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.

• 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

• Albert E. McPherson ’81

  Deceased date: February 10, 2026
  Greenville and Stephenson, Virginia – Albert E. McPherson, 67, passed away suddenly February 10, 2026, at his home. He was born October 27, 1958, in Fort Kent, the son of Ewan and Edith (Hughes) McPherson. Albert was a 1977 graduate of Greenville High S…read more

• John F. McCormack, Jr. ’71

  Deceased date: February 10, 2026
  John F. McCormack Jr., of Buxton, Maine, passed away on February 10th in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Born in Portland, Maine, John was the son of John and Marion (O'Connell) McCormack. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Judy McCormack, and…read more

• Richard B. Munsey ’57

  Deceased date: February 7, 2026
  Richard "Dick" B. Munsey, Sr., passed away on February 7, 2026. He was born on April 19, 1936, in Brunswick, Maine, to Maynard an…read more

• Donald A. McAllister ’61

  Deceased date: February 6, 2026

  Donald McAllister, 86, of St. Augustine, FL, and formerly of Bath, ME, passed away February 6, 2026. A Maine Maritime Academy graduate, Donald served in the Merchant Marines and as Ch…read more

• Kenneth E. Boschert ’76

  Deceased date: January 31, 2026
  Kenneth “Ken” Boschert, also know as “Pa” to his beloved grandkids and their friends, passed away in Hackensack Hospital on Saturday, January 31st, 2026 after a short illness. His loving family was at his bedside when he passed. Ken graduated f…read more