13 replies to this topic

[annasea]

Dr Bill Bushing died the morning of December 21.

 

I first met Bill here on this forum, which then led to meeting him in person on his beloved island. Although it was well over a decade ago, I remember that weekend with great fondness. No diving, but we laughed and laughed and laughed... then laughed some more. The one time he became serious was while we watched one of the many underwater videos he shot. His knowledge base and the reverence he had for the ocean was truly amazing.

 

I don't know how many people from those days still post here, but in case anyone drops by who is not on SB or FB, they may appreciate knowing that a true SCUBA legend has passed.

 

RIP, William.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Here is drbill's profile on SingleDivers.com. He joined 1 month after we were founded. He was a true resource, asset, inspiration and friend.  He helped everyone he could in anyway he could. What a profound loss to lose him. - SD.com staff

 

drbill Member Since 28 Mar 2004

•    Add me as a friend
•    Send me a message
•    Find content

Community Stats

• Group SD Partners
• Active Posts 4,486
• Profile Views 112
• Member Title I spend too much time on line
• Age 74 years old
• Birthday June 12, 1947
• Location
  10-200 feet under, Santa Catalina Island
• Interests
  Marine ecologist with research focus on giant kelp persistence, marine reserve designation criteria, marine biogeography and invertebrate dispersal.<br /><br />Marine educator and underwater videographer. Write weekly newspaper column (&quot;Dive Dry with Dr. Bill&quot;) on marine issues and producing an educational video series on kelp forest ecology.<br /><br />Strong interest in dive travel, especially during the cold southern California winter. Looking to dive Africa and South America in the near future, as well as return to Asia to dive Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.<br /><br />Sucked my first air from a SCUBA tank in the winter of 1961-62 (diapers made diving difficult). Most of my diving in the 60's was hookah in freshwater. Have been diving soCal waters off and on since 1969. Refocused personal life around diving and my marine interests in 2000 and have done about 1,500 dives since then (most with video camera).<br /><br />Grew up in Chicago area, but still a kid at heart. BA from Harvard College, MA and PhD in marine ecology from UCSB. Real knowledge of marine life from years underwater.<br /><br />Self-employed (and therefore slightly impoverished). Also work for Lindblad Expeditions as marine biologist/lecturer, diver and underwater videographer on their eco-cruises. Have served in the Sea of Cortez, Belize and Honduras with hopes for assignments in the Galapagos, Atlantic Crossing, South America and eventually the Antarctic.<br /><br />Spend so much of my time diving and editing underwater video that any potential GF must be a diver too to survive! Ability to tolerate cold water a plus! Prefer diving with females due to general compatibilities in dive plans.<br /><br />Other interests are travel (backpacking/diving mostly), ocean kayaking, photography, movies, the philosophy of Edward F. &quot;Doc&quot; Ricketts (of Steinbeck's Cannery Row and Sea of Cortez fame), and the poetry of Robinson Jeffers. NOT a major fan of sports (enjoy an occasional game if diving conditions are poor), bars and clubs (although drinking itself is fine, especially with good friends and good conversation or wild sex!), or any activity involving water in a non-liquid state (skiing, snowboarding, shoveling snow) unless a quick escape is possible.
• Your First Name
  Bill Bushing
• Gender
  Male
• Age Range
  58-67
• Marital Status
  Single
• Smoker?
  No
• Street Address:
  P. O. Box 849, Avalon, CA 90704
• City
  Avalon, Santa Catalina Island
• State/Province
  California
• Country
  USA
  United States

 

My Diving Status

• Dive Buddies or Just Socializing?
  Dive Buddies and Socials (interested in both)
• Are you a Diving Professional?
  Other Professional Rank
• Highest Certification level
  Rescue
• Highest certification is with which agency? NAUI, PADI, YMCA...etc
  PADI but I prefer my L.A. County OW certification
• Number of TOTAL Dives
  who's counting, definitely four digits

Contact Information

• E-mail bushing@post.harvard.edu

1 Neutral

 

 

Edited by WreckWench, 29 December 2021 - 12:03 PM.

[Racer184]

Thanks for the notice.

[dive_sail_etc]

Dr Bill Bushing died the morning of December 21.

 

I first met Bill here on this forum, which then led to meeting him in person on his beloved island. Although it was well over a decade ago, I remember that weekend with great fondness. No diving, but we laughed and laughed and laughed... then laughed some more. The one time he became serious was while we watched one of the many underwater videos he shot. His knowledge base and the reverence he had for the ocean was truly amazing.

 

I don't know how many people from those days still post here, but in case anyone drops by who is not on SB or FB, they may appreciate knowing that a true SCUBA legend has passed.

 

RIP, William.

