Very sad day: Capt. Zeb Alford passes away - Page 4

Admiral Von Gerlach · 08-07-09, 04:03 AM

I read with sadness of the passing of Capt Alford. A remarkable man, a consumate seaman, trusted and accomplished Captain, and I am sure, a fine shipmate to all who knew and loved him, as well as a beloved father and husband and freind. What a tribute to him as well, the posts by you four daughters, what finer tribute can a man have than to be loved by those he loved?

To go to sea, and to be at sea on a tour of duty, a voyage, one is far from home, far from port, and far out under the sky commanded only by one's compass, and the Lord of the Waters. Each time, one never knows what may come, yet men like Capt Alford have folowed that duty with cheer, strong hearts and the courage and compassion that character brings. Reading the tale of his career one can sense behind and between the words the immense dedication, attention and care given, and a life lived fully.

A life is like a voyage too, we are all of us far from the port that we were launched from, and none know when we may be called to make that final port of call. I had tears many times as i read these posts and thought of a life of duty and service and then folllowed by earnest and valiant additional work to help us all described here. I am only sorry i never will be able to meet this fine man. I am from a Naval family, and have been on two of Capt Alford's commands over past years, thought not I believe when he was in command. We are all here shipmates of a kind, and no better word describes the bonding and the fellowship that comes from service at sea and for shared goals and voyaging.

Fair winds, Captain, and though you have departed on your final voyage from us here, out there in that vast Ocean none of us may know yet, you are surely sharing your voyage with shipmates and loved ones both in spirit from here and who may have also passed on that journey as well.

I made a little picture of what i see as your final leave taking, a view I am sure you saw many times in the service.....and a wonderful last port of call to depart from...and to journey forth bearing so much love from those you leave behind your heart will be warmed forever and a day.

Salute

Loud_Silence · 08-07-09, 04:06 AM

Rest In Peace

Schroeder · 08-07-09, 04:08 AM

Sorry to hear that. May he rest in peace.

Blacklight · 08-07-09, 01:55 PM

*Salute*
Rest in peace, Captain.

ichso · 08-08-09, 02:10 AM

R.I.P. Zeb Alford

Admiral Von Gerlach · 08-08-09, 03:14 AM

Katie, i am glad you liked the picture of the Golden Gate, it came to me as a symbol of your dad's times at sea and i figured you all had lived in California, either up there or San Deigo both having sub bases..i have lived in both and grew up myself out there too, and know that pattern of moves, having moved 24 times before i was 21

Peggy, that was a very touching tribute to your mom, Margaret and our hearts to out to you and to her and all that you describe. Life is not always easy but it is always precious, and it is clear that your parents gave you all a full cargo of love, care and the best of values which all are the foundations of character.

If i could come i would but am recoving from a long series of operations...but your sharing with us and this chance to honour dad has uncovered in all of us i think a deep welling up of love and respect that we all feel, and we will be there in spirit for the serivce, and with you in the days, months and years ahead when you feel the void that your dad's passing has left...but remember he did not leave really, he is jost gone on ahead, under the stars that shine far out to sea....and he and what he is and what you love in him will be part of you always. HUgs to all of you girls and all your family. Thank you so much for sharing with us all, and we will be with you.

Chris Gerlach
aka Adm Von Gerlach

patti · 08-08-09, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral Von Gerlach

Katie, i am glad you liked the picture of the Golden Gate, it came to me as a symbol of your dad's times at sea and i figured you all had lived in California, either up there or San Deigo both having sub bases..i have lived in both and grew up myself out there too, and know that pattern of moves, having moved 24 times before i was 21

Peggy, that was a very touching tribute to your mom, Margaret and our hearts to out to you and to her and all that you describe. Life is not always easy but it is always precious, and it is clear that your parents gave you all a full cargo of love, care and the best of values which all are the foundations of character.

