Vytautas Kazimieras Urbas, founder of Lithuanian Navy, dies at 83

Vytautas Kazimieras Urbas, a pivotal figure in the re-establishment of the Lithuanian Navy and its first chief of staff, has passed away at the age of 83. His passing was announced by the Lithuanian Navy on social media.

Born in 1944 in the village of Daglienai, Urbas experienced a difficult childhood, being deported with his family to Siberia in 1949, where they lived for nine years. He later graduated from the Petrodvorets Higher Naval Electronics School in 1970 and served seven years in the Soviet Northern Fleet. After his military service, he worked in a research institute in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), where he was involved in designing warships.

In 1989, Urbas became deputy chairman of the Lithuanian Society in Leningrad but soon returned to Lithuania. Following the restoration of Lithuania's independence, he joined the Lithuanian Armed Forces on June 6, 1991, and dedicated himself to building the Lithuanian Navy until his retirement on April 26, 1999. His significant contributions to the Republic of Lithuania and its defense system were recognized with prestigious awards, including the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Cross of Vytis, the Medal of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (3rd Class), and the Ministry of National Defense's badge of honor "For Merits to National Defense."

Details regarding the farewell ceremony have been announced. Viewings will be held at "Amžiaus vartai" funeral home in Klaipėda on August 28th (Friday) from 5 PM to 9 PM and August 29th (Saturday) from 10 AM to 1 PM. The urn containing Urbas's remains will be removed on Saturday at 1 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Klaipėda Christ the King Parish Church on Saturday at 1:30 PM, followed by burial at Joniškės Cemetery around 2:30 PM. The family has requested that attendees refrain from large floral arrangements and instead honor Urbas with a single white flower.