The tradition of Eight Bells pays respect to deceased mariners and signifies that a sailor's “watch” is over.

The practice dates back to the days of the sailing ships, when sailors couldn't afford to have their own time pieces and relied on the ship's bells to tell time. The ship's boy kept time by using a half-hour glass. Each time the sand ran out, he would turn the glass over and ring the appropriate number of bells. Each ship “watch” is four hours, or eight bells, in length.

Submissions for Eight Bells

If you learn of the passing of a MMA classmate, associate, friend or family member, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations so that we may include the information in our Eight Bells listings. Send obituaries or their digital links to alumni@mma.edu.

• Richard C. Somerville ’66

  Deceased date: May 9, 2026
  Richard “Dick” Somerville passed away on May 9, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply, countless stories, and a legacy built on hard work, humor, stubbornness, and a life fully lived. Richard was born in Houlton, Maine, while his fathe…read more

• Kenneth G. Fahrbach ’64

  Deceased date: May 4, 2026
  Kenneth G. Fahrbach, of Scio, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born November 23, 1941, in Queens, Ken was the son of George and Anna Pfeffer Fahrbach. A 1960 graduate of Admiral Farragut Academy, he co…read more

• Andrew J. Banks ’83

  Deceased date: April 17, 2026
  In the early morning hours of April 17, 2026, Andrew J Banks started “the longest walk” toward his ancestors. Born in 1961 to Les and Marion Banks of Kittery Maine, Andy moved lightly upon this Earth, whether it was walking softly in the woods, glidin…read more

• Capt. Richard L. Ingalls ’51

  Deceased date: April 16, 2026
  Capt. Dick Ingalls set to sea on his final voyage on April 16, 2026. He was one month shy of 96. Dick led an amazing life, and he never stopped working hard and worrying about his community and his country. Dick was born in Bangor to Alice (Strang) and…read more

• Charles H. Ulrich, Former Professor

  Deceased date: April 8, 2026
  Charles H. Ulrich, age 96, died at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was born 31 December 1930, the son of the late Reuben (Bob) L. Ulrich and Marie (Wise) Ulrich of Hutchinson, MN. Charles was raised on the family farm ne…read more

• Kenneth A. Grover ’47

  Deceased date: March 25, 2026
  Kenneth A. Grover, 99, died peacefully, with family members at his side, Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at Sussman House in Rockport. Born in Augusta on March 7, 1927, he was the son of N. Merle Grover and Mildred Katharin Newton, and was raised on a dairy far…read more

• Zachary B. McKechnie ’24

  Deceased date: March 21, 2026
  Zachary Blaine McKechnie had a way of lifting the people around him—full of life, often humming a catchy tune, already thinking ahead to the next project, the next adventure, or the next person he wanted to connect with. He passed away on March 21, 2026…read more

• Capt. Terry A. Rycenga ’81

  Deceased date: March 13, 2026
  Captain Terry Alan Rycenga, United States Merchant Marine (Ret.), 66, a highly respected Master Mariner and Commanding Officer in the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command Combat Logistics Force fleet, crossed the final bar on March 13, 2026, pe…read more

• Joseph A. Shepard ’65

  Deceased date: March 11, 2026
  Joseph Alva Shepard, 82, of Myrtle Beach, SC formerly of Rhode Island passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at his residence. He …read more

• Josephy M. Darling ’59

  Deceased date: March 3, 2026
  Joseph Marshall Darling died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 3, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.  He was born February 10, 1938, and lived his 88 years to the fullest. He was born in Bangor, Maine, raised in Bath, Maine and graduated from Morse Hig…read more