If i could come i would but am recoving from a long series of operations...but your sharing with us and this chance to honour dad has uncovered in all of us i think a deep welling up of love and respect that we all feel, and we will be there in spirit for the serivce, and with you in the days, months and years ahead when you feel the void that your dad's passing has left...but remember he did not leave really, he is jost gone on ahead, under the stars that shine far out to sea....and he and what he is and what you love in him will be part of you always. HUgs to all of you girls and all your family. Thank you so much for sharing with us all, and we will be with you.

Chris Gerlach
aka Adm Von Gerlach

Chris,
thank you again for your kind words, I keep coming back to this site to read more about my Dad and find it so comforting in my loss.

Patti (Navy Junior #1)

Captain Nemo · 08-08-09, 03:44 AM

Rest in peace Captain Zeb Alford.

OneShot · 08-07-09, 03:17 AM

R.I.P. Sir

Growler · 08-07-09, 12:11 PM

Neal, my sincere condolences on the loss of a patriot and a friend.

[salute] Fair winds, and following seas, Capt. Alford. [/salute]

geosub1978 · 08-07-09, 12:18 PM

The loss of a submariner is a loss of our community!

Rest in peace Captain Zeb!!!

flag4 · 08-07-09, 12:38 PM

an extraordinary career, sounds like a man of great energy and persistence. my condolences to his family.

Flag4.

K Gunz · 08-07-09, 12:49 PM

I never knew this gentleman of the seas. I am sure he will be missed by many. Sympathy is expressed to those he leaves behind.

Dutch · 08-07-09, 07:01 PM

I never had the chance to meet Capt. Zeb Alford but from everything that I have seen here, I am assured that he was an excellent man. I wish I would have had a chance to meet him.

I pray that his friends and family will be comforted, I can't imagine the level of loss you guys are feeling. But my prayers are with you.

patti · 08-07-09, 07:06 PM

Well we finally have a date and time for the Memorial for my Dad.

the memorial will be at the 2nd Baptist Church in Houston and I will get the address or you can look it up on the net. The service will be at 10AM on August 21, 2009 and there will be a reception afterward.

I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible when we say our final good byes to Capt. Zeb

:salute :

Patti( Navy Junior #1)

08-07-09, 04:08 AM	#3
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Sorry to hear that. May he rest in peace. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

08-07-09, 01:55 PM	#4
Blacklight Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,507 Downloads: 142 Uploads: 0	Salute Rest in peace, Captain. __________________ Be my friend or be a mushroom cloud. "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes !"

08-08-09, 02:10 AM	#5
ichso Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Germany's oldest city alive Posts: 1,066 Downloads: 57 Uploads: 0	R.I.P. Zeb Alford __________________ My Subskins: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=164169

08-08-09, 03:14 AM	#6
Admiral Von Gerlach Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado and California Posts: 726 Downloads: 358 Uploads: 0	Katie, i am glad you liked the picture of the Golden Gate, it came to me as a symbol of your dad's times at sea and i figured you all had lived in California, either up there or San Deigo both having sub bases..i have lived in both and grew up myself out there too, and know that pattern of moves, having moved 24 times before i was 21 Peggy, that was a very touching tribute to your mom, Margaret and our hearts to out to you and to her and all that you describe. Life is not always easy but it is always precious, and it is clear that your parents gave you all a full cargo of love, care and the best of values which all are the foundations of character. If i could come i would but am recoving from a long series of operations...but your sharing with us and this chance to honour dad has uncovered in all of us i think a deep welling up of love and respect that we all feel, and we will be there in spirit for the serivce, and with you in the days, months and years ahead when you feel the void that your dad's passing has left...but remember he did not leave really, he is jost gone on ahead, under the stars that shine far out to sea....and he and what he is and what you love in him will be part of you always. HUgs to all of you girls and all your family. Thank you so much for sharing with us all, and we will be with you. Chris Gerlach aka Adm Von Gerlach __________________ Erlaubnis an Bord zu kommen.

