Steve Drogin

on Destiny somewhere in the Gulf of California
Photo courtesy of Dave Behrens

This week we mourn the loss of a dear friend, fellow diver, photographer and humanitarian: Steve Drogin .

I met Steve when he took his boat Destiny on her maiden voyage to Puerto Vallarta in 2004. While there, he contributed greatly to my research. We had some fun dives and good laughs. I named a species of aeolid after his boat Cuthona destinyae in his honor. Mike and I did a BOW on this species a while back.

So many things can be said about him, so I will focus on some of his recent interests that link us to this amazing critter we chose for branch of the week.

In recent years, Steve began the persuit of the deep, building a submarine to see things nobody had seen before. He got deeply involved (pardon the pun) into the development and construction of DeepSee submarine and the tender boat Argo . Steve dove places and saw things no body had seen or been before.

Last summer both boat and submarine spent a long time in Mexico, deep diving in the Gulf of California. U-Tube and Isla Guadalupe. See also an article that appeared in the San Diego Union in August 2008 regarding this expedition. During one of the sub dives, Avi Kepfler saw and filmed this amazing looking Tritonia . You can enjoy the complete footage of it crawling around and even trying to feed on a sea pen . It appears to be an undescribed species. No specimens were collected, so we will have to wait for another opportunity to collect and study it.

I will always remember the bumper sticker he had on the truck he brought to Mexico when I met him, I think it sums him up: The Ocean is my Playground.

We will miss Steve and his contagious passion for life.

Send Ali email at gueri25@hotmail.com

WEBMASTER'S NOTES:

You've probably heard this quote many times but it certainly applies to the life and times of Steve Drogin "The mold from which Steve was created is gone forever!" Steve was unwavering in his support of Marine Sciences Research. His ultimate endeavor in this regard was the development and building of a deep sea submersible to go where few scientists have gone before! Steve and his wife Hiro never hesitated on their many trips abroad to bring back startling images of Sea Slugs for the site. What probably isn't common knowledge is Steve's commitment to the education of the younger generation to the wonders of the sea. Steve was always available despite his hectic schedule to take time off and honor the San Diego School's District frequent requests for a speaker to talk to students about a subject he lived and breathed! What more can be said? Bon voyage Steve, on life's ultimate journey!

A Flash FLV version of the Tritonid video can be seen at Tritonia sp.

A Quicktime version of the same video can be seen at Tritonia sp.

A second show put together in Steve's memory can also be seen:

A Flash FLV version can be see as follows: Nudibranchs of Irian Jaya

A Quicktime version of this show can be seen at Nudibranchs of Irian Jaya

The above videos are around 25 megs so you will need a broadband connection to conveniently see them. Will also need a *.flv file player and the latest version of Quicktime!

Webmaster, Ali, and Leeanne Vanderkoi (forefront)
Night Dive, Komodos
Oct. 2007

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