Diving Industry Mourns the Loss of Diving Pioneer Al Tillman

Al Tillman, Diving Pioneer, passed away on Friday, January 16th. It was his 76th birthday.

Al’s history reads like the history of the diving industry. In 1954 Al, along with Bev Morgan, developed one of the first diving courses designed for the public through Los Angeles County. The LA County program quickly became the template for subsequent programs. In 1957 Al and Zale Parry organized the first International Underwater Film Festival, and in 1958 Al became involved (in front of and behind the cameras) with Sea Hunt, the legendary diving show that became a driving force behind bringing new divers to the sport. In 1960 Al, along with Neal Hess, Columnist and Director of the of the National Diving Patrol for Skin Diver Magazine, with help from Garry Howland and John Jones, created the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)*. Tillman adapted the Los Angeles County course to be taught to individuals from any diving venue and NAUI became the first international certification agency. Most recently Al co-wrote Scuba America with Zale Parry.

Al had been in the hospital since January 6th. He is survived by his wife Pat, daughter Laura Tillman, and son Tom Tillman. Al will leave a void in his family's life, the diving community and others.

Zale Parry, friend and colleague said of Al: “As a long time literary friend and co-author, I will miss him greatly. But I want all of you to know that Al prepared me well for this time in the journey of life. Phone calls and letters from him encouraged me. He had a premonition that his journey was coming to an end. He struggled to retrieve his strength. His last letter dated January 1st that arrived the 5th (day before his cerebral accident) in part said, ‘Keep writing Scuba America – it keeps me inspired. I'm getting better and working hard but it's a slow process.’"

There will be no public memorial. Private services for family had not been scheduled at this writing.

Cards and good wishes can be sent to:

Pat McKenney Tillman (Mrs. Albert Tillman), 2314 Dover Drive, Anacortes WA 98221-2922

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tillman and family, 131 Bond Mill Road, Olga WA 98279
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NAUI Co-Founder, Albert Tillman, Dies at Age 76

from NAUI

Dive Pioneer, Author, Educator and Industry Leader for 65 Years

TAMPA, FLORIDA (19 January 2004) - The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) is saddened to announced that co-founder and NAUI Instructor #1, Albert Alvin "Al" Tillman, died on 16 January in Seattle, Washington of a cerebral hemorrhage. Tillman is survived by his wife, Patricia, his children, Thomas and Laura, and four grandchildren.

TAMPA, FLORIDA (19 January 2004) - The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) is saddened to announced that co-founder and NAUI Instructor #1, Albert Alvin "Al" Tillman, died on 16 January in Seattle, Washington of a cerebral hemorrhage. Tillman is survived by his wife, Patricia, his children, Thomas and Laura, and four grandchildren.

A native of Los Angeles, Tillman began free diving at the age of 10 and was actively involved in free diving, scuba diving and dive education until his death. Tillman and fellow diver, Hans Hass, formed NAUI Worldwide in 1959 as the first international scuba diving certification and training agency; Tillman continued to run the agency part-time until 1969.

"Al will be greatly missed," said Mark Flahan, Chairman, NAUI Worldwide Board of Directors. "Al was a pioneer in our industry and a special friend to NAUI. His intrepid spirit and dedication to our Association typified the strong bond still shared among our members. Al was an inspiration to divers for decades and I was honored to have had him as a friend." In addition to receiving numerous awards and recognition throughout his career, Tillman received the NAUI Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAUI 40th Anniversary in 2000.

"Al Tillman played a vital role in NAUI's early successes," said Jim Bram, President, NAUI Worldwide. "Al made enormous contributions to both the sport and science of scuba diving. His dedication to the organization and lifelong search for knowledge helped position NAUI as an industry leader. His passing is a huge loss to the entire dive community."

Tillman attended the University of Southern California where he earned his undergraduate degree in Public Administration, served in World War II in the Pacific Theater, and subsequently attended graduate school at both USC and Loyola University. In 1953, Tillman and Los Angeles County Lifeguard, Bev Morgan, designed the first organized public classes in skin and scuba diving, and implemented the first ever instructor certification courses the following year. The Los Angeles County program continues as one of the most rigorous instructor programs in the world.

