra), and Daniel Todd (Beth), and five grandchildren, Zachary Harrison, Alexandria Katharine, Samuel John, Logan Todd, and Caleb Lizut. He is also survived by his older brother, Walter Anthony Earle, his sister-in-law, Kristen Stertzbach Earle, and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter Boyd and Elvira Todd Earle, and his younger brother, Stephen Boyd Earle, and his sister-in-law, Constance Roye Earle. A celebration of life will take place at Westminster at Lake Ridge on Monday, October 26, 2026 from 2PM-5PM. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Todd’s memory to the NVSL,1909 Bridle Lane, Alexandria, VA 22308-2209 or the United Service Organization (USO), P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677

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CDR Joseph Todd Earle USN (Ret.)

August 21, 1938 - July 24, 2026