January 2, 2015 Alan Hale Jr.'s 25th Deathaversary

Alan Hale Jr.

March 8, 1921 - January 2, 1990

25 years ago, The Skipper abandoned ship.

By all (and I mean all) accounts, a terrific guy.

I met him at a radio station promotional thing in Chicago - this would have been early 90's, I was so thrilled I could only say, "Thank you" to him.  He looked me in the eyes, shook my hand and said, 'No, thank you."

Sherwood Schwartz, the creator of Gilligan's Island told the story:

"There was a boy of about 10 who'd just had a kidney removed. Alan debated whether he should see the boy. Just then the doctor came along and said, 'Go ahead, he's waking up.' Alan went in and the boy looked up in disbelief and said, 'Skipper?' Alan said, 'That's right son. The Skipper is here and everything is going to be all right.'

Hale was cremated and scattered at sea.

More details on this and other Castaways are on Findadeath