Midshipman Ronnie Brinkley
Summer of 1973. Ronnie Brinkley was scheduled to report to the U.S. Naval Academy. He came back to his adirondack to find all of his gear GONE!
Ronnie, ever the good detective, eventually looked out onto the James River. There
in the distance he saw an anchored rowboat complete with footlocker and trunk.
He had a couple of choices: swim out and retrieve the boat or ask for another boat
to retrieve his stuff. Peter Havens, Waterfront Director, told Ronnie he'd gladly loan
him a craft as long as Ronnie agreed to fulfill all the Coast Guard requirements.
Outiftted with a child's life vest, a canoe paddle and in a square prowed rowboat,
Ronnie paddled out into the river and did retireve his stuff. The entire escapade
was photographed and the Pranksters, led by Pat Tillotson herself, smiled in glee!
Ronnie did report for duty, although somewhat waterlogged.
Ronnie Brinkley
And where is Ronnie now?
Ronnie
Hi Julie! I googled Ron and saw he was Commanding Officer of the Navy Surface Warfare School in Newport, RI in 2003. I don't know anything else, although Bart Tuthill says he's seen him once or twice over the years. Let me know if you find him.
Gary Bulmer