Coast Guard Response Operations Ashore Insignia ME1 Taylor Andersen CAPT Christopher Anderson MST1 Grace Andes MST2 Kevin Chan BMCS Patrick Davis LT Adam Deussing ME2 Joshua Dutra MST1 Andrea Heming MST2 Meghan Kies ME1 Michael Lubanski MEC Michael Nishikawa CDR Kristopher Nolan LCDR William Rapoza Coast Guard Prevention Operations Ashore Insignia MST1 Katherine Andreozzi MSTC Thomas Doran LT Stephanie Halvis MST1 Adam Rice ENS Loanna Torrance Taps Rear Adm. Bob Merrilees, 85, of Merritt Island, Florida, passed away Nov. 18, 2023. He was born July 25, 1938, to George and Ann Merrilees in Framingham, Massachusetts, and graduated from American University in Washington D.C. He enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve in 1961 as a radioman and received his commission in 1964. In 1967, he and his wife Beverly were transferred by NASA from Washington, D.C. to the Kennedy Space Center in Port Canaveral, Florida. He initially served as a budget analyst, and in 1994, he became the community relations officer for NASA. He retired from NASA in 1998 after 38 years. During his career in the Coast Guard Reserve, he commanded several major organizations, including Coast Guard Reserve Group Miami, Coast Guard Reserve Group Jacksonville, Seventh Coast Guard District Reserve Inspection Team, and Coast Guard Reserve Unit Station Port Canaveral. In 1980, at the start of the NASA Space Shuttle Program he was asked, because of his experience, to plan and lead the Coast Guard Reserve’s Space Shuttle Launch Support Program. He retired as a flag officer in 1994. Admiral Merrilees was very active in the community, serving in many organizations including the Red Cross, the Navy League, the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and Propeller Club. He was elected to serve as the National President of the 75,000 member Reserve Officers Association (now known as the Reserve Organization of America) in 2003. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, his brother- and sister-in-law, Jerry and Mary Dean, and nephews Ryan (Jessica) and Bruce (Rhonda). Capt. Michael "Mike" Price, 69, of Stafford, Virginia, passed away Nov. 4, 2023. A native of Indiana, Mike was the son of Michael and Janie Price. After high school, he graduated from Old Dominion University and enlisted in the Coast Guard. Price attended Officers Candidate School and retired as a captain. He enjoyed traveling, politics, Early American art, Civil War reenactments, and being in nature. He was a volunteer for many organizations, and an eager tour guide who shared his knowledge of any area with visitors. Price collected models, antiques, books, old maps and naval equipment. He loved to hike, bike, and camp, and he had a special place in his heart for animals, especially cats. Survivors include his friends, Art and Marlene Hines, Tom and Dee Cox, and Jo Morgan. Fair winds and following seas, shipmates. Issue 4 • 2023 . Reservist 39 Celebrating Celebrating 70 70 years of the Reservist years of the Reservist
