Richard D. Counter ’62

Richard “Dick” Counter passed away on 31 October 2015 at home from complications of
mesothelioma. Born in Chicago, he graduated from New Mexico Military Institute and then Maine Maritime Academy serving his class as Executive Officer of the Class of ’62. He achieved Chief Engineer Steam and Diesel at 27 years of age.

After many years at sea, he moved to South Florida and purchased a large apartment complex which had enough dock space to accommodate Ynez, his 110’ Baltic Schooner with 3700 sq.ft. of sail built in 1916.

Richard was well known in the industrial marine community with many years with Tracor Marine, General Offshore and many others worldwide. An extraordinarily innovative man, his specialist resume spanned a bevy of titles, ship husbandry specialist, salvage master, military and private undersea cable installations, built one of the first hydraulic cable plows of his own invention, Millwright on many bascule bridges, rebuilt the gantry cranes in the port of Miami. In addition, he was an accomplished economist, historian of the Civil and both World Wars. Lover of steam
trains both large and small.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and daughters Anne Counter and Susan Rahyar and her husband, Yama, grandsons Oskar and Remy, and sidekick Waddles. He was truly an officer and a gentleman with a spirit of profound love for those close to him. He will always be with us.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to those who helped him in his journey to the end, his lifelong friends from Sweden, Mats and Katarina Andersson, and Jimmy Barr and Bob Chiarello of the Class of ’62.