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Old 09-20-2012, 10:41 PM
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ricki ricki is offline
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Default Dr. Ray McAllister Passes On



I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. Mac. I have known and worked with him starting in excess of 35 years ago. The man is an Institution, often colorful, with strong opinions but a unique individual and respected by many. I met him during UW archaeology (Marine Advisory Board to the Historical Commission) and artificial reef (BARINC sinking of a barge and hull molds) projects in Ft. Lauderdale in the 1970's, studied under him in the Ocean Engineering program at FAU, interacted during the search for Columbus' Santa Maria off Haiti, coral reef projects, dive shows, and on and on. I recently met him giving historical background on the Hillsboro Lighthouse. His grandfather, Ramon Pinder, was the light's assistant keeper from 1909 to 1910. Dr. Mac is gone but will not be soon forgotten.


Dr. Mac putting together the first human powered underwater sub races.


Here Dr. Mac narrates a video dealing with the second annual UW sub race with typical humor.


His Obituary and photos from his life:

"MCALLISTER, DR. RAYMOND F. (Dr. Mac), Age 89, of Lighthouse Point, Florida passed away quietly in his home on Monday, September 17, 2012. He was born in 1923 to Raymond and Jessie McAllister, with honorary father King Neptune. He is survived by his two sons, Keith and Kevin McAllister; his daughter, Karen Day; granddaughters, Lisa and Maureen McAllister, Cristin Day, and Kerry McAllister; grandsons, Matthew McAllister, Patrick Day, and Evan McAllister; great grandson Nicholas, and great granddaughter Isabella. He will be greatly missed.

Ray served his country with honor and courage in the United States Army during WWII early invasion of North Africa, the Italian campaign including the Anzio landings, and in Southern France. He received his doctorate in Marine Geology from Texas A&M in College Station, TX. Ray maintained a lifelong fascination with and love of the world's oceans. He learned to scuba dive in 1952. That began his career teaching about the oceans, studying and exploring them worldwide from Bermuda to Guam. One of his more unusual exploits was his attempt to ride a humpback whale one evening at sea, when he got his foot caught in the blowhole. The whale rolled away from the side of the ship and sounded (as whales are wont to do with a foot inserted). Clearly he extricated himself and lived to tell the story again and again and again. Ray helped start the world's first Ocean Engineering program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and taught oceanography there for 28 years, before retiring as a Professor Emeritus in 1993. He was a founder and mentor of the FAU Human Powered Submarine race team. During the years he lived in southeast Florida, Dr. Mac tirelessly advocated for the protection and preservation of Florida's coral reefs.

He served as an honorary member of the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, was an active member of the Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club, participated as an honorary member of the Old Time Music Jammers, and had served as a member of the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society. For more information about Dr. Ray McAllister, see his website at http://dinodiver.com/index.html."
Continued at: http://tinyurl.com/9t8f2nf



From the writeup on Dr. Mac in the International Legends of Diving
http://www.internationallegendsofdiv...lister_bio.htm


"Raymond McAllister, FAU ocean engineering pioneer, dies

By Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel
7:38 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2012

Raymond F. McAllister, a pioneering educator who co-founded Florida Atlantic University's respected ocean engineering department, died Monday at his home in Lighthouse Point of natural causes. He was 89.

Dr. McAllister was working for the U.S. Navy developing a sonar system for long range detection of submarines when he joined FAU's faculty in 1964. He and U.S. Navy Capt. Charles R. Stephan started the ocean engineering program in 1965.
"
Continued at: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/edu...0,708275.story


You can read some of his articles on Dr. Mac's website at:
http://www.dinodiver.com/html/ray_s_corner.htm


and his C.V. at:
http://www.dinodiver.com/html/cirriculum_vitae.html



Posing with Big John McLaughlin and CDR Doug Fane
http://www.bobwirt.com/BigJohn.html



Dr. Mac narrating Hillsboro Lighthouse tours a few times per year. These shots are from 2009.


You can see something about his service during WWII at:
http://www.45thdivision.org/Veterans/McAllister.htm


An article written by Dr. Mac on the 50th Anniversary of Ocean Engineering at FAU
http://www.fau.edu/fiftieth/oe_history.php


An article about Dr. Mac and the Santa Maria Foundation's search for Columbus' ship lost centuries back in the Caribbean.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...6256%2C2007870


This could go on for quite a while longer. Check back as more will likely be added.

So long Dr. Mac, thanks for all the great memories!

...

Services are to be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at:
Services will be held at St Paul The Apostle Parish, 2700 N. E. 36th St. Lighthouse Point, FL (954) 943-1954 at 9:30 AM with reception to follow at 11:00 AM at Elks Club 700 NE 10 st Lighthouse Point, FL 33060.


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transcribed by:
Rick Iossi

Last edited by ricki; 09-26-2012 at 02:13 PM.
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