A Message from Dr. Larry Mayer - Director, University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal & Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center - June 14, 2022 |
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It has been just a little over a year since I heard the shocking news that our student, our friend, our colleague, our mentor and our leader, Rick Brennan had passed away. I first met Rick when he came to UNH as one of our first NOAA Corps students. I had just moved to UNH after many years at Canadian universities and meeting Rick, his dear friend Shep, and our Center NOAA co-director, Andy Armstrong provided my first close interactions with the NOAA Corps, quickly teaching me what a special organization this is. I was overwhelmed by their dedication to their profession, their intelligence and intensity, their high level of skills, and their professionalism – all of that combined with a joie de vivre that made them a delight to be with and turned what started as student-teacher relationships into one of colleagues and close friends. Rick made this transition even easier as, unlike most students, Rick was never shy to point out when he disagreed with you and - frankly - he was often right. It is one of the greatest pleasures and privileges of an academic to watch one of your mentees evolve into a mentor and leader in the field, and this was indeed the case with Rick. I felt great pride in watching his career advance and in continuing to work (and sometimes – though not often - disagree) with Rick as he rose to leadership in the Office of Coast Survey. But even when we disagreed, I knew that Rick was driven only by his dedication to what he thought was best for the profession that he loved so much. And with respect to that profession, there was no area that Rick was more passionate about than education of the next generation of hydrographers and ocean mappers.
Those of us whom Rick inspired continue to live by his example, maintain his values, and make his vision a reality through our hands. For months after Rick passed, I would reach for my phone to call Rick whenever I had something interesting to share, or a difficult choice to make. Nearly a year later, I still think of him daily and gain strength and clarity from my memory of him. There are things I do in my personal and professional life that I know would put a gleam in Rick’s eye. I hear similar sentiments from many of you. There are things we can do individually to celebrate Rick’s legacy, but there are also things that can best be done collectively.
Rick left us far too soon, leaving a void in the lives of all who knew him. But his passing will also impact countless others who did not know him but who would have benefited from his vision of training the next generation of young people in the hydrographic community. And so I ask you to join with me and support, in any way you can, the RTB Fair Winds Memorial Foundation in its efforts to provide scholarships, education and hands-on training for those in need in our community. While providing these wonderful services, the RTB Fair Winds Memorial Foundation, will keep Rick’s memory alive and represent a lasting legacy for all that he has contributed to our lives and our vocation.
Respectfully -- Larry
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Sleeves Up! RTB Fairwinds |
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There is still time to roll up your sleeves with our Red Cross sponsored SleevesUp! campaign. The entire country is in dire need of blood donations. If you can, please join us in this critical moment to help those in need. Our campaign runs through June 15. Pledge your donation here, make an appointment and roll up your sleeves! It’s simple – visit our campaign page, pledge a pint of blood and make an appointment with the American Red Cross at one of their donation sites or one of your choosing between now and June 15th.
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OneBlood Drive and Remembrance on June 18 |
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Join the Brennan family this month to remember Rick and help save a life at a OneBlood blood drive in Orlando on Saturday, June 18th. The more we give the more lives we save.
Saturday, June 18, 2022
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Donation Raffle Ends on June 15! |
Anyone who donates to RTB Fair Winds before June 15th will be entered into a random drawing for our Summer Giveaway, a Sea Bags of Maine Wharf Tote (made from recycled sails) filled with two Tommy Bahama beach towels, a HydroFlask insulated water bottle, Vineyard Vines cap, Wawoba beach paddle set, and a nautical chart wristlet by Sea Bags of Maine, valued at over $300. Previous donors are automatically entered.
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RAINIER Completes Second Leg of "RICHARD" Project |
Have you heard about the RICHARD (Rainier Integrates Charting Hydrography and Reef Demographics) project? This project is dedicated to Rick and his vision of a one-NOAA. It is a collaborative project with NOAA's National Ocean Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. |
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The second operational leg of the RICHARD is complete! During May, RAINIER conducted seafloor mapping surveys and coral reef surveys around the islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Anatahan, Pagan, Maug, and Asuncion. The ship logged over 500 scientific dives and mapped almost 5,000 linear nautical miles.
Learn about it here and follow the NOAA Ship Rainier and the progress of the RICHARD project on Facebook.
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The Richard T. Brennan Fair Winds Memorial Foundation, Ltd.
1321 Blackwalnut Ct
Annapolis, MD 21403
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