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Dr. Raymond F. McAllister
1923 - 2012
Dr. Raymond F. McAllister
1923 - 2012
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Raymond McAllister Obituary
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 am Saturday, September 22 at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lighthouse Point, with a reception to follow at 11:00 am at the Pompano Beach Elks Lodge No. 1898, 700 NE 10th Street, 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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Richard Albury
August 8, 2013
Dr. Mac was one of my favorite professors in the Ocean Engineering program, and I am honored to have known him and learned from him. He was truly exceptional, and I am sad I was never able to stop by and have a cup of tea as he offered once. Somewhere, I hope he is smiling on the deep.
Farewell, Dr. McAllister.
Keod Smith
March 24, 2013
My condolences to the family of Dr McAllister who I had the pleasure of meeting in around 2004-2005 discussing proposition of an LNG pipeline from The Bahamas to Florida. As Bahamas Ambassdaor for The Environment; Chairman of the Bahamas Environment Science & Technology Commission and Member of Parliament, I thought it was a bad idea. He supported my posture and edified me on the things I needed in order to defeat that idea here in The Bahamas. God blessed us for having a man so committed for so long.
Matthew Young
November 27, 2012
He greatly influenced the passion and ethics I took with me into the workplace. Lots of fond memories on the water.
Mike Ashey
September 26, 2012
I will miss our friendship Ray. 32 years is a long time to know someone. We had many good times diving or just floating around on hot, lazy summer days waiting for our next dive on third reef. I will miss our talks and going out to dinner with you. I am a better man, husband, father,citizen and ocean engineer thanks to you. Most of all I will miss the sound of your voice. The secrets of the universe are now yours and if I know my friend Ray you are already exploring an ocean on some distant planet. We will meet again but not to soon as I have many tall stories to tell my grandchildren about you!
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Debbie Martin
September 26, 2012
Dr. Ray, Family and Friends,
I met Doc. Ray as his student in Ocean Engineering @FAU in 1988. What an amazing person...so alive and connected to life and nature. He encouraged me to enter into the field of "Ocean Engineering" to this day I'm regretful I didn't. Ray was someone I will never forget...When I asked him how he acquired his limp he said to me, "Well, I was on an ocean expedition when we came across a giant whale. With some trepidation I leap onto the whales back and my foot landed in the whales blowhole. At that very moment the whale CLOSED its blowhole smashing my ankle inside?"
My condolences to your family. Dr. Ray it was an honor to be just one of your MANY students in LIFE.
kind regards,
Davida Fiore
September 24, 2012
I can still feel the warmth and intensity of his hugs and I'm grateful for having met him.
September 23, 2012
My wife, Tong, and I missed you forever. I learned a lot from you, including English writing, when I worked for FAU's Ocean Engineering Department during 1982-1989. I always enjoyed having lunch together every day. I also realized that you ate mold cheese for not wasting the food. Now, I understand that the mold cheese containing natural antibiotics, Penicillin, likely gave you a better health for many years. I am following your footstep.
Newman Lin
September 23, 2012
My wife, Tong, and I missed you forever. I learned a lot from you, including English writing, when I worked for FAU's Ocean Engineering Department during 1982-1989. I always enjoyed having lunch together every day. I also realized that you ate mold cheese for not wasting the food. Now, I understand that the mold cheese containing natural antibiotics, Penicillin, likely gave you a better health for many years. I am following your footstep.
Tom Bloomer
September 23, 2012
September 23, 2012
Suzi and I will miss you. Thanks for all the good times and unforgettable memories.
Eating with chopsticks 2008
Tom Bloomer
September 23, 2012
Barbara Larkin
September 22, 2012
"To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind, is NOT to die."
Love and light...
SeaTech Barbi
Barbara Larkin
September 22, 2012
Dr. Mac:
I enjoyed the years I worked with you at FAU and especially your sea stories of your diving adventures. You will be missed. The memorial service for you was beautiful, as was the reception, where you life was celebrated and personal stories were shared.
Love and Light... Barbara Larkin, a.k.a. "SeaTech Barbi".
Roman Boszko
September 22, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Ewa Tomas
September 22, 2012
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Captain Steve Westervelt
September 22, 2012
Rest in piece Dr Ray,
You have left us here in a world that you so greatly loved but that your teachings and greatness will continue on forever. The diving community
Has lost our true leader and pioneer here in South Florida.
And now it is time to name your reef in these local waters to add to all the ones you gave us! Til we meet again my friend;
John Simon
September 21, 2012
As one of his many Ocean Engineering students, I have many fond memories of RayMac from FAU. A fond farewell from the OE's
At one of Ray's Famous Shrimp Boils
Donna Walsh
September 21, 2012
Ray I loved your bear hugs and the time chatting in the car as we drove to Sea Secrets in Miami. I am glad we took every opportunity to share time and conversations with you. I'm going to miss you a lot.
Donna Walsh
Wayne Harland
September 21, 2012
Ray was a fixture in the diving community of Broward County for 30+ years. His guide to the reefs and wrecks for recreational divers was the bible for scuba enthusiasts. I met Ray in 1982 and worked with him when Broward County's artificial reef program began. His knowledge, support and humor were assets that will be missed.
Fair winds and following seas good friend.
Wayne Harland
Crystal River, Fl - but 30+ yr Lighthouse Point/Pompano resident.
Matthew Haley
September 21, 2012
Ray was a pleasure for all of us at the gym to talk to daily. He loved to talk about his diving experiences and love of higher education. This year Ray said many times that he was ready to go when the Lord wanted him. Rest in peace Ray, we will never forget you!
john saif
September 21, 2012
may you rest with the lord,fun is just starting
Don Boudria
September 21, 2012
For musicians young and old, he was Dr. Ray. He loved nature, music, and most of all people. He was a friend whom we will never forget. He truly touched people near and far. Good bye old friend,
From the Canadian contingent of his fan club,
The Honorable Don Boudria, P.C. and Maryann Boudria, Ottawa Canada
2005 visit with Ray (&Pat) at Hillsboro Lighthouse
Mary Ralya
September 20, 2012
I will miss you a lot Uncle Ray! You were larger than life and dear to me. Love you, rest in peace, Mary
Rosemarie Fay
September 20, 2012
Words can never express how much you will be missed and never forgotten by anyone who knew you.
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1199 NE 36th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33064
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