Crossed the Final Bar

CLASS OF 1944

William Leland Sales, Sr. 1924-2022

William Leland Sales, Sr., 98, of Kennewick, Wash. passed away on July 22 at Fleurde-Lis Adult Family Home in Kennewick. A retired nuclear engineer, he was born in Riverside, Calif. and lived in the Tri-Cities for many years.

CLASS OF 1945

Marvin R. Tripp 1926-2022

Marvin Russell Tripp, 96, passed away on Aug. 30. A lifelong Californian, he attended Oakland Technical High

MARVIN R. TRIPP School and received a Third Assistant Engineer license from Cal Maritime and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of the Pacific. A military veteran, he served in the Merchant Marine at the close of World War II. Classmates may recall Marv’s swab assignment of singing “The Lord’s Prayer” through the barrack transom at lights out. Marv sailed briefly and then pursued a music education at the College of the Pacific. After graduating, Marv sang on television in Hollywood, at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., and on television in San Francisco, Calif. With marriage and children, he elected to make music an avocation and became an educator as a teacher and principal. As a weekend musician, Marv led his dance band in various hotels and country clubs throughout the Bay Area. In later years he took his talent to the Bohemian Club in San Francisco. Marv is preceded in death by his parents John and Mae Tripp, his sister Joan Hough, his wife Jeanette, and his great-grandson Joshua. He is survived by his sister Beverly Montgomery, his children Cynthia Tripp, Tom Tripp, and Steven Tripp, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

CLASS OF 1953

Joseph Venturini 1930-2022

Joseph Venturini, 92, passed away on Sept. 12. Born in Modesto, Calif., Joe attended both high school and junior college in his

JOSEPH VENTURINI hometown. Wanting to see a wider world, Joe attended the Academy, where he studied as a deck midshipman and served as a company commander.

As a naval officer, Joe served in the amphibious force aboard the USS Pickaway as an underway watch officer and as a salvage officer during amphibious landings. Upon discharge, Joe returned to Modesto and began farming. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, eventually becoming a district group commander. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Diane. He is survived by his sons Joe L. and Mark Venturini.

CLASS OF 1954

John W. Creech, Jr. 1929-2022

John W. Creech, Jr., 93, passed away on July 12. He was a graduate of Berkeley High School and the University of California Berkeley as well as the Academy. After graduating from the Academy, he joined the Merchant Marine, then served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Los Angeles during the Korean War. John’s business career took him from delivering RC Cola in Southern California to selling glass containers at Glass Container Corp, to LSI as its first employee, then president of its specialty productions division. John later founded Sigma Marketing Consulting. His volunteer work included Mercy Ships, Orinda Community Church, and serving as board chairman of the California Maritime Academy Foundation (CMAF).

JOHN W. CREECH, JR. CLASS OF 1957

Robert Alan Wilson

1936-2022

Robert Alan Wilson, 85, passed away peacefully on June 11 with his family surrounding him. Also known as “Captain Bob,” he was born in Akron, Ohio and moved to California with his family at age 7. A member of the Sea Scouts, Bob graduated from Morningside High School in Inglewood, Calif., and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nautical Science from the Academy. He then earned his Master Captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard and became one of the youngest and most well-respected Merchant Marine captains of his time. He served as captain of research vessels, including the Glomar Challenger and the Alcoa Seaprobe, as well as container ships covering oceans and seas worldwide. After retirement, Bob lived aboard his 40-foot DeFever boat named MALIA off the waters of Mexico and Puerto Vallarta.

Bob is survived by his two sisters, his ex-wife Joan, daughter Julie, son Jeff, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

CLASS OF 1959

Richard Meleski

1938-2022

Richard Meleski, 83, passed away on July 9 at his home in Vallejo, Calif. Born and raised in Vallejo, Richard graduated from Vallejo High

RICHARD MELESKI School. The night he received his degree from Cal Maritime, he was on a ship to Japan. Richard was employed by Matson Navigation for 40 years. While working there, he joined their whaleboat crew, which won first place for 15 years. Meleski is survived by his wife Caron and three children.

CLASS OF 1962

Larry Lee Foerder 1941-2022

Larry Lee Foerder, 80, passed away on Aug. 21, after a three-year battle with cancer.

Born in Auburn, Ind.,

LARRY LEE FOERDER Larry and his family moved to Vallejo, Calif. when he was less than a year old. After graduating from Vallejo High School, Larry graduated from the Academy and secured a job as an engineer for Phillips 66, working both in Washington and California. His career included work for Airco and NorCal Dry Ice, both in Richmond, Calif. Larry is survived by his wife of 31 years Barbara; his children Jennifer, Mike and Mark; his stepchildren Mark, DeeAnne and Renay; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

CLASS OF 1965

Raymond Guy Jubitz III 1943-2022

Raymond Guy Jubitz III, 78, passed away peacefully at home on May 17, surrounded by close family members RAYMOND G. JUBITZ III and friends. Born in Seattle, Wash., Ray attended Ainsworth Grade School. Moving to San Francisco, Calif., he attended Lowell High School, the University of Oregon, and Cal Maritime. Ray worked as a ship engineer for a year, then moved to Ann Arbor, Mich. to pursue an MBA at the University of Michigan. He served as an engineer on naval Victory ships transporting supplies to American troops in Vietnam, launched his management career with shipping companies in Seattle, Wash. and San Francisco, Calif., and in Portland, Ore. where he was managing director of Columbia Marine Lines. Ray and his wife, Nansie, were involved with the Creative Initiative and Beyond War Foundations, and were volunteers with International Executive Service Corps. Ray is survived by his wife Nansie, sister Kathy, cousins, eight nieces and nephews, and five godchildren.

