Petty Officer Third Class Keith Brubaker perished in the Grand Marais harbor on July 11, 1967.
The Cook County Historical Society Museum in Grand Marais will be hosting a dedication of a bronze memorial plaque on July 20 at 1 p.m. in honor of United States Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Keith Brubaker who lost his life in the Grand Marais Harbor on July 11, 1967.
Before coming to Station North Superior in Grand Marais with his wife (who was expecting their first child), Petty Officer Brubaker had served on the USCGC Bramble and at the Devils Island Light Station.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Brubaker was apparently killed after going into the harbor to clear some logs that were blocking the channel. In a U.S. Coast Guard personnel report on Wikipedia, it states: As he neared the break wall, alone in the boat, the boat was sent straight up into the air after it 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 daughter was born two months later.
Local Coast Guard veteran Ray Nagy and reservist Kevin Rofidal ME1, with the help of several others have worked to raise awareness and funds for the dedication of a plaque in honor of their fellow “Coastie.” The memorial will be part of the Maritime exhibit at the Cook County Historical Society Museum in Grand Marais.
The public is invited to attend this dedication ceremony.
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