In 1955, Tillman became a Professor at California State University in Los Angeles, where he founded the first college scuba diving club in the United States. In 1957, Tillman, with fellow future NAUI member and diver, Zale Parry, produced and directed the International Underwater Film Festivals that honors outstanding underwater photographers and their underwater films. In 1966, Tillman moved to Freeport, Bahamas, where he established UNEXSO, the world's first dedicated diving resort.

Tillman was recognized for his achievements in the fields of diving and recreation many times. In 2001, Tillman was one of the inaugural inductees into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame along with other pioneer divers such as Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Hans Hass, Sylvia Earle and Canadian Underwater Photographer, Jack McKinney.

Over the course of his lifetime, Tillman wrote several books on diverse topics such as art, book collecting, recreation and diving. Tillman was also technical advisor for television and film stories that related to diving and wrote several scripts for television shows such as "Sea Hunt". Tillman was an award-winning underwater photographer and filmmaker with numerous magazine covers and international awards. A private family service took place and the family requested that no cards or flowers be sent.
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Los Angeles County remembers a man of firsts - Al Tillman

from Los Angeles County's Website

Al Tillman, the developer of Los Angeles County's recreational diver education program and co-founder of NAUI, passed away January 16 in Seattle Washington of complications from a cerebral hemorrhage suffered January 6. He was 76.

Al was long recognized as a founding father of recreational dive training in the United States, developing the first public skin and scuba diver program for Los Angeles County in 1954. This visionary program, co-developed with Bev Morgan, arose when Al brought to the County's attention the need to provide safe training for the rapidly growing numbers of people exploring the field of recreational skin and scuba diving. As a result, Al was the driving force in the development of both the worlds first Public Training Agency and Underwater Instructor Certification Course (1UICC), models upon which all training in the dive industry would be based.

In 1960, Al and Neal Hess took the next step in evolution of dive training when they formed the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI). Al served as President and Hess as Executive Secretary in this innovative attempt to bring standardized dive training practices to a nation-wide audience clamoring for a safer and more effective way to learn to dive.

Diving remained a passion for Al throughout the decades that followed. With his teaching, the publication of many cornerstone diving texts, and the development of numerous other projects, including the creation UNEXSO in Freeport Grand Bahamas Island in 1965, Al remained a pioneer.

Al's last appearance at a Los Angeles County event was at the Annual UICC banquet in April 2000, when he was presented with the Conrad Limbaugh Award for his lifetime of contributions to the County.

To say Al Tillman was a dive program developer is an understatement, especially to those of us who carry an LA County card. From the day he became LA County Underwater Instructor # 1, he was a pioneer, innovator, visionary, educator, inspiration, and even a hero. His work was groundbreaking and has made the path for all who followed in his footsteps over these past 50 years a much easier one. He managed to live his life continually looking for the next challenge and set the bar so high many of us will be lucky if we ever see it.
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Albert Tillman, 76; Scuba Teacher Helped to Popularize Diving

from Los Angeles Times

PASSINGS

Albert Tillman, 75; Scuba Teacher Helped to Popularize Diving

From Times Staff and Wire Reports

January 21, 2004

Albert A. Tillman, 75, a pioneer in teaching and certifying scuba diving, died Friday in Seattle of unspecified causes.

A native of Los Angeles, Tillman started diving at age 10 and later took diving classes at the University of Hawaii while serving in the Army during World War II. Educated at USC, he took a diving course for scientists from Scripps Institute of Oceanography and in 1953 started Los Angeles County's first public classes in skin and scuba diving, soon adding instructor certification courses.

In 1955, Tillman joined the faculty at Cal State Los Angeles, where he created the first university degree program in recreation and leisure studies and wrote several of the discipline's first textbooks. He also founded the nation's first college scuba diving club. Tillman officially retired in 1984, but continued teaching part time until 1995.