08-08-09, 03:44 AM	#8
Captain Nemo Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 1,144 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	Rest in peace Captain Zeb Alford. __________________ "I'm afraid there is no disguising the fact that King's obsession with the Pacific and the Battle of Washington cost us dear in the Battle of the Atlantic". Sir John Slessor GCB, DSO, MC, DL AOC-in-C Coastal Command RAF ___________________________________________

08-07-09, 04:03 AM	#1
Admiral Von Gerlach Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado and California Posts: 726 Downloads: 358 Uploads: 0	I read with sadness of the passing of Capt Alford. A remarkable man, a consumate seaman, trusted and accomplished Captain, and I am sure, a fine shipmate to all who knew and loved him, as well as a beloved father and husband and freind. What a tribute to him as well, the posts by you four daughters, what finer tribute can a man have than to be loved by those he loved? To go to sea, and to be at sea on a tour of duty, a voyage, one is far from home, far from port, and far out under the sky commanded only by one's compass, and the Lord of the Waters. Each time, one never knows what may come, yet men like Capt Alford have folowed that duty with cheer, strong hearts and the courage and compassion that character brings. Reading the tale of his career one can sense behind and between the words the immense dedication, attention and care given, and a life lived fully. A life is like a voyage too, we are all of us far from the port that we were launched from, and none know when we may be called to make that final port of call. I had tears many times as i read these posts and thought of a life of duty and service and then folllowed by earnest and valiant additional work to help us all described here. I am only sorry i never will be able to meet this fine man. I am from a Naval family, and have been on two of Capt Alford's commands over past years, thought not I believe when he was in command. We are all here shipmates of a kind, and no better word describes the bonding and the fellowship that comes from service at sea and for shared goals and voyaging. Fair winds, Captain, and though you have departed on your final voyage from us here, out there in that vast Ocean none of us may know yet, you are surely sharing your voyage with shipmates and loved ones both in spirit from here and who may have also passed on that journey as well. I made a little picture of what i see as your final leave taking, a view I am sure you saw many times in the service.....and a wonderful last port of call to depart from...and to journey forth bearing so much love from those you leave behind your heart will be warmed forever and a day. Salute __________________ Erlaubnis an Bord zu kommen.

08-07-09, 04:06 AM	#2
Loud_Silence Planesman Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 193 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Rest In Peace

08-07-09, 03:17 AM	#9
OneShot Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 956 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	R.I.P. Sir __________________ All the things you always wanted to know about Dangerous Waters but never dared to ask!

08-07-09, 12:11 PM	#10
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Neal, my sincere condolences on the loss of a patriot and a friend. [salute] Fair winds, and following seas, Capt. Alford. [/salute] __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

08-07-09, 12:18 PM	#11
geosub1978 Samurai Navy Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Salamis Base Posts: 567 Downloads: 229 Uploads: 0	The loss of a submariner is a loss of our community! Rest in peace Captain Zeb!!! __________________

08-07-09, 12:38 PM	#12
flag4 Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Location: as far away as possible Posts: 1,625 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 0	an extraordinary career, sounds like a man of great energy and persistence. my condolences to his family. Flag4. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] ' We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different.' Kurt Vonnegut

08-07-09, 12:49 PM	#13
K Gunz Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 131 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	Very sad day: Capt. Zeb Alford passes away I never knew this gentleman of the seas. I am sure he will be missed by many. Sympathy is expressed to those he leaves behind. __________________ K Gunz (U-83)

08-07-09, 07:01 PM	#14
Dutch Sonar Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: United States Posts: 376 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	I never had the chance to meet Capt. Zeb Alford but from everything that I have seen here, I am assured that he was an excellent man. I wish I would have had a chance to meet him. I pray that his friends and family will be comforted, I can't imagine the level of loss you guys are feeling. But my prayers are with you. __________________ \"Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You, Ask What You Can Do For Your Country.\" President John F. Kennedy

08-07-09, 07:06 PM	#15
patti VIP Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: El Paso Posts: 28 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Patti Well we finally have a date and time for the Memorial for my Dad. the memorial will be at the 2nd Baptist Church in Houston and I will get the address or you can look it up on the net. The service will be at 10AM on August 21, 2009 and there will be a reception afterward. I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible when we say our final good byes to Capt. Zeb:salute : Patti( Navy Junior #1)