Eight Bells Tributes

Herb came to the Loop late. He was well known in the Tarpon Springs area as the "Goto Guy" for help. He won Harbor Host of the Year, and "THEN" set out to become a Looper. Completing 3 loops at his age and doing it solo is a huge accomplishment.

He had thousands of stories, and held court at his expansive upper area, for "porch tales" His love for cruising and his love for Loopers was one of the things that made him a "must visit" Looper.

He came off as crusty at start, but after a few moments, you were best friends. If you dig into the forum there are running barbs back and forth, it was part of the Herb humor that makes the Looper community awesome.

I'm missing that curmudgeonly old sailor, but my fond memories of things that he has done: solo Looping, his huge support for the Looper community, and his very dry wit, will keep him alive in my heart for a long time to come. They say people never die until nobody thinks of them, Herb will live on forever.

Travel safe my friend, and remember, you don't need to rub each buoy as you pass it.

Submitted by Foster Schucker, Quo Vadimus

Obituary

Ted Stehle passed away on June 1^st after a brief hospital stay.

Ted and his beloved wife, Audrey, completed the Great Loop in 1999 when there were no electronic navigation apps, no Nebo, and no Bob423.  But there was Waterway Guide, and after Looping, Ted and Audrey shared their knowledge and passion for the waterways by becoming Waterway Guide editors. Ted continued working with Waterway Guide by editing the Skipper Bob books and vetting your reviews for use in the Waterway Guide digital versions until earlier this year.

Ted & Audrey presented frequently at AGLCA events and served as volunteers at many early Looper activities. They are winners of the Sponsor of the Year award under the Waterway Guide banner and served on AGLCA’s Advisory Council for many years. In addition, they have been a stalwart presence at AGLCA Rendezvous. In fact, they’ve probably attended more than I have!

On a personal note, Kim Russo considered Ted a mentor and friend. "He was someone I could call on at any time for advice and wisdom. He truly understood AGLCA and its mission and was passionate about helping others rise to the challenge of cruising America’s Great Loop.  We called Ted the 'Energizer Bunny' because he hadn’t aged a day since I met him, and is always upbeat, enthusiastic, and mentally and physically sharp. He will be missed and will forever be in our hearts."

Obituary

Becky crossed the bar in April 2025 after a lengthy illness and lifelong medical challenges. She is now fully restored in heaven. She absolutely loved every second of our Great Loop Experience! Everyone we met brought her joy and happiness. She handled the boat with skill and precision through the locks as I handled the lines. Thanks to all who followed her journey and supported us from afar in so many ways. Lucky Enough is back home in Florida, missing her Becky.

Submittted by John Johnson

David Fuller aboard Still Waters II passed away unexpectedly on September 16, 2024 while he and Claudia, his wife, were vacationing in Alaska.

Dave and Claudia have been frequent speakers at AGLCA events and are winners of the Ron & Eva Stob Volunteer of the Year Award. Dave was also a regular guest on the Great Loop Radio podcast with his most recent appearance recorded before his departure for Alaska, which was released the Friday before he passed away.

Dave also spearheaded the “You Make the Call” daily message last season to help Loopers find a comfortable and safe window for crossing the Gulf, covering both the “straight across” and the “Big Bend” routes, and had planned to continue that service to his fellow Loopers this season.

Dave founded a men’s Looper Bible Study group that has grown to 30+ members and he was the group’s teaching leader. His profile in that group read, “If you ever hear that I died, do NOT believe it. I will be alive and well in heaven.”

Dave and Claudia cruised tens of thousands of miles aboard Still Waters II, with Claudia fulfilling her role as “first class passenger”, and together they offered advice and insight to any Looper seeking information or friendship. In 2025, they had plans to cruise the last remaining major side trip from the Great Loop route that they had not yet done, the Lower Mississippi River.

Dave had an ability to put others at ease and help build their boating confidence by sharing useful information about the Great Loop through stories of his own adventures. He will long be remembered for his contagious laugh and his big Texas accent. To say David will be missed by the Looping community is an understatement. He leaves a very big hole in the hearts of so many.

Alan passed away suddenly while on the Great Loop. He and his wife Carol were experienced sailors who made the transition to a trawler for the Loop and were the perfect boating team. Their partnership was marked by remarkable teamwork, grace, and a shared sense of humor. Alan was truly special – always greeting others with a smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a spring in his step. He was quick to engage in conversation and never hesitated to help anyone in need. Alan’s generous heart and amazing spirit touched everyone he met and will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Submitted by Betsy Boyd

I would like to honor the memory of "Captain Jim" the owner of the vessel "Le Bateau" that had traversed the "Great Loop" at least 2 times to earn his platinum burgee. He started boating in 1977, and made his boat and water his home starting in 2010 - when he started travelling the "Great Loop" until his passing at the end of 2023.

Submitted by Sarah Thompson

"When I first met my husband, Dave, in 1987, he had just sold all his worldly possessions to buy a 1965 38’ wooden Chris Craft Aft Cabin to live on and live the life of a bachelor; two months later, he met me. Since my maiden name was Johnson, it was appropriate our boat(s) be named Johnson & Johnson. In 2012, we purchased our dream boat, a 52’ Jefferson Pilothouse. The first part of our Great Loop journey would happen when we cruised her home to Prescott, WI from Annapolis, MD, where we purchased her. Dave spent five years making adjustments to the boat so it was up to his standards. His bucket list was to cruise his boat to the Gulf. So, after an early retirement for me, we began the second part of the Loop in September of 2017. We called Legacy Harbour Marina in Fort Myers, Florida, our second home, as we lived on our boat during the winters. We did a lot of cruising around SW Florida, as well as trips doing the Florida Loop around the Keys, and in the winter of 2023, we were blessed with a cruise out to Bimini. Dave and I had plans to finish the Loop by cruising to Maine during the summer of 2024, but because of a sudden heart attack in the fall of 2023, that would never come to happen. We met so many amazing people cruising the Loop; there are still Looper Reunions with some of the very special people we met. Our Captain Dave is truly missed, but those that knew him, were blessed to encounter such an amazing person."

Submitted by Kelly Johnson

Obituary

"He never met anyone he didn’t consider a friend. Was always willing to give a helping hand freely with those in need."

--Sherry Chester, Priorities

A lifelong boater, enjoying and completing the Great Loop was one of Tim’s (and my) retirement dreams. He planned meticulously and read every article he could find on the subject, but nothing could compare to the thrill of actually doing it! It was more than just a bucket list item checked off for him, it was the crowning glory. Tim was never happier than when he was on the water. The sights, the sounds, the people we met, we loved it all! Tim was the Captain and mastermind behind our Loop, I was just the lucky woman who got to join the fun. I am eternally grateful that we completed the Loop when we did. No one could have predicted that three short years later he would be gone, a victim of COVID. The happy memories and the friends we made along our Loop will always be cherished by me.

Submitted by Theresa Gaffney

"She was the reluctant spouse when we started and was the biggest advocate when we crossed our wake. This is her with our SeaDog Chewy. Together again."

~ Ralph Azersky, Mazel Tug

Obituary