In attendance at the dedication of a plaque honoring Petty Officer Keith Brubaker who perished in the Grand Marais harbor in 1967, were (L-R) BM3 Justin Abbott, BM3 Erik Soderman, Coast Guard Reservist Ray Nagy, SN Chris Impagliazzo, BM3 Max Wienke, Sandra Brubaker Blacklodge, SN Megan Johnson.
The Cook County Historical Society hosted a poignant gathering on Monday, July 20, in memory of United States Coast Guard Engineman 1st Class, Keith Brubaker who lost his life in the Grand Marais Harbor on July 11, 1967.
After an honor guard from the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a flag ceremony, Historical Society Director Carrie McHugh welcomed those in attendance and gave a brief explanation of the circumstances surrounding Brubaker’s death. She read that Brubaker was apparently killed after going into the harbor to clear some logs that were blocking the channel. As he neared the breakwall, alone in the boat, the boat presumably struck one of these logs. Brubaker was thrown from the small boat and struck his head on either the boat or a log as he fell into the water. He was knocked unconscious and drowned.
Attempts to rescue him failed, but his body was recovered the next morning.
Keith Brubaker was laid to rest in Troy, Michigan with full military honors. His wife gave birth to their only child, a daughter, four months later.
A bronze memorial plaque will be on display at the Cook County Historical Museum in memory of Petty Officer/Engineman1st Class Keith Brubaker.
McHugh introduced local Coast Guard veteran, Ray Nagy, who, she said had worked tirelessly to see that Brubaker was honored. Nagy said he hadn’t worked alone, noting that Coast Guard reservist Kevin Rofidal ME1, as well as a number of other shipmates and community members had contributed to the effort.
A major donor was Brubaker’s wife, Sandra Brubaker Blacklodge, who was at the dedication. Nagy asked if she wanted to speak and she did, simply noting that the experience was a nightmare. She married again and had a second daughter eight years later. “Life goes on,” she said, adding, “But I really appreciate this.”
Another Coast Guard wife who lived in Grand Marais at that time also spoke. Mary Rademacher Harrelson said she was pleased to see that the Coast Guard and the community were remembering the men (noting they were all men at that time) who “kept all the lights going.”
BM3 Max Wienke spoke for the Coast Guard contingent at the event explaining the expansive area for which the North Superior Station (Grand Marais) is responsible. He said the North Superior Station responds as far as the Canadian border and Isle Royale and down the shore to Silver Bay. He noted that Lake Superior is considered the most dangerous of all the Great Lakes.
Nagy then presented the sturdy bronze plaque commemorating Brubaker’s service to McHugh, who said it would be displayed in a place of honor in the maritime exhibit.
The dedication ceremony ended, but all lingered a while to visit; to compare notes of Coast Guard boats and procedures past and present and to remember a young man lost.
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