As a contributing editor for Skin Diver Magazine in 1959, Tillman helped fellow editor Neal Hess establish the National Assn. of Diving Instructors, or NAUI, the first international scuba diving certification agency. He personally trained divers until the mid-1980s.

In 2000, he was one of the original inductees of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame along with Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
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Dive Industry Saddened by the Passing of Albert Tillman

from Deeper Blue

Deeper Blue January 22, 2004

Dive Industry Saddened by the Passing of Albert Tillman

Thursday Jan 22, 2004 @ 02:42

Submitted by DiveNewsWire

Albert Alvin Tillman, 76, co-founder of NAUI and the Los Angeles County instructor program passed away January 16 in Seattle, WA.

Albert Tillman was born in Los Angeles in 1928. At the age of 10 on the beach at Palos Verdes, CA, he took a pair of goggles and took his first plunge beneath the water. This initial plunge led to a 65 year life as a free diver and later a scuba diver and industry leader.

Tillman attended the University of Southern California where he earned his undergraduate degree in Public Administration while playing football for the USC Trojans. During World War II he was drafted and served in the Pacific Theater. Stationed in Hawaii he continued his diving and took classes at the University of Hawaii. After returning from the war he went to graduate school at USC and Loyola earning his tuition by working as a professional wrestler.

In 1949 he married his high school sweetheart Ruth McIntyre who preceded him in death in 1994. They had two children during their marriage, Laura and Thomas.

In 1952 he was Sports Director sent by Los Angeles County and proposed setting up public training for the new Aqua-Lung equipment that was quickly gaining popularity with fellow free divers. In 1953 he went to Scripps Institute of Oceanography with County Lifeguard Bev Morgan to take a course designed for scientists by Conrad Limbaugh. Tillman and Morgan took this basic template and designed the first organized public classes in skin and scuba diving. The following year they implemented the first instructor certification courses in the world. The Los Angeles County program continues as one of the most rigorous instructor programs in the world.

In 1955 Tillman went to work as a Professor at California State University in Los Angles. While there he created the first university degree program in recreation and leisure studies. He also started the first college scuba diving club in the United States.

In 1957 Tillman with Zale Parry produced and directed the International Underwater Film Festivals that closely mimicked the Cannes Film Festival by honoring outstanding underwater photographers and their underwater films.

In 1959 Tillman was working part-time as a contributing editor for Skin Diver Magazine. Working with fellow editor Neal Hess, they created NAUI, the first international scuba diving certification agency. Tillman ran the agency part-time until 1969 and continued actively training dive instructors for NAUI until the mid-1980's. NAUI continues to be one of the largest training agencies and maintains offices worldwide.

In 1966 Tillman took a sabbatical from teaching and moved to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. In Freeport he built UNEXSO, the world's first dedicated diving resort. In 1969 he sold UNEXSO and went back to teaching in California. UNEXSO remains one of the premier diving destinations even today.

In 1970 Tillman drove up the West Coast looking for a new location to build a diving resort. He ended up on Orcas Island looking at the possibility of purchasing Rosario Resort. While on Orcas he purchased a farm out in the Doe Bay Area. Over the years Tillman wrote books on diverse topics such as art, book collecting, recreation and diving.

Several more books are partially done and will be completed by long time friend and fellow diving pioneer Zale Parry and his son Thomas.

In 2001 Tillman flew to Grand Cayman Island to be one of the inaugural inductees into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame along with other pioneer divers such as Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Hans Hass, Sylvia Earle and Canadian Underwater Photographer Jack McKinney.

Tillman was recognized for his achievements in the fields of diving and recreation many times. Aside from his Hall of Fame induction he had earlier been one of the first inductees into the United States Hall of Fame as well as receiving lifetime achievement awards from diving agencies worldwide. Tillman was also technical advisor for television and film on stories that related to diving and even wrote several scripts for television shows such as Sea Hunt. Tillman was an award winning underwater photographer and filmmaker with numerous magazine covers and international awards.

