2016 Memorial Garden Honorees

Tom W. Freeman

Artist-in-Residence
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

In February 2013, Tom was selected as the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's artist-in-residence for NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System. Freeman was a world-renowned painter of dramatic images of the American maritime experience with works hanging in galleries and museums across the nation including the White House and the Smithsonian. He created detailed and evocative paintings that shine a bright light on the unseen wonders that make our national marine sanctuaries so special. Tom capturing of important moments from our nation's maritime history emphasized the need for increased ocean stewardship.

Helen Marcy Golde

Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Administrator
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service

Helen joined the Sanctuaries and Reserves Division as permit coordinator, then become branch chief of the Conservation, Planning and Policy Division, and later, as deputy director and then acting director for the Office of Protected Resources in NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, worked tirelessly to recover threatened and endangered species. She helped create several important programs, policies and conservation philosophies that continue to guide the National Marine Sanctuary System. Her analytical skills and ability to network and mentor made her an effective advocate not only for sanctuaries, but NOAA as a whole.

Ted Beuttler

Attorney-Advisor
NOAA's Office of General Counsel

Ted's soft-spoken demeanor belied the strength of his resolve to faithfully support his clients and the marine resources he cared about so deeply. In 1999, Ted moved from the enforcement section of NOAA General Counsel to Oceans and Coasts and immediately became one of the most trusted legal advisors for sanctuaries. His practice focused on the national marine sanctuaries of the Florida Keys, Hawaii and Northern California, but he was involved in almost every major legal issue of the National Marine Sanctuary System. Ted's 31 years as a NOAA attorney exemplified NOAA's role as a steward of the ocean and coastal environment and living marine resources.

Linda "Lindy" S. Johnson

Attorney-Advisor
NOAA's Office of General Counsel

Linda (Lindy) S. Johnson served as an attorney in NOAA's Office of General Counsel for International Law exhibiting an extraordinary ability to combine her legal expertise with acumen, creativity, persistence, enthusiasm and unequalled interpersonal skills to advance the interests of sanctuaries and NOAA. She played an instrumental role in international agreements that directly protect sanctuary and reserve resources. As NOAA's principle representative on the U.S. delegation to the International Maritime Organization, Lindy spearheaded NOAA's effort to designate the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as the nation's first Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. Her efforts also were critical to protecting the North American right whales in Stellwagen Bank and Gray's Reef national marine sanctuaries.

Stephanie S. Campbell

Attorney-Advisor
NOAA's Office of General Counsel

Stephanie was an integral part of creating the National Marine Sanctuary System, serving as the lead attorney for the designation of several sanctuaries as well as for multiple regulatory revisions aimed at more effective protection of valuable sanctuary resources. A meticulous lawyer, she focused on preparing regulations that significantly increased resource protection while minimizing ambiguity or unintended results. She believed deeply in the value and great potential of sanctuaries to protect fragile marine resources and the unique ability of sanctuaries to educate and inspire the public. Stephanie truly helped shape the way national marine sanctuaries are managed to this day.

Dallas D. Miner

Director (Ret.)
NOAA's Office of Marine and Estuarine Sanctuaries

While Dallas was director of the Office of Marine and Estuarine Sanctuaries, areas were designated as national marine sanctuaries, including the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Dallas also served as director of the National Ocean Service Office of External Affairs. Later, at the American Sportfishing Association and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, he served as principal liaison between nongovernmental organizations representing all aspects of fish, wildlife and resource conservation interests. Dallas concluded his career as program specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Branch of Habitat Restoration where he was involved with communication and consultation with regional and field offices and served as a liaison with other service and habitat conservation programs.

Louis "Uncle Buzzy" Agard

Reserve Advisory Council Member
NOAA's Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

"Uncle Buzzy" was a fisherman, author, scholar, community advocate and revered kūpuna (elder) who played a key role in the establishment of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, being personally recognized by President Bill Clinton at the signing ceremony of the Executive Order that established the protected area. Through his service on advisory bodies of the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council and his affiliation with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Uncle Buzzy's contributions to the Hawaiian community, marine resource management and the betterment of the archipelago extend far beyond his support of Papahānaumokuākea. Humble, gracious and respectful, he influenced generations with his integrity and soft-spoken optimism.

High Chief Tufele Li'amatua

Secretary Office of Samoan Affairs

High Chief Tufele Li'amatua, as the Secretary of the Office of Samoan Affairs, led the public engagement process resulting in expansion of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Tufele was also instrumental in securing local understanding and interest in the five sites added to Fagatele Bay. He was the first elected Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa and was also appointed as the chairman of the Future Political Status Study Commission. Tufele was a strong advocate of his people and protecting cultural and natural resources. His fundamental belief in supporting the expansion was that leaders need to take care of the family and appreciate national marine sanctuaries as a privilege for future generations.

Captain Douglas R. Cooper

Mooring Buoy Specialist
NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

After working for the State of Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) removing abandoned lobster traps, Doug became a member of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Buoy Maintenance Team installing and maintaining moorings to protect reefs from anchor damage. His memorial service was held on the beautiful clear waters of Looe Key reef, followed by dedication of a mooring buoy maintenance vessel named for him and a mooring buoy set at Cooper's Reef in the Tortugas Ecological Reserve North with a memorial plaque placed on the ocean floor.

Captain Alex Creedon

Mooring Buoy Specialist
NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Alex was best known as a "Buoy Boy" at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. In his more than 20 years in the Florida Keys, Alex logged more than 1,500 dives as a PADI instructor, NOAA working diver and Florida Department of Environmental Protection diver. He held a U.S. Coast Guard Masters of 100 Ton Motor and Sailing Vessel License with more than 14,000 hours at sea. Alex also shared his love of the ocean with fellow divers and students at Underseas, Inc. and Paradise Divers and lent his expertise to The Nature Conservancy by captaining its research vessel.

Captain Thor Dunmire

Mooring Buoy Specialist
NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Captain Dunmire's marine career spanned the globe from Big Pine Key to Antarctica. Thor was a deep sea dive officer in the United States Navy. At the Florida Marine Research Institute, he studied the impact of habitat changes on fish populations following hurricanes before becoming a technician at NOAA's Aquarius Habitat and NOAA's Undersea Research Center. With NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research and Technology, he continued his work providing support for technical diving missions. Although his time was short as a buoy team member with Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Thor's work extended over almost two decades in support of the sanctuary's mission in the Florida Keys.

Irene Upshaw Hooper

Executive Director
Seacamp Association

Irene dedicated her life to the conservation of South Florida. With the creation of the Seacamp Association, Irene taught students to become responsible stewards of their ocean and coastal environment, spawning similar marine science programs across the country. Irene won numerous national and international awards for her vision. She worked to support designation of Looe Key Reef as a national marine sanctuary and served on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary advisory council. Irene's advocacy resulted in lasting protection that includes Looe Key, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, and portions of the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge.

Captain Noel Kartman

Mooring Buoy Specialist
NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Noel was a boat captain and was recognized as one of the best divemasters in the Florida Keys, who taught students at Seacamp before joining the buoy team at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He also spent many years as a commercial diver and running his own charter fishing and dive business. A true Keys character, Noel always had a story to tell and took time off every year to return to Seacamp to share his passion about marine science with the young campers.