Drew Loses Good Friend Today
I just learned that one of the most influential people in my life died this morning. I will write more about the man Al Hicks and what he meant to me, but right now it is too fresh in my mind and he deserves more than just a bunch of ramblings. Many of you know me from working with me in corporate America. Only one of you knows me from the towboat days. I am 14 years removed from the last time I put worn out work boots on a metal deck, but it is definitely a period of my life that I like to believe still defines who I am today. Part of what defines me is because I was lucky enough to have known Al Hicks. Luckily that one person who knows me from those days and reads this mess of a blog had the privilege of working with Al Hicks too. I know Al wasn't a guy you think of for a good laugh, but I sure could use a funny Al story right now John. Help me out man.
I Googled Al's name hoping to find something cool, but the only thing I found was this, which incidentally also mentions maybe the most influential pilot in John's career. Maybe not most influential, but certainly one who helped shape John's career as a budding 3rd mate. Mike Pope sure taught me a lot about being a 3rd mate when I ran his watch and I know he did when I passed the torch on to John. Mike and Al worked together a lot in the 90's and a good part of that period included John and me. I'd be willing to bet that if I could find Mike Pope today he'd admit that Al was an influence on his life too, most likely with a nervous twitch and a cigarette in hand, but he would admit it.
I know somewhere in the grand towboat in the sky, one lucky pilot is glad to see Al relieve him of his duties, and one lucky crew is glad to have one of the finest pilots ever steer the course for them. Rest in peace my friend.
3 comments
I remember the time Al always had a real small pocket knife in his pocket which he would jokingly pull out of his pocket if you were messing with him. Well this one time he pulled it out and it fell to the floor and there was a mad scramble to get that knife. We got it before Al did and Al had a saying "Thats your G%& Damm ass"! So when we picked up the pocket knife off the floor we all said to Al in unison " That's your G%% Damm Ass". We all got a big laugh out of it.
I will always remember every morning Al would come down and eat a bowl Cracklin' Oat Bran. Al was quiet in the mornings before he ate his Cracklin' Oat Bran. If looks could kill he would sure give you one before he ate his Cracklin' Oat Bran. After he ate his Cracklin' Oat Bran he would be on his way back upstairs to pull his watch.
Rest in peace Captain Al!
You sure didn't fuck with him in the morning that was for sure. Let him eat that Cracklin' Oat Bran and don't say a word. I remember one day Johnny Pratt asked him why he liked eating that stuff because it looked like cat food. I didn't stick around for the answer. I got the hell out of there and went to the deck locker.
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