News From Fort Schuyler

April 7, 2008 - Volume 8, No. 13

EBB TIDE - EDWARD F. PFLEGING, Emeritus Professor of Marine Engineering and former Chief Engineer of the TS EMPIRE STATE IV and TS EMPIRE STATE V died on 1 April. "Ed was a gentleman and an engineer of the greatest competence and presence of mind, and a wonderful colleague. Those of us who sailed with him and worked with him shall miss him," wrote Engineering Department Chairman RICHARD BURKE, Class of 1972, in the announcement of his death. Ed was survived by his wife, Joan, five children and 14 grandchildren. His son, EDWARD F. PFLEGING III, is a graduate of the Class of 1986. CHARLIE MUNSCH, Class of 1973, added: "To me he was THE CHIEF. A great guy to have as a teacher, a shipmate, a co-worker and a friend." Our thoughts are with the family of our late colleague and mentor.

A MEMORIAL/ A CELEBRATION - A very impressive DVD, which deserves wider distribution, was produced by the Class of October 1946 in connection with their dedication of a plaque at the U.S. Navy Memorial commemorating alumni who served in the merchant marine and armed services. A great deal of research and thought went into this moving dedication ceremony. It is amply demonstrated in this professionally produced video. The names of graduates lost at sea during World War II are read, along with names of alumni who perished in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and who assisted with the recovery efforts. In addition, the video provides a succinct history of the Maritime College from its founding in 1874, a demographic profile of the Class of October 1946, a very well put appreciation for the importance of regimental training in the lives of these alumni, followed by highlights of their contributions to the college over the years. The video could be very well viewed not only by Alumni Association chapters throughout the country, but could be very useful in introducing 4th Class cadets to the history and importance of the college during indoctrination training. PHIL DILLOWAY, Class of October 1946, will burn copies for $15, at a minimum, to cover materials and postage. Any surplus goes to the Class of 1946's Scholarship Fund. If you are interested, contact Phil at dilloway@optonline.net

THAT'S THE SPIRIT - On Thursday, April 10th, the Seamen's Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey (www.sciphiladelphia.org) is honoring UWE SCHULZ, Class of 1965, with its 20th Spirit of the Port Award. Uwe is President of the Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association, an organization of steamship agents, ship owners and other port employers. [Thanks to PHIL KANTZ, '65, for this heads up.]

TIMELY PUBLICATION - It looks as if Frank Duffy's new book, Always on Station, The Story of the Sandy Hook Ship Pilots, will be ready for the April museum gala. Francis J. Duffy, the Executive VP of the Maritime Industry Museum, is willing and able to sign your copies on 26 April. This is the first book written about the Sandy Hook Pilots since 1929. Many things of interest have happened since then. Frank, a professional ship photographer and maritime journalist, is co-author of The New York Harbor Book (1986) and writes maritime-related articles for such UK maritime journals as Fairplay, Marine News and Ships Monthly.

NO WRINKLES THIS TIME - According to the college website, during a recent visit to the campus, a local dermatologist provided cadets with skin care tips for their forthcoming Summer Sea Term experience. Dr. Helen Flamenbaum spoke to students "...about the cumulative effects of sun exposure..." Noting that "..75% of sun exposure happens before the age of 20," she provided a list of tips on protecting against the effects of UV rays. Good advice for our sea-going cadets.

COMING UP - Saturday, May 3 - Senior Awards Ceremony and Sunday, May 4 - Graduation. Time flies.

BROWSING THE WEB, ETC - GHULAM SUHRAWARDI, Class of 1976, President/CEO, National Marine Consultants (www.natmar.com) - CAPT. CHIP KINSEY, Class of 1973, ship surveyor, Coastal Marine Surveys (www.coastalmarinesurveys.com) - CMDR. CATHERINE HANFT, Class of 1987, Commander, Third Battalion, US Naval Academy (www.usna.edu) - DOUGLAS NEMETH, Class of 1979, Faculty, SUNY Maritime College, and Relief Captain, Schooner ERNESTINA (www.ernestina.org) - ADM. FRANK GALLO, Class of 1957, National Executive Director, Armed Services YMCA (www.asymca.org) - Dr. GEORGE A. MAUL, Class of 1960, Chairman, Marine and Environmental Systems program, Florida Institute of Technology (www.fit.edu) - TIM AKPINAR, Class of 1981, teaches admiralty law at SUNY Maritime, practices maritime law on Long Island. CAPT. ANGELO DiBELLO, Class of 1995, operates About Time Fishing Charters in the Florida Keys www.abouttimefishingcharter.com - JAMES BRENNAN, Class of 1967, member of the La Guardia Community College Foundation (www.lagcc.cuny.edu) - ANDREW MAYNARD, Class of 1985, Professor, Computer Information Technologies, Springfield Technical Community College (www.stcc.edu) - CMDR KURUSH F. MORRIS, Class of 1988, Commanding Officer, USS TAYLOR/FFG50 (www.taylor.navy.mil)

LISTEN UP - You can hear a rendition of the college alma mater, The Bells of St. Mary's, at the Stephen B. Luce Library eArchive - www.sunymaritime.edu Congratulations to the library for making this clip available. (Thanks to PHIL DILLOWAY who provided the Luce Library with this digitally enhanced CD version of the library's original cassette tape of this undated performance by the Regimental Band.)

BACK ISSUES ? If you missed an issue of NFFS go to either the Alumni Association website for a full archive of issues (www.fsmaa.org/nffs) or to the Parents Association (www.sunymaritime.org) for recent issues. Bravo Zulu to both organizations for making NFFS available on the web.

AH SHUCKS - "Thanks again for your efforts. Great to see positive news being spread around about Maritime and her graduates" - "I really enjoy NFFS. You really have better contacts than the CIA, FBI, MI5 and the KGB combined." - "You really come up with the most interesting stories about graduates."

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Richard Corson - Forest Hills, NY

Latitude 40.716N Longitude 73.85W

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