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| Pat Ayers on Loggerhead Key |
Pat Ayers just has to be a special person. Several months ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Captain Richard Von Trapp.
Von Trapp story
After the visit I asked him if he knew of any interesting retired folks for my "Retire Right " series. Immediately, he said, "yes, my mother-in-law, Pat Ayers". Now, how many people would recommend their mother in law as interesting ? I thought this lady must be something really special.
Several months went by and we were finally able to be in the same town long enough for an interview.
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| Von Trapp, Pat Ayers, Currie Von Trapp |
Pat Ayers is quite the interesting lady. She spent thirty two years working for the Congressional Research Service in Washington, D.C. While there she worked on many projects of national importance. The C.R.S. is responsible for fact finding any request coming from the Congress or it's committees. They provide non-partisan, data, information and analysis for congress on just how proposed legislation might affect the country.
Pat grew up in New England, Oklahoma and New York State. She went to college at Ohio Wesleyan University. She comes from an old, old New England family by the name of Currier as in Currier and Ives. While at C.R.S. she specialized in business and economics. Apparently she was very good at her job and rose through the ranks through out her career. Pat loved her job and considered herself lucky to work at C.R.S. She was there from 1972 to 2004.
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| Pat Ayers assisting in retrieval of stromatolite |
She started scuba diving while in college. However, like so many "boomers", she left off the fun stuff for several years while career and family took precedence. Then around 1994 she started diving again. During her last years of government service she transitioned from vacation diver to full time professional. Her diving vacations drew her into volunteer work with the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. As a result of her volunteer actions she became an expert on assessing reef life. She identifies the fish and coral, then does the analysis as to the reef's health.
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| Pat with crew for Explorer's Club Mission |
"Reef" teaches ocean appreciation to amateur divers. The idea is to get the new divers to help preserve the reefs rather than destroy them.
Through her volunteer work she got to know Captain Tim Taylor of the Research Vessel Tiburon. In 1996, they worked together on a "Reef" project in the Dry Tortugas. The Tiburon is a research vessel and Capt. Tim needed volunteers. A natural progression pathway opened for Pat. She began using her vacation time to help the Tiburon where ever needed. Some trips she was a diver. Others, she was the head cook and bottle washer. She loved every minute of it. Here she learned what she would do after Washington.
Research Vessel Tiburon
Pat now lives in Key West and works with the R/V Tiburon both from her home office and onboard ship. The crew is filled out according to needs and skills required for the project at hand. Some trips Pat stays in Key West to run the shore side of the operation. She says it's not as much fun but it's a job that suits her. I was told she is considered the "den mother" of the Tiburon.
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| Planning a dive with Captain of RV Tiburon |
Pat's daughter, Currie is a veterinarian in San Antonio. A fellow diver, she travels with her mother and the Tiburon from time to time. On one of those trips, Currie met fellow crew member Captain Richard Von Trapp. They fell in love. And as "they" say, the rest is history. Pat now has a shipmate as a son-in-law. They truly make a great family.
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| Pat and daughter Currie on wedding day on board Grand Princess |
Captain Taylor established a non-profit called Ocean Outreach. It's purpose is to teach the general public about the declining health and general welfare of the Ocean. Pat heads up that organization along with her many other ship's duties. She's been dedicated to saving the Ocean for many years. Check out the web site. They could use your help.
Ocean Outreach
The RV Tiburon is presently on a project for the University of Miami. Dr. Robert Ginsberg is the leading expert in the field of stromatolites and is the leader of the Miami project. It involves the discovery of an underwater field of stromatolites. (see photos)
The ship works for many clients on a variety of interesting projects. It seems to keep the crew stimulated. Both Pat and Richard talked about the on board professionalism. They enjoy the reputation their team is building. They feel the Tiburon has become top notch and can see great things in it's future.
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| Riding a camel in Cairo, Egypt |
Speaking of the future I asked Pat what she saw ahead. World travel and neat Tiburon dive projects. That's where this smart, energetic, determined lady is heading.
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| Bird watching in Alaska |
I knew she was enjoying her retirement when she quoted Helen Hayes by saying, "Live everyday ! To rest is to rust". Her goals are simple. "Learn everyday - grow everyday". Sounds like a winner.
Richard Von Trapp was right...he does have an very interesting mother-in-law.
This story brought to you by:
The Boomer Magazine
and
John Boykin
John@commimage.com
The Hard Hat Photographer
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