This is truly sad news; thank you for letting us know. I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Bill in person but followed his posts here and, later, on FB. Finally dropped off my radar a few years ago, this brings back many smiles from the humor he would weave into his posts...

 

Anna (Cate?) we noticed some info was lost in your Member Profile, probably from the big web page upgrade a few years ago. If you would be so kind, at your convenience please log in the Forums and when the page refreshes with your name replacing the Sign In button, click the small arrow next to your Member Name and select "My Settings". It opens to the General Information pane, so just scroll down and update where appropriate. Then click SAVE at the bottom of the page. We've missed seeing you around the Forums as well, please do not be so long joining in the Forums threads in the future.

Warm Regards,
Brad

[Cmdr. Clownfish]

I too remember Dr Bill.  We was one of the people that made the early forums special before the social media conquered the world.  Thanks for the notice.

[little mermaid]

Thank you for the notice, slthough I never met Dr. Bill, his posts in the forums were always thought provoking and humorous.  Sending thoughts and prayers to his family.

[Cajun Diver]

Sad news - I liked reading his posts.  His website appears to still be active: http://www.starthrower.org/ and shows dives up to July 2021.

 

Edit to add one of his posts on the site: https://www.singledi...ead-them-still/

[WreckWench]

Sad news - I liked reading his posts.  His website appears to still be active: http://www.starthrower.org/ and shows dives up to July 2021.

 

Edit to add one of his posts on the site: https://www.singledi...ead-them-still/

OMG...I know that no one lives forever...but Dr Bill was who I was betting on! Thank you Anna for letting us know. He was such an iconic man and 'larger than life' trail blazer in our industry!  Such sad news for this time of year. Was he ill or did he go suddenly?

 

On his website under "Other sites of interest" we are listed as his #3 fave group... of the entire list...only the first link, 3rd link (us) and the last link still work.

 

Dr Bill rest in peace my dear friend! Kamala

[annasea]

 

Sad news - I liked reading his posts.  His website appears to still be active: http://www.starthrower.org/ and shows dives up to July 2021.

 

Edit to add one of his posts on the site: https://www.singledi...ead-them-still/

OMG...I know that no one lives forever...but Dr Bill was who I was betting on! Thank you Anna for letting us know. He was such an iconic man and 'larger than life' trail blazer in our industry!  Such sad news for this time of year. Was he ill or did he go suddenly?

 

On his website under "Other sites of interest" we are listed as his #3 fave group... of the entire list...only the first link, 3rd link (us) and the last link still work.

 

Dr Bill rest in peace my dear friend! Kamala

 

Bill was diagnosed with cancer a few yrs ago. One turned into multiple, but he was able to resume diving once his condition had stabilized. He was diving as late as July of this year, IIRC. He wrote of experiencing paralyzing pain a short while ago and his last few months consisted of new meds and assorted hospital stays, but still a positive outlook. 

 

There's a petition circulating to have the dive park in Avalon renamed in his honour. I hope it's successful.

[WreckWench]

 

 

Sad news - I liked reading his posts.  His website appears to still be active: http://www.starthrower.org/ and shows dives up to July 2021.

 

Edit to add one of his posts on the site: https://www.singledi...ead-them-still/

OMG...I know that no one lives forever...but Dr Bill was who I was betting on! Thank you Anna for letting us know. He was such an iconic man and 'larger than life' trail blazer in our industry!  Such sad news for this time of year. Was he ill or did he go suddenly?

 

On his website under "Other sites of interest" we are listed as his #3 fave group... of the entire list...only the first link, 3rd link (us) and the last link still work.

 

Dr Bill rest in peace my dear friend! Kamala

 

Bill was diagnosed with cancer a few yrs ago. One turned into multiple, but he was able to resume diving once his condition had stabilized. He was diving as late as July of this year, IIRC. He wrote of experiencing paralyzing pain a short while ago and his last few months consisted of new meds and assorted hospital stays, but still a positive outlook. 

 

There's a petition circulating to have the dive park in Avalon renamed in his honour. I hope it's successful.

 

Thank you Annasea! I did not realize. His site is like a walk down memory lane! So many memories!

 

Do you know where the petition is? I for one would sign it and I know others would too!

[annasea]

 

 

 

Sad news - I liked reading his posts.  His website appears to still be active: http://www.starthrower.org/ and shows dives up to July 2021.

 

Edit to add one of his posts on the site: https://www.singledi...ead-them-still/

OMG...I know that no one lives forever...but Dr Bill was who I was betting on! Thank you Anna for letting us know. He was such an iconic man and 'larger than life' trail blazer in our industry!  Such sad news for this time of year. Was he ill or did he go suddenly?

 

On his website under "Other sites of interest" we are listed as his #3 fave group... of the entire list...only the first link, 3rd link (us) and the last link still work.

