T.R. "Buddy" Beiser

One of Mobile Bay’s inshore artificial fishing reefs has been named in honor of T. R. “Buddy” Beiser. The announcement was made by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and The Alabama Wildlife Federation at a dedication ceremony in Daphne on May 4, 2006.

Beiser, a resident of Fairhope, served as a combat pilot during World War II, earning high honors for his outstanding military service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and Distinguished Service Award. He later served with NASA as chief of quality control for the flight control computer aboard the Saturn 5 rocket used on the Apollo missions to the moon.

“Mr. Beiser served his country admirably during combat, and now he is serving the people of Alabama through his support of our reef building programs,” said Vernon Minton, Director of the Alabama Marine Resources Division. “His legacy will enhance our fishing heritage for generations.”

As a lifelong angler, Beiser values the inshore fishing opportunities of Mobile Bay and the years of enjoyment they have provided to him. He recognizes the benefits of the inshore artificial fishing reefs and their promise of great fishing for generations to come. In honor of his efforts and support to construct appropriate inshore reefs, a fishing reef has officially been named the T. R. “Buddy” Beiser Reef.

“We appreciate Mr. Beiser’s enduring interest in fishing the waters of Mobile Bay,” added Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley. “His generosity and support of our artificial reef program will assure that future anglers will enjoy great fishing for years to come.”

"Fishing in the Mobile Bay area has been a lifelong passion for Mr. Beiser, and he's doing what we at the AWF would like to see all sportsmen and women do -- he's become actively involved in ensuring future generations have the same opportunities he did," said Tim Gothard, Executive Director of the AWF. "It's our honor to work with him and the