Leejnd ,A back story Papeete, Tahiti,

[Sam Miller III]

leejnd- A back story Papeete, Tahiti,

Richard "Dick" Johnson was a local OC diver in the 1950s & 1960s. We belonged to a OC dive club and made a number of dives together
Dick received a BS in Bio from Cal poly Pomona and a masters at Long Beach state, where he became interested in sharks while studying under Dr Richard Murphy.

He was accepted at UCLA for the doctoral program for a doctorate in Ichthyology concentrating on shark behavior. During one of the many trips to the south pacific and especially Tahiti he met his second wife, Chantal.

He dropped out of the UCLA Doctoral Program and settled in Papeete where he opened a very modern dive operation.

He authored a very definitive book titled "Sharks of Polynesia." ISBN981-1204-115X, paper back 168 pages. Every time I was in Tahiti his book was displayed in all the dive operations and many stores.

Did you happen to purchase the book or meet Dick or Chantal on your visit? . Or obtain his book?

Dick now in the golden years, he did well in Tahiti. He is now possibly retired or diving in that big reef in the sky.


SDM

 

[drbill]

Dick received a BS in Bio from Cal poly Pomona and a masters at Long Beach state, where he became interested in sharks while studying under Dr Richard Murphy.

Will be spending a little time next month with "Murph" (Dr. Richard Murphy) and Jean-Michel Cousteau out here on the island. "Murph" is quite a guy (as is JMC)... known him since the mid 70s.

 

[Sam Miller III]

I was unaware that Dick Murphy was still amoung the walking-- has to be getting "on in AGE" ..

I suspect he can up date you about Dick Johnson who is also in his 70s..please post an update..

SDM

 

[drbill]

Not only is Murph among the walking... he still surfs and dives and does yoga.