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Few citizens have done more for their respective communities than the
"Old Man of the Sea." From AIDS awareness swims to anti-drug campaigns,
this pillar of society does what most take for granted, like simply picking
up refuse on the ocean floor.
Harry E. Hauck, A.K.A. the "Old Man of the Sea," has undeniably accomplished
a great number of spectacular feats in his lifetime and one would think
his name would be recognizable to anyone in Puerto Rico. Synonymous with
famed athletes and musicians, but his accomplishments are not for recognition
or gratuities, but to help humanity.
Hauck's diving career began in the United States Navy where he was one
of the famed "Frogmen" during the Korean War. After serving his time in
the military, to include a stint in Roosevelt Roads in Fajardo, he returned
home to achieve his degree in geology. While attending Wayne State University,
he was an All-American water polo player. He later went on to found the
Olympic Water Polo Team in Puerto Rico in 1964 and coach them in the Pan
Am Games in Cuba in 1971. Setting records is something Hauck has become
accustomed to. Achieving swimming records was not accomplished while in
his twenties, but rather over the age of fifty.
The Old Man of the Sea set his mind first at being the first person
to swim non-stop from St. Thomas to Fajardo, Puerto Rico. On a clear day,
you would be lucky to even see St. Thomas from the mountains of El Yunque,
let alone try to swim it. Hauck accomplished his goal at the age of 53
in 29 hours and 49 minutes. Quite an accomplishment for a man bearing down
on his golden years. This was only the beginning.
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The Hauck family became the first family in the world
to swim the English Channel, a 21 mile stretch, setting a World Record. |
Hauck retired from civil service with the Army where he was the Diving
Instructor for Fort Buchanan. He single handedly built the program from
scratch and has taught many soldiers and civilians in his time not only
the proper way to dive, but respect for where you dive.
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Hauck stands alongside the 17th century relic he discovered
off the city of Dorado, PR, and donaed to Fort Buchanan in 1988. |
Fort Buchanan boasts a number of relics around the installation. One
in particular, the cannon that sits in front of USAG HQ building, was discovered
off of the Northern coast of Puerto Rico and brought to shore by Hauck
with the help of his team of divers, many of which were soldiers and civilians
from Fort Buchanan. While an employee on Fort Buchanan, he received the
award for Environmental Citizen of the year from the EPA and was recognized
by the Secretary of the Army. Fort Buchanan set the stage for Hauck's next
accomplishment, swimming an anti-drug crusade around the entire island
of Puerto Rico at the age of 60. The Fort Buchanan community supported
Hauck during his attempt in 1998 and he finished in 36 days. Another 1st
to add to the list.
There isn't enough text in the pages of El Morro to list Hauck's accomplishments;
we have only touched on a few.
Revisiting one of Fort Buchanan's former employees emphasizes not only
the impact on which Hauck has had on the local community, but also that
of Fort Buchanan. Hauck was a pioneer in building the long-standing relationship
the installation enjoys with the community and if a Fort Buchanan Hall
of Fame existed, he would be one of the first inductees. He continues doing
Ocean Clean-Up and Awareness around the island and is always recruiting
volunteers willing to sacrifice their time for the food of humanity. He
can be reached at (787) 780-2497.
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