Posted by Ted Sharshan on June 29, 2004 at 20:54:23:
In Reply to: Sad to Announce that Paul Meister died last evening posted by Elaine on June 24, 2004 at 09:28:03:
I first met Paul Meister in 1995 when I volunteered to teach the
Catalina Conservancy Divers Research divers training class with the help
of Dr. Bob Given and Paul Meister. I immediately shared his vision with
him as to what recreational divers can do to help make significant
contributions to future generations.
Back in 1971 the GLACD was involved in an underwater research kelp
restoration project at Whites Point, PV, which was administered by the
LA County of Parks and Recreation. Money to support the project ran out
in 1973, and the GLACD Oceans Projects Section ( of which Paul was
administrations director) was formed to continue the research. The
monitoring continued well in to the 80's where hundreds of divers were
involved, and upwards to 1000 over the years.
I could see Paul was a true Whites Point historian both above and below
the water. For his retirement gift I had made up a Meister Point State
Park sign.
Realizing his passion with Whites Point site, I organized a monitoring
station there where Conservancy divers would meet once a month and
collect data and discuss the marine life there.
Through out the years I spent several hundred hours talking with him.
The conversation would always lead to how to bring recreational divers
together to increase our knowledge and with our combined efforts,
produce badly needed information about the marine enviroment. He was
always willing to talk for hours on this subject whenever I would call
him on the phone.
He would always vision the new technology that would make his goals more
achievable. His Ecotracking web site was up just as the internet was
becoming popular. There he put up all his data for Whites Point with
hopes of getting more people involved.
Next came the Salt and Peanuts conference, where recreational divers
could go to present and discuss their scientific efforts. The first one
was held at Scripps Institute in 2001 and the second one was held at Cal
Tech in 2003.
To mention a few of his other involvement's, in 1971 he co- authored a
paper in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers ( Paul was
an electrical engineer by trade) about constructing a kelp habitat, and
in 1976 he co- authored a paper about using skin diving to benefit the
mentally retarded, published in the proceedings of a conference hosted
in corporation with the LA County Superintendents of Schools and
California Department of Education.
Personally he was a mentor who inspired me and helped make me see the
ocean in a different way. I can honestly say I will truly miss his
presence.
My deepest regards to his wife Dodi who was very supportive of his
efforts.
Ted Sharshan