Eight Bells Tributes

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

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.

"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

"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