Class Notes
1952
dramatic, inspiring, and harrowing,
1965
College's Spring 2013 Commence-
John Fairbanks '52 retired from
and is worth seeing. The US Navy
Sam Rowe '65, though ostensibly
ment. In his speech, Harris shared
the US Department of Energy at
made a movie entitled "The Lucky
`retired' from GE, continues to work
his experience as a Midshipman
the end of September 2013 after 50
Few," which is available for viewing,
nonstop. He's been in Indonesia
Under Guidance (MUG) at MMA,
years of government service. He
and Public Broadcasting made a
since April 2013 working on vari-
mentioning that maritime schools
ended his government career as
4-part documentary now available
ous projects including a major over-
provide a strong foundation where
Technology Development Manager
in its archives online. Jacobs is a
haul of a 700 MW steam turbine
one learns "to innovate, to think
­ Thermoelectrics in Washington,
founder of the USS KIRK (DE/FF-
generator. He noted the engineers
critical y, and to col aborate. In
DC. He has a lot of plans for the
1087) Association which maintains
working on the GE job were from
addition, you learn discipline and
future but hasn't quite decided what
a website at http://www.kirk1087.
the US, Thailand, Vietnam, and the
self-reliance ­ necessary elements
to tackle first ­ a book, travel, or
org.
Philippines. The supervisors were
for success in any country or cul-
other projects?
As part of al these events, Jacobs
from Singapore, Chinese-Indian,
ture." He challenged the graduates
was particularly reaching out to vet-
and Malay backgrounds while the
to take up the future mantle of
erans and Maine's senior citizens.
mechanics were al local Indo-
leadership, providing four princi-
1953
He said, "I was profoundly moved
nesians. Rowe was pleased that
ples for their journey ahead: take
Deane Deshon '53 was inducted
by the Maine Veterans. Some of
the majority of mechanics were
responsibility and be accountable
into the Midcoast Sports Hal of
them came with their Vietnam hats
"very good" and said "I would use
for your actions, bring integrity to
Fame at a ceremony and banquet
they wore when they served in the
them in the States if needed, but of
every activity, understand that bad
on October 19, 2013. He played
war." Mr. Rob Crone, Director of
course, the unions and immigration
news does not get better with age,
three sports while at Rockland
Nutrition and Auxiliary Services for
wouldn't let that fly."
and take care of your people and
High School and three at Maine
the Eastern Area Agency on Aging,
treat them with respect. He also
Maritime Academy: varsity footbal ,
played a vital role in arranging for
stressed the value of working with
basketbal , and basebal . After serv-
many facilities and communities in
1967
diverse groups in enhancing one's
ing in the US Navy, he enrolled at
Eastern Maine to see the documen-
educational experience beyond
Since 2006, Fred Harris `67 has
the University of Maine and played
tary "Lucky Few" and to meet and
the boundaries of school. Harris
been president of General Dy-
another two seasons of basebal . In
speak with Captain Paul Jacobs of
congratulated the class and reas-
namics NASSCO in San Diego. In
1962, he became basketbal coach at
the USS KIRK.
sured them that the solid academic
September it was announced that
Salisbury State College for 8 years
While attending al these events,
foundation and practical insights
he would also become president of
and basebal coach for 34 seasons.
giving presentations and interviews,
they have acquired at Maritime
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
In 1998, he was inducted into the
Jacobs also managed to organize
wil provide them with everything
in Bath, Maine, effective November
Salisbury State College hal of fame.
and host a mini-reunion of the
needed to tackle the challenges that
4. Under Harris' leadership, NASS-
His records indicate he was one of
Class of 1958 at his summer home
may come their way.
CO has maintained its strength
the winningest basebal coaches in
in Castine, ME.
throughout the economic downturn
NCAA Division III history.
from 2008 to the present and his
management team has been recog-
1973
1964
nized for instituting a best-prac-
Kevin Poitras '73
1958
retired as presi-
Robert "Robby" Paulson '64
tices approach to ship design and
dent of General Dynamics Electric
Paul H. Jacobs '58, US Navy Re-
reported that the shipboard fire
construction that is admired and
Boat in Groton, CT in November
tired Commander of the USS KIRK,
fighting training he received at
respected throughout the industry.
2013. Prior to becoming president
had an extremely busy summer this
MMA came in handy when his fish
NASSCO is currently building ships
in 2012, Poitras had been senior
year. He made presentations or was
processing ship, the MV EXCEL-
for the U.S. Navy's Mobile Landing
vice president for engineering, de-
interviewed over 32 times between
LENCE, had a major fire aboard in
Platform (MLP) Program and has
sign, and business development for
June 24, 2013 and August 14, 2013
the spring of 2013. He thanked fire
been awarded multiple contracts to
two years. His retirement ends his
about the USS KIRK, the forgotten
training instructor, Robert Gross,
design, build and convert Jones Act
40 years of employment at Electric
Knox Class destroyer escort (FF
for the superior training received in
vessels to run on liquefied natural
Boat where he began as a nuclear
1087) that stood by, rendered aid,
the MMA Fire Training Program.
gas (LNG). Bath Iron Works, with
construction support engineer in
and participated front and center
The MV EXCELLENCE is a 367
over 5,500 employees, builds Ar-
1973. In the fal of 2012, Poitras was
in "Operation Frequent Wind"
­foot , Uninspected Fishing Vessel,
leigh Burke class AEGIS destroyers
added to MMA's Wal of Honor for
when Saigon fel and the US tried
original y built as a Japanese factory
and Zumwalt class multi-mission
distinguished alumni.
to rescue as many South Vietnam-
trawler in 1973 and now owned
destroyers for the Navy.
ese military and civilian support
by Premier Pacific Seafood out of
On May 10, 2013 Harris delivered
people as possible. The story of the
Seattle, WA.
the keynote address at the State
ship captained by Paul Jacobs '53 is
University of New York Maritime
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