Douglas N. Syverson, 84, a Navy captain who retired in 1967 and worked at the Transportation Department from the late 1960s until 1981, died April 12, 2000 of
a heart ailment at his home in McLean, Virginia.

At DOT, he retired as program coordinator in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's driver and pedestrian programs office.

He was born in Marquette, Michigan, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1939. He graduated from Submarine School and received a master's degree in personnel management from George Washington University.

He was in the South Pacific during World War II, and his assignments included serving aboard the submarines Sea Wolf and Sea Fox.

After the war, he commanded submarines and a submarine squadron. His last assignment was in the office of the chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.

His honors included two Silver Stars and two Navy Commendation Medals.

His memberships included the Naval Academy Alumni Association, Retired Officers Association, River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls and Candlelight Waltzers, a Washington area dance club.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Hope F. Syverson of McLean; a son, Peter, of McLean; a daughter, Candace Cummings of Greensboro, N.C.; and four grandchildren.

Of McLean, Virginia, on April 12, 2000, at his residence, beloved husband of Hope Syverson; father of Candace (Roser) Cummings and Peter (Delores) Syverson; grandfather of Peter and Thomas Syverson, and Carolyn and Julia Cummings. Memorial services will be held at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel on Wednesday, May 3, at 1 p.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, P.O. Box 79789, Baltimore, MD 21279-0789.