Captain Benjamin F. STRICKLAND 

Captain Benjamin F. Strickland of Richland WA, born April 3rd, 1930 
in Abbeville, AL, passed away on July 26, 2009 at the age of 79 
after a long battle with cancer. Capt. Strickland enlisted in the 
United States Navy in 1947, serving for nine years, in which he saw 
service on several ships in the Pacific and during the Korean War. 
Honorably discharged in 1956 as a Boatswains Mate First Class (BM1), 
Capt. Strickland remained in the Seattle area and sailed in the 
Merchant Marine, working his way up to the level of licensed Master 
Mariner. Ashore, Capt. Strickland worked for US Salvage as a marine 
surveyor and for Crowley Maritime in a variety of marine operations, 
maritime salvage and executive leadership positions, including Vice 
President and General Manager of Crowley Maritime Salvage, Inc. 
Retiring in 1985, he continued his affiliation with Crowley, 
remaining on as a part-time consultant to the corporation and Senior 
Salvage Master. Capt. Strickland also founded National Marine 
Services, his own marine operations and salvage consulting firm and 
continued to travel throughout the world, lending his 
internationally recognized expertise to a wide range of maritime 
interests and government agencies. In 1989, Capt. Strickland served 
as the towing master for the stricken Exxon Valdez where he 
supervised the rigging and safe transit for the 2050 nautical mile 
transit from Alaska to San Diego. He retired for good in 1997. Capt. 
Strickland was a member of the Puget Sound Maritime Historical 
Society and the Port of Seattle Propeller Club. He is survived by 
his wife of 40 years, Margaret L. Strickland, three sons, Keith 
Strickland of Portland, OR, Benjamin F. Strickland II of Manassas, 
VA, John J. Strickland of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by three 
grandchildren, Brian, Amy and Laura and his sisters Ann Baugh and 
Yvonne Wright. He was pre deceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
William Lee Strickland, his first wife Laura, 2 brothers and 1 
sister. Celebration of Life will be held on September 17, 2009 at 
5:00 p.m. at HYATT OLIVE 8 in Seattle, WA. Food and beverages will 
be served. At Ben's request, attire will be casual. Inurnment will 
be at 1:00 p.m. September 22, 2009 at Arlington National Cemetery 
Arlington VA. 

Published in The Seattle Times on September 9, 2009