Tillman is survived by wife Patricia of Anacortes, WA and her family, son Thomas Tillman and his wife Stephanie of Orcas Island, daughter Laura Winningham and her husband Jon of Anacortes. Albert also had four grandchildren, Zachery and Sabina Tillman of Orcas Island and Michael and Brandi Winningham of Anacortes.
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Albert Tillman, Dive Education Pioneer and Author, Dies at Age 76

from Rodale's Scuba Diving

Albert Alvin Tillman, 76, co-founder of NAUI and the Los Angeles County instructor program passed away January 16 in Seattle, Wash. A massive cerebral hemorrhage was the cause of death. A private family service is planned. There will be no public memorial service.

Albert Tillman was born in Los Angeles in 1928. At the age of 10 on the beach at Palos Verdes, Calif., he took a pair of goggles and took his first plunge beneath the water. This initial plunge led to a 65 year life as a free diver and later a scuba diver and industry leader.

Tillman attended the University of Southern California where he earned his undergraduate degree in Public Administration while playing football for the USC Trojans. During World War II he was drafted and served in the Pacific Theater. Stationed in Hawaii, he continued his diving and took classes at the University of Hawaii. After returning from the war he went to graduate school at USC and Loyola, earning his tuition by working as a professional wrestler.

In 1949 he married his high school sweetheart Ruth McIntyre who preceded him in death in 1994. They had two children during their marriage, Laura and Thomas.

In 1952 he was Sports Director of Los Angeles County and proposed setting up public training for the new Aqua-Lung equipment that was quickly gaining popularity with fellow free divers. In 1953 he went to Scripps Institute of Oceanography with County Lifeguard Bev Morgan to take a course designed for scientists by Conrad Limbaugh. Tillman and Morgan took this basic template and designed the first organized public classes in skin and scuba diving. The following year they implemented the first instructor certification courses in the world. The Los Angeles County program continues as one of the most rigorous instructor programs in the world.

In 1955 Tillman went to work as a Professor at California State University in Los Angles. While there he created the first university degree program in recreation and leisure studies. He also started the first college scuba diving club in the United States.

In 1957 Tillman with Zale Parry produced and directed the International Underwater Film Festivals that closely mimicked the Cannes Film Festival by honoring outstanding underwater photographers and their underwater films.

In 1959 Tillman worked part-time as a contributing editor for Skin Diver Magazine. Working with fellow editor Neal Hess, they created NAUI, the first international scuba diving certification agency. Tillman ran the agency part-time until 1969 and continued actively training dive instructors for NAUI until the mid-1980's.

In 1966 Tillman took a sabbatical from teaching and moved to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. In Freeport he built UNEXSO, the world's first dedicated diving resort. In 1969 he sold UNEXSO and went back to teaching in California.

In 1970 Tillman drove up the West Coast looking for a new location to build a diving resort. He ended up on Orcas Island looking at the possibility of purchasing Rosario Resort. While on Orcas he purchased a farm out in the Doe Bay Area. Over the years Tillman wrote books on diverse topics such as art, book collecting, recreation and diving.

Several more books are partially done and will be completed by long time friend and fellow diving pioneer Zale Parry and his son Thomas.

In 2001 Tillman was one of the inaugural inductees into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame on Grand Cayman, along with other pioneer divers such as Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Hans Hass, Sylvia Earle and Canadian underwater photographer Jack McKinney.

In addition to his Hall of Fame induction, he had earlier been one of the first inductees into the United States Hall of Fame and received lifetime achievement awards from diving agencies worldwide. Tillman was also technical advisor for television and film on stories that related to diving and wrote several scripts for television shows such as "Sea Hunt". Tillman was an award-winning underwater photographer and filmmaker with numerous magazine covers and international awards.

Tillman is survived by wife Patricia of Anacortes, Wash. and her family, son Thomas Tillman and his wife Stephanie of Orcas Island, daughter Laura Winningham and her husband Jon of Anacortes. Albert also had four grandchildren, Zachery and Sabina Tillman of Orcas Island and Michael and Brandi Winningham of Anacortes.