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Mike Alexander and the ship he loved.
Mike (second from left) at the October 2, 2004
crew reunion in Nags Head, pictured here with
Conservancy board members (L-R)
Dan McSweeney, Susan Gibbs, Greg Norris,
Rich Rabbett and Jeff Henry.
Mike with Conservancy Board member, Richard April,
aboard the Big U, July, 2001.
Mike aboard his beloved SS United States.
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MICHAEL ALEXANDER
January 29, 1956 - January 27, 2005
A tireless advocate of the
SS United States.
The SS United States Conservancy joins in mourning the loss of Mike
Alexander, one of the SS United States' most loyal and talented supporters.
Since 1997 Mike's website - www.ss-united-states.com - has served as an
enduring testament to the ship he dearly loved.
Mike's connection to the SS United States began when he traveled aboard her
from Southampton to New York as an 11-year-old, and he never forgot seeing
the Statue of Liberty at sunrise in New York harbor or the ship that took
him home. Many years later, he was struck by the poignant image of the SS United States being towed across the ocean by a single tug for asbestos
removal and he set forth to raise public awareness of the ship's plight and
potential. As he told the Denver Post back in 1998: "Preserve is not a term
I am fond of. I want to create something new, a bridge that connects the
past, the present and the future. And in this case, the bridge is a
beautiful ship." At this, Mike succeeded. The bridge he worked so hard to
construct still stands, granting passage to so many. Debate over the ship
and her future continues; those who cherish the legacy of the ship continue
to engage in spirited discussions, debate the financial viability of a refit
and the key priorities for preservation. But Mike's majestic bridge still
towers above, inspiring awe. He made his bridge strong enough and wide
enough for all of us to travel on, despite our different views and
perspectives, and regardless of what drew us to the ship in the first place.
Mike liked to quote William Francis Gibbs, who said at the ship's
christening: "To bring a project of this magnitude to a successful
conclusion requires the skill, ability, effort and enthusiasm of many
individuals and organizations... who with head, heart and hand have
collaborated to make this dream come true." Mike recognized that the SS United States' story is really a story about the people who worked together
to create and sustain her. Mike realized that the dream of the SS United States didn't end with her design and her launch; the dream began there.
Mike inspired all of us to believe in the dream of the SS United States and
to work hard on the ship's behalf. As Mike wrote on his website: "Thousands
of people helped build and maintain the beautiful SS United States. At every
port of call she shined.... This all-American beauty was always ready and
sailed on an equally important mission. You see, where ever this ship went
she reflected the best of America. Her real secret mission: INSPIRATION."
This mission is one that Mike and his beloved ship shared.
The SS United States Conservancy extends our heartfelt condolences to all of
Mike's family and friends, and we pledge to work harder than ever for the
cause that Mike believed in. We will post updated information on our
website in the coming days about a memorial service for Mike being planned
in Ohio. Mike was laid to rest on Saturday, February 5th in the Mt. Olivet
Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and leaves behind his mother Toni, his
father Gregory, and brothers Gregory and Ted.
SS United States Conservancy
Post Office Box 90482
Raleigh, NC 27675
Telephone: (617) 320-8459
Email: info@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
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