On March 21, and September 22, 1974, Captain
Edwin H. Pagenhart and Captain Clement L. 
Garner
celebrated their respective 90th birthdays. On January 5, 1975,
this year, Captain Pagenhart passed away in Eugene, Oregon.
Captain Pagenhart joined the Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1904
as an aid after attending the University of Minnesota. He had
served on the Ship MATCHLESS, and was Commanding Officer of
the Ship ROMBLON, operating in the Philippines in 1907 when
he was at the ripe age of 23. The following letter in the Pagenhart
file is interesting when compared to similar business today:
One signed by O.H. Tittman, Superintendent, Coast and Geodetic
Survey and dated November 22, 1904, reads as follows:
"The
probationary period of Mr. Edwin H. Pagenhart, aid at $720 per
annum, will expire November 27th. As Mr. Pagenhart's services
have been satisfactory, I have the honor to request that his
appointment be made absolute."
This letter was addressed directly to, and replied to favorably
by the then Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Captain Pagenhart
continued his service through the grades of Assistant by 1907,
Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineer by 1917, Lieutenant Commander
by 1920, and then retired as a Captain in 1937. His total service
of over 36 years included 4 years of recall duty as San Francisco
District Officer during World War II. During World War I, Captain
Pagenhart was assigned with the Office of the Chief of Engineers,
War Department.
Captain Pagenhart served on several ships and field parties
throughout the United States and the Philippine Islands; was
Director of the Survey in the Philippines; and when he retired
in 1937, he had served several years as Chief, Chart Division
in the Washington Headquarters. Another letter from the Director,
Coast and Geodetic Survey to the Secretary of Commerce laid
the groundwork for the Pagenhart retirement. It read:
"Referring
to my recommendation dated November 23, 1936, regarding the
application of E.H. Pagenhart, hydrographic and geodetic engineer
with the relative rank of Captain in the Navy, for retirement,
it is requested that the retirement of Captain Pagenhart become
effective beginning February 1, 1937, inasmuch as he has 32
days, 2 hours, and 30 minutes of unused leave available at the
present time and he desires to use this leave prior to the date
on which he begins the inactive status."
The request was granted.
Captain Pagenhart is survived by his wife Jessie, in Eugene,
Oregon, a son, Thomas of Castro Valley, California, two daughters,
Polly Patton of Eugene and Emily Ann West of Davis, California.
NOAA Corps Bulletin 1975
