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Tributes
Remembering Those That Have Left
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This page is
dedicated to the memory of some of the pioneers and
contributors of the Los Angeles County Underwater
Instructors Course and our various underwater programs.
These individuals gave so much of themselves and have
forever left their eternal footprint in the sand for us
to follow.
They shall never be forgotten. |
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Remembering Al Tillman
On January
16, 2004, the diving industry lost one of the greatest
pioneer's in the field of diving education. Al Tillman
was long recognized as a founding father of recreational
dive training in the United States, developing the first
public skin and scuba diver program for Los Angeles
County in 1954.
This visionary program, co-developed with Bev Morgan,
arose when Al brought to the County's attention the need
to provide safe training for the rapidly growing numbers
of people exploring the field of recreational skin and
scuba diving. As a result, Al was the driving force in
the development of both the worlds first Public Training
Agency and Underwater Instructor Certification Course
(1UICC), models upon which all training in the dive
industry would be based.
In 1960, Al and Neal Hess took the next step in
evolution of dive training when they formed the National
Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI). Al served
as President and Hess as Executive Secretary in this
innovative attempt to bring standardized dive training
practices to a nation-wide audience clamoring for a
safer and more effective way to learn to dive.
Diving remained a passion for Al throughout the decades
that followed. With his teaching, the publication of
many cornerstone diving texts, and the development of
numerous other projects, including the creation UNEXSO
in Freeport Grand Bahamas Island in 1965, Al remained a
pioneer. |
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Remembering Paul Meister
On June 23, 2004, the diving community lost a very dear
teacher, mentor and friend. Paul Meister influenced
thousands of divers in the Southern California area, and
his presence will be felt for generations to come. He
was a great human being, whose essence was to share his
love of the sea and his desire to protect it.
Paul had two passions. He loved introducing kids to the
ocean scientifically; teaching them respect for the
environment and working together on ocean projects. He
was also involved with the Junior Frog Program in the
1960's and the Golden Fin Tournament.
His other passion was Coastal Monitoring (White Point),
a project he spear-headed and one that remained close to
his heart.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has established a
special "Paul Meister" fund, for the specific receipt of
tax-deductible donations to be used solely to expand the
county "SAS" program as well as youth skin diving
programs. |
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