Boaters Lose Friend, Advocate in Randy Cummings

Randall S. Cummings, a long-time boating safety advocate, educator, and member of the Oregon State Marine Board, died Thursday, August 10, in Portland, after a long struggle with cancer. He was 51.

Cummings, of Tygh Valley, was first appointed to the Marine Board in 1987 and served two consecutive terms through 1995. He was re-appointed to the Marine Board in 1999. His interest in boating was extensive - he served as treasurer for the National Safe Boating Council and was a member of the National Boating Federation. He was past president of the Oregon Federation of Boaters, Inc., and served as chairman of the organization's board of directors. He was a certified U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Master of Motor and Sailing Vessels to 100 tons. As a member of the U.S. Power Squadron, he taught boating safety through the Columbia Gorge Community College and was an advisor to the Sea Scouts Program, a division of Boy Scouts of America.

"He was dedicated to boating safety and was passionate about boating," said Marine Board Director Paul Donheffner. "He has been a key player in Oregon and the nation for many years and was always a strong, reasoned voice for boater education. He will be missed."

Marine Board chair Nancy Hungerford offered her own thoughts: "He was an extremely conscientious member of the board and he contributed so much," said Hungerford. "When he came back on the board last year I was really delighted. He was a great human being, a real mentor to me."

Cummings graduated from The Dalles High School in 1967 and Cerritos College, California, in Business Management in 1975. He had worked as a diving coordinator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District since 1985.

Marine Board members are appointed by the governor and serve four-year terms. The Board sets agency policy, approves access and facility grants and other funding issues, adopts administrative rules and directs staff on key boating issues such as safety education and law enforcement.

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