 

Dr Bill rest in peace my dear friend! Kamala

 

Bill was diagnosed with cancer a few yrs ago. One turned into multiple, but he was able to resume diving once his condition had stabilized. He was diving as late as July of this year, IIRC. He wrote of experiencing paralyzing pain a short while ago and his last few months consisted of new meds and assorted hospital stays, but still a positive outlook. 

 

There's a petition circulating to have the dive park in Avalon renamed in his honour. I hope it's successful.

 

Thank you Annasea! I did not realize. His site is like a walk down memory lane! So many memories!

 

Do you know where the petition is? I for one would sign it and I know others would too!

 

Petition can be found here:

 

https://www.change.o...e_bandit_var=v0

Edited by annasea, 23 December 2021 - 06:38 PM.

[WreckWench]

Annasea!

 

Its been too long... you've brought us so many great memories...hoping you stay and splash around a little!

[MNJoe]

R.I.P. Dr Bill

[WreckWench]

Petition can be found here:

 

https://www.change.o...e_bandit_var=v0

 

 

I've signed the petition! I am hoping everyone who knew him ...or wished they knew him...SIGNS THE PETITION to honor him and all his amazing accomplishments! 

[WreckWench]

I added the following to the first post. Annasea I hope you do not mind me appending this to the bottom of your post

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Here is drbill's profile on SingleDivers.com. He joined 1 month after we were founded. He was a true resource, asset, inspiration and friend.  He helped everyone he could in anyway he could. What a profound loss to lose him. - SD.com staff

 

drbill Member Since 28 Mar 2004

•    Add me as a friend
•    Send me a message
•    Find content

Community Stats

• Group SD Partners
• Active Posts 4,486
• Profile Views 112
• Member Title I spend too much time on line
• Age 74 years old
• Birthday June 12, 1947
• Location
  10-200 feet under, Santa Catalina Island
• Interests
  Marine ecologist with research focus on giant kelp persistence, marine reserve designation criteria, marine biogeography and invertebrate dispersal.<br /><br />Marine educator and underwater videographer. Write weekly newspaper column (&quot;Dive Dry with Dr. Bill&quot;) on marine issues and producing an educational video series on kelp forest ecology.<br /><br />Strong interest in dive travel, especially during the cold southern California winter. Looking to dive Africa and South America in the near future, as well as return to Asia to dive Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.<br /><br />Sucked my first air from a SCUBA tank in the winter of 1961-62 (diapers made diving difficult). Most of my diving in the 60's was hookah in freshwater. Have been diving soCal waters off and on since 1969. Refocused personal life around diving and my marine interests in 2000 and have done about 1,500 dives since then (most with video camera).<br /><br />Grew up in Chicago area, but still a kid at heart. BA from Harvard College, MA and PhD in marine ecology from UCSB. Real knowledge of marine life from years underwater.<br /><br />Self-employed (and therefore slightly impoverished). Also work for Lindblad Expeditions as marine biologist/lecturer, diver and underwater videographer on their eco-cruises. Have served in the Sea of Cortez, Belize and Honduras with hopes for assignments in the Galapagos, Atlantic Crossing, South America and eventually the Antarctic.<br /><br />Spend so much of my time diving and editing underwater video that any potential GF must be a diver too to survive! Ability to tolerate cold water a plus! Prefer diving with females due to general compatibilities in dive plans.<br /><br />Other interests are travel (backpacking/diving mostly), ocean kayaking, photography, movies, the philosophy of Edward F. &quot;Doc&quot; Ricketts (of Steinbeck's Cannery Row and Sea of Cortez fame), and the poetry of Robinson Jeffers. NOT a major fan of sports (enjoy an occasional game if diving conditions are poor), bars and clubs (although drinking itself is fine, especially with good friends and good conversation or wild sex!), or any activity involving water in a non-liquid state (skiing, snowboarding, shoveling snow) unless a quick escape is possible.
• Your First Name
  Bill Bushing
• Gender
  Male
• Age Range
  58-67
• Marital Status
  Single
• Smoker?
  No
• Street Address:
  P. O. Box 849, Avalon, CA 90704
• City
  Avalon, Santa Catalina Island
• State/Province
  California
• Country
  USA
  United States

 

My Diving Status

• Dive Buddies or Just Socializing?
  Dive Buddies and Socials (interested in both)
• Are you a Diving Professional?
  Other Professional Rank
• Highest Certification level
  Rescue
• Highest certification is with which agency? NAUI, PADI, YMCA...etc
  PADI but I prefer my L.A. County OW certification
• Number of TOTAL Dives
  who's counting, definitely four digits

Contact Information

• E-mail bushing@post.harvard.edu

1 Neutral