Roll Call Tribute
Raymond McAllister Jr. '58 September 21, 2012 9:21 AM
Published in (Fort Lauderdale FL) Sun-Sentinel on September 21, 2012
Dr. Raymond F. (Dr. Mac) McAllister, age 89, of Lighthouse Point, FL 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. A Mass will be said in his memory at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 22 at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lighthouse Point, with a reception to follow at 11 a.m. at the Pompano Beach Elks Lodge No. 1898, 700 NE 10th St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060. In lieu of flowers, Ray would appreciate contributions to Catholic Charities USA or Catholic Relief Services. Arrangements entrusted to Kraeer Funeral Home, 1199 E. Sample Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.
Dr. Raymond F. (Dr. Mac) McAllister, age 89, of Lighthouse Point, FL 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. A Mass will be said in his memory at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 22 at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lighthouse Point, with a reception to follow at 11 a.m. at the Pompano Beach Elks Lodge No. 1898, 700 NE 10th St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060. In lieu of flowers, Ray would appreciate contributions to Catholic Charities USA or Catholic Relief Services. Arrangements entrusted to Kraeer Funeral Home, 1199 E. Sample Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.
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