Service Record

From

To

Promoted

Master

1963


Elizabeth Bowater

Master

3/1964

10/1964

Constance Bowater

Master

1/1965

10/1965

Transferred

Bowater New York

1966


Died

13 February 2004

Aged 72

Capt Alasdair W B Chalmers


Obituary - 2004

Captain Alasdair W.B. Chalmers, 72, retired from the British Merchant Service, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2004, at his home in Friendship, Maine.

Born on April 11, 1931, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, he was the son of Alexandrina (Blyth) and Peter A. L. Chalmers. He was educated at George Watson's Boys' College and graduated from Leith Naval College in Leith, Scotland. He began his maritime career with Furness, Withy & Co., earning the Furness Prize in 1952 for being an "outstanding" cadet.

Captain Chalmers spent his seafaring career with Furness and the Bowater Steamship Company, ultimately serving as Master of the Bowater flagship, the S.S. Nicolas Bowater. He was also a licensed Great Lakes Pilot. In 1966, he transitioned to a shore-based role with the Bowater Paper Company in New York City, where he met and married his wife, Marilyn. Over the years, he held various positions in sales and marine operations, retiring in 1993 as Manager of Materials Handling. His work took him across the globe.

He was a charter member of the Kirkcaldy Round Table and served on the board and as a governor of the St. Andrews Society of Maine. He was also active in the Propeller Club and several trade organizations. A man of diverse interests, he was deeply passionate about history—especially World War I—and held a pilot’s license for small aircraft. He also enjoyed golf and cherished the companionship of his dogs.

Captain Chalmers was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Peter M. "Pat" Chalmers.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Engle Chalmers of Friendship, Maine; sister-in-law Anna Bonneau and her husband, Bob, of Beechwood, N.J.; brother-in-law Bruce Engle and his wife, Dianne, of Mansfield, Ohio; sister-in-law Vi Chalmers of Scotland; his beloved cousin Peter Chalmers, whom he regarded as a brother, along with cousins Norman and Barbara Chalmers, all of Scotland. He is also survived by three nieces in Scotland and three nieces and a nephew in the United States.

In accordance with his wishes, Captain Chalmers' ashes will be scattered in the North Atlantic.

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