'Dean of the Waterways,' dies at 99

The recreational boating safety community lost a pioneer this weekend.   From the Knoxville News Sentinel:

W. Claude Fox, a nationally recognized pioneer in boat racing, marine sales and boating safety, died Saturday at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He was 99.

Mr. Fox, often referred to as "Dean of the Waterways," was the oldest member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. For more than 30 years, he served as executive director of the Knoxville-based National Outboard Association and officiated boat races throughout the country. He also was former owner of Fox & Co., a Knoxville marine sales and sporting goods company.

From a 1986 interview, Fox talked about boating years ago:

"In the early days, if you went for a boat ride, you always went upstream," he said. "That was so you could float back down in case of a breakdown. It was a rare thing to complete even a short trip without your engine quitting at least once. Nowadays, outboards are so reliable, there are plenty of people who would think nothing of setting out to cross the ocean with one."

According to the News-Sentinel, Fox's greatest contribution to boating was in safety. He helped organize the Coast Guard Auxiliary's Flotilla 12-1, the oldest in the nation. Mr. Fox conducted more than 300 boat safety exams for the auxiliary -- including conducting one for Elvis Presley.  He won numerous honors, including one for saving a man's life on Fort Loudoun Lake.

Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Fox.