NWSA Gulf Coast Chapter
Biloxi, MS
Back to Home Page

Source: Dick Thayer, Email 4-2-07

From: Dick Thayer
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007
Subject: status info

News from the Gulf Coast Chapter

The Gulf Coast Chapter met on Saturday 24 March at the new Pizzaz Restaurant in Diamond Head. This was the first meeting in nearly a year due to most members having many other concerns and obligations resulting from Katrina. A number of long time Gulf Coast members have moved to other areas of the country and it was uncertain if there were sufficient numbers to warrant the continued existence of the chapter. Our mailing list has been reduced from 85 to about 45.

But based on the turn-out for a great dinner and drinks and the prevailing sentiment of those who attended, the chapter remains active and functioning. Still many Katrina stories to share and lots of discussions on new restaurants popping up on the Coast.

Those in attendance were:

Dick Thayer
Terry Latham
Mike McGlothin
Rich Bouchard
Bob Coniglioni
Frank Schatzle
Angie Walker
Bill Burnett
Pat Salts
Dave Reucher
Doug Maxwell

and a number of spouses

Officers elected:

Dick Thayer - President
Bill Burnett - Vice President and Secretary
Bob Coniglioni - Treasurer

Other members recently sighted or heard from include Phil Newkirk, Amos Fields, Dan Munger, Tim McGee, Jon and Jill Johnson, John Tancredi, Bob Weir, John Wasserman, Russell Balch, Gretchen Breland, Bob Allen, Don Conlee, BobCutting, Greg Eisman, Mike Foster, Pete Furze, Chris Hall, Terry McPherson Bob Kiser, Dave Pashkevich, Craig Petterson, Don Roman, Fred Zeile, Melanie Sigafoose, Bob Garrett, Rich Jeffries, Dan Banks and Kelly Collins.

Although all members in attendance have returned to their homes or have procured new residences, the Coast as a whole continues the long, long process of rebuilding. Many of the best helpers continue to be the tens of thousands of volunteers from the main-stream churches throughout the US and Canada. This continues to be an amazing outpouring of generosity and is greatly appreciated. Especially heartwarming is the number of high school and college youth that elect to spend their spring break here rebuilding houses and removing debris. Much of the new single family housing is developing North of I-10. The beach road (US 90) remains mostly in ruins with the exception of the casinos and a number of large new high rise condos.
 

- - - - - - -

January 2006

The Gulf Coast is taking the initial steps at recovery; but it will be many years before it is the retirement jewel it once was. Most member of the chapter suffered significant damage and loss; many lost everything. Here is the list as I know today:

Fred Able (AGCM ret) - moved to Virginia
Bob Allen (CDR ret) - house destroyed remains in area
Marie Bolton - remains in area
Charles Basset Capt ret) - house destroyed, moved to Florida
Gretchen Breland AGCS ret - damage to house, remains in area
Rich Bouchard - damage to house, remains in area
Bill Burnett - damage, remains in area
Bob Coniglione (AGCM ret) - minor damage, remains in area
Don Conlee (CDR ret) - minor damage, remains in area
Leo Craiglow - moved to : 101 Bayberry Ct, Rome , NY 13440
Bob Cutting (CDR ret) - house destroyed, still in area
Tom Donaldson (RADM ret) , minor damage, remains in area
Greg Eisman (CAPT) - some damage, remains in area
Amos Fields (AGCM ret) - minor damage, remains in area
Pete Furze (CAPT) - house destroyed, remains in area
Tim Gallaudet (CDR) - house destroyed, remains in area
Chris Hall (CDR ret) - minor damage, remains in area
Rich Jeffries (CDR) minor damage, remains in area
John and Jill Johnson (AGCM, AGCS) - major damage, remains in area
Chris Kent (CDR) - damage, remains in area
Bob Kiser (CAPT) - minor damage, remains in are
Rich Kren (CDR ret) damage, remains in area
Terry Latham (AGCS ret) - minor damage, remains in area
Rebecca Lince (LCDR) - major damage, remains in area
Mike McGlothin (AGCM ret) - minor damage remains in area
Carlo Lombardo (LCDR) - minor damage; transferred to Norfolk
Doug Maxwell (AGCM ret) - major damage, remains in area
Tim Mc Gee (RADM) - minor damage, remains in are
Terry McPherson (CAPT ret) - major damage, remains in are
Todd Monroe (CDR) - house destroyed, remains in area
Neil O'Conner (CAPT ret) - moved to Madison MS
Dave Pashkevich (CDR) - minor damage, remains in area
Greg Peterson (CAPT ret) - damage, remains in are
Mike Pind (Capt ret) minor damage, remains in area
Dave Reuscher (AG1 ret) damage, remains in area
Don Roman (CAPT ret) Boat destroyed, land lubber for the time being
Pat Salts (CDR ret) minor damage, remains in area
Frank Schatzle CAPT ret) - house destroyed, remains in area
Ken Schwingshakl (CDR) - damage, remains in area
John Sears (CAPT ret) , minor damage, remains in area
Ed Smith (CAPT ret) - house destroyed, remains in area
Mike Swosinski (CWO 5 USMC) - house destroyed, remains in area
Melanie Sigafoose (LCDR) - major damage, remains in area
Jess Tupaz (CAPT ret) - minor damage, remains in area
Dick Thayer (CDR ret) - damage, remains in area
Fred Zeile (CDR ret) - major damage, remains in area


Dick Thayer
President
Gulf Coast Chapter
Naval Weather Service Association.

Email: Sept 20, 2005  12:39pm

From: Thayer, Richard Eugene CTR CNMOC, N633
To:  NWSA WebMaster
Subj: Gulf Coast Status (Incomplete)

Here is a partial status of the Gulf Coast Chapter; 
Sorry this has taken so long, but the net has not been available. 
Please post this message and my e-mail addresses for those that desire to contact me concerning specific members. 

rethayer@cableon.net 
richard.e.thayer@navy.mil 

As most of you probably have seen The Gulf Coast is not the same; probably won't be for at least a decade. Although Katrina was down to a CAT 4 when it came ashore, it had generated a CAT 5 surge from the winds it had on SAT and SUN. The surge was 20 to 30 feet with 8ft + waves on top of that. In Biloxi and Gulfport the surge generally went inland to the Railroad; but in Waveland it went inland all the way to Diamondhead. Many folks in Diamondhead had surge water that never even considered flood insurance. 

Most every member of the Gulf Coast Chapter suffered some damage, with the average being roof, and rain water intrusion, trees on houses and collapsed ceilings. Several members including Capt Frank Schatzel and Capt Ed Smith lost everything. Others had their homes gutted by the surge. To my knowledge we had no casualties from our membership, but I still have not been able to contact everyone especially those that lost their houses. 

The emergency needs (food, clothes, water and Ice) are being met now. Electricity and phones are restored in most areas except fro the areas wiped out and the more rural sections. Lots of help from many agencies for the necessities. Keesler AFB is essentially closed down except to a skeleton crew and some repair crews and will be for many months. Keesler PX/ Commissary was under 8 ft of water, the hospital had 2 ft. The CB base is in better shape and has opened up a temporary mini commissary that is really helping the military (active and retired ) with need for fresh meats and veggies. 

The big need now is for housing; many folks in the area are living in tents, campers and shelters. For those that did not lose everything, the big need is for roofers and skilled building contactors since almost every house still standing needs a new roof. 

Dick Thayer 
President Gulf Coast Chapter 
NWSA 

CNMOC N633 
Scientific Applications