Rest Peacefully Michael Browning

[Spd 135]

The Service for Michael was last evening. The next part that is going to be planned has to do with his final wish. Michael wanted his ashes in a cave he loved. I only dived the Marianna / Panhandle rivers, area with him. He was very close with Larry Green and many over that way. Michael spoke about Crinoid Glory, at JB, fondly and also of many caves east that he loved. I don't know if it is an option for 2 places to be involved or not. For anyone who needs information, or wishes to offer assistance you can contact the family. Debbie Browning told me I can give her number out for anyone who wants to call. Email me at diverecoveries at charter.net and I will send it to you. Debbie said she would like to hear from Michael's friends and their memories. It is likely I will not be able to attend anything in Florida due to work and family obligations so I want to make sure anyone who can and will be involved gets pointed in the right direction. I miss you Michael.

[NACD]

At the request of Michael's wife, the NACD has established a fund in his memory. You may contribute to this fund by going to http://safecavediving.com/store/donations.html. At this time, we do not have a use for the funds but in the near future we will consult with Michael's family to determine what they think he would have wanted. Some examples of the use could be a cave scholarship, cave fund, or something else. As we have more information, we will let you know. In advance, thank you.

Safe diving,
Sandy Robinson
pr@safecavediving.com

[whodunit68]

At the request of Michael's wife, the NACD has established a fund in his memory.

That's awesome in light of a very sad event. though I don't know Michael, it sure is nice to see the agency do something so positive. It will probably help to identify a use as some people want to see their money put to use in a certain way.

[sandy]

That's awesome in light of a very sad event. though I don't know Michael, it sure is nice to see the agency do something so positive. It will probably help to identify a use as some people want to see their money put to use in a certain way.

Than you whodunit68. As soon as we talk with Michael's family regrarding the use, we will ley all know. Thanks again.

Safe Diving,

Sandy Robinson
pr@saecavediving.com

[Gene Powell]

I'm embarrassed to say that I just learned of this a few days ago. I've been on vacation in the mountains, and unintentionally hard to contact. I was finally tracked down by one of his students, who is also a mutual friend(thanks Alana). I met Michael in 2002 when we took apprentice with Mike O'leary. I had logged close to a hundred cave dives back in the seventies and early eighties, but wasn't cave certified. Mike was a veteran open water instructor with thousands of OW dives logged. We were complete opposites in just about every way. By the time Mike O'leary finished with us, we did share a few things. A Full cave card, a new found sense of mortality, and a shared respect for each others abilities. We have been diving together ever since, and have logged hundreds of cave dive in many different systems. When he moved to Slidell, we started meeting in Marianna, and Made many dives in the area. As mark mentioned, Crenoids' Glory was a favorite.
We also learned How to take underwater cave photos together. We spent many hours in hotel rooms reviewing a days shoot, and then even more time figuring out what we did wrong, and how to overcome the particular issue at hand. I still have a few images I need to process! We had hopes of eventually getting back to our plans for "Wet Rocks Productions", and our cave photography, but logistics, Family, and health made it increasingly hard for me. I now wish I had made More of an effort to meet him when he made it this way. I dove with Him the weekend before he passed, and I am so thankful that I was able to do that.
I've Spoken to his wife Debbie, and Daughter Kirby, and both are adjusting. I guess I will too.
There is going to be a memorial service at Ginny on June 8th. I have attended too many of these lately, and this will be the hardest.
Thanks for the years buddy! Go ahead and get the primary laid. I'll get there one day, but you know me! I'll probably be late!

[TONY CHANEY]

Very nice words Gene. It would be nice to see some of those pictures. Take care and sorry for your and the family's lost.

[WEPIV]

Yes, Gene, well put and your description of your Wet Rocks Prods. idea, and spending hours going over your photos post shooting certainly hit home with me.
I'm very sorry...

Gene

[sharksteeth1]

Michael and I met through a dive shop in Slidell,la in 2005 He was an ow instr. and i was a dive master. We have had so many great dives together. I can honestly say I would not be a cave diver if it were not for him. He pushed me to be a better diver, and I learned so much from him. Along the way we made some awesome memories and developed a hell of a friendship. Michael's last dive was with me at JB, we scootered to the trash room, which is funny cause I totally thought he was full of #### when he said yeah it s full of trash.... it was a great day, a great dive, and I text him later to say thanks for getting me into this cave divin stuff.....honestly, I am sooo glad I got to say that to him...he was very special to me in that he took the time to always be there when I needed guidance in cave diving and in life....he was a great instructor and friend.

[KJM]

Michael and I met during our DPV cave course with Larry Green, the spring of 2003. I remember that weekend clearly, going through the drills and the skills, working through planned and unplanned scenarious. We instantly worked well together as a team during the course and enjoyed occassional dives together during those early years. In recent years we occasssionaly would bump into each other around the dive sites enjoying exchanging stories of our respective recent dives, talking about getting together for some more dives. Michael was a solid diver, naturally likeable guy, and one of those buddies where when you see each other it was just like yesterday, even if years have passed. I am so saddened to learn of his passing. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones, and all of us cave divers who have been honored to train, dive, and be trained by Michael. Keith Mille

[Gene Powell]

Thanks, guys. I will see if I can post a couple of pics That he shot.