CLASS OF 1972

Theodore “Ted” Cook

Upon graduation in July of 1972, Theodore “Ted” Cook started his 40-plus year career with the Military Sealift Command (MSC), working his way up from third assistant engineer to chief engineer. Initially home ported in Subic Bay in the Philippines, Ted fell in love with the Philippines and met the love of his life, Ida. Ted and Ida married and built a beautiful house on the island of Luzon, where they raised their five children. Ted sailed the world for MSC and ended his career as a Port Engineer in Guam. Ted passed away in 2017 and is survived by his wife Ida; sons Thomas, Theo, and Kenneth; daughters Karen and Michelle; and nine grandchildren.

David W. Linn

Dave Linn was a native of Seal Beach, Calif. where he excelled in swimming and water polo in high school. An excellent sailor, he was an avid member and captain of the Sailing Club his senior year. Upon graduation in July of 1972, Dave continued his education and received an MBA from Pepperdine University in Southern California. He spent much of his career as a regional manager for Sulzer Pumps in Houston, Texas. Dave passed away in 2019 at his home in Lookout Mountain, Tenn. He is survived by his wife Carol, son Eric, and daughter Amy.

To submit information about Alumni and Friends of Cal Maritime who have Crossed the Final Bar, please visit WWW.CSUM.EDU/ALUMNI CLASS OF 1975

Dennis C. Payne Dennis C. Payne died in his sleep on Sept. 12, after a 10-year battle with mesothelioma. Dennis worked

DENNIS C. PAYNE as a Perkins mechanic before attending the Academy. He was very proud to be a graduate of Cal Maritime, and proud of his lifelong Cal Maritime friendships. Dennis is survived by his son Sam, daughter Emily, and his wife Sue.

CLASS OF 2003

Johannes Phipps 1980-2022

Johannes Phipps, 42, passed away on July 3, after a long and debilitating illness. A quick-witted

JOHANNES PHIPPS and gregarious man, Johannes was born in Martinez, Calif. and grew up both in Germany and California. After graduating from the Academy, he shipped out as a third mate, and later a second mate with the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P). Johannes loved to travel, watch scary movies, and eat delicious Austrian food prepared by his mother. He is survived by his daughter Eliana, his parents, brother, nephew, wife, grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Crossed the Final Bar

William Leland Sales, Sr. ’44 Marvin R. Tripp ’45 Joseph Venturini ’53 John W. Creech, Jr. ’54 Robert Alan Wilson ’57 Richard Meleski ’59 Larry Lee Foerder ’62 Raymond Guy Jubitz III ’65 Robert M. Butler, Jr. ’72 Theodore “Ted” Cook ’72 David W. Linn ’72 Dennis C. Payne ’75 Johannes Phipps ’03

Giving

Leading the Way Campaign

Delivering on Cal Maritime’s Promise to Maintain and Grow Our Reputation for Excellence

Four years ago, the California Maritime Academy Foundation set an ambitious goal to raise $40,000,000. We are proud to announce that, thanks to many alumni donors and the Foundation’s successful Yacht Donation Program, the campaign has raised $33,934,026 — 85% OF OUR GOAL! With only $6,065,974 remaining, we ask for your help. With your support, we can ensure our curriculum, training, and technology provide the education and workforce experience cadets need for successful careers.

Gifts to an Area of Greatest Need support Cal Maritime priorities.

Cadet Success. The First Year Experience (FYE) program supports new cadets as they adjust to life at Cal Maritime and scholarships help cadets stay in school. The Academic Support Tutoring Center provides tutoring for any reason. As the maritime industry is increasingly global, we support study abroad experiences through our participation in the California State University (CSU) International Program and partnerships with other maritime universities. Research Support. Undergraduate research has high educational impact, gives cadets more experience and heightens their value to employers. Training and Program Support. Cadets need opportunities for specialized training, and the required technology needs constant updates to stay relevant. Deck and engine functions need investment, as well. Training on autonomous vessels, augmented and virtual reality, and preparation for the new training ship NSMV, due to arrive in 2025, all support our cadets and their futures.

The Foundation is releasing $3.5 million from the Yacht Donation Program to match all donations during the Campaign to existing and new endowments.

Endowments provide an ongoing source of revenue for the Academy and can support any campus project or program. With $3.5 million in matching funds available from the Foundation’s Yacht Donation Program, there is flexibility to have an impact on almost any aspect of Cal Maritime life, from scholarships to athletics, endowed faculty positions, research opportunities, and more. The minimum gift to establish a new endowment that will be matched is $25,000, but gifts to an already-established endowment will be matched at any level. Donors can take up to 5 years to meet the $25,000 threshold.

Endowed academic positions help attract and retain distinguished faculty.

As we look forward to our centennial, attracting and retaining outstanding educators is essential to enhancing our tradition of academic excellence. Endowed academic positions are a great opportunity for friends of Cal Maritime to leave a legacy that honors their association with Cal Maritime and helps secure the future of the Academy. Yearly endowment earnings enhance support for faculty scholarly work, such as teaching and research. There are several ways to establish an endowed academic position: a current gift, a pledge, or a blended gift. An endowed academic position could also be established solely through a planned giving vehicle or will/trust. A minimum of $100,000 is required to establish an endowed academic position.

For information on endowed scholarships or professorships, scan the QR code or contact Janice Bross , Senior Director of Development and Campaign Manager at (707) 654-1789 or jbross@csum.edu.

Proud Sponsor of CSU Maritime Academy

California Maritime Academy Foundation, Inc. 200 Maritime Academy Drive Vallejo, CA 94590-8181

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