The award inspired me to reflect on the achievements of this remarkable man. In fact, when I caught up with Tony at the ceremony his first comment was, "Quenton, I just found a picture of you and me with Garry Mauro." Mauro was Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office in the late 1980s. So, I've known Tony for a few decades and his home base has always been the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas. When he arrived on campus with substantial credentials as an explorer/scientist of Antarctica, having someone with his resume of oceanographic research in Antarctica living in balmy Port Aransas on the South Texas coast was a novelty. His British accent, unruly hair, bushy beard, and gentle ways added to his unique persona. He soon became a much sought after luncheon speaker for civic clubs within a 100-mi radius, and I doubt he ever declined a request to entertain with stories of the places he has explored.
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