Missing boat operator identified

A celebration of life service is planned for Wednesday for University of Alaska professor Chuck Craig, who has been missing since Thursday, when his 16-foot skiff was found unoccupied.

Glen Charles Craig, 65, better known as Chuck Craig, went out in his 16-foot skiff on Thursday, May 17. It was found unoccupied Thursday afternoon with only his driver’s license on board.

Craig is presumed missing at sea.

The skiff has been returned to Craig’s family.

The public is invited to the service Wednesday May 23 at 1p.m.

The motor was still running when the boat was found Thursday afternoon in Favorite Channel north of Tee Harbor.

The Coast Guard searched with a 25-foot boat and an H-60 helicopter for over five hours before suspending the search Thursday evening. At least one private vessel assisted in the search.

Juneau Police Lieutenant Dave Campbell says Craig’s driver’s license was found in the skiff, but police do not suspect foul play.

Campbell says Craig worked as an instructor for the University of Alaska-Southeast’s diesel marine program.

Craig is a tenured associate professor and head of the diesel technology program, according to a short biography published on the UAS website He worked in the diesel engine field for about 50 years.

“(Craig) grew up here in Juneau living on a vessel that had twin Detroit Diesel engines. He has spent the majority of his working life in the diesel machine & diesel marine field. Chuck worked for 15 years at N C Machinery Company before he joined UAS in the diesel program in 1995.”

The biography also notes that in 2000 “Chuck was selected as the Professor of the Year for Alaska by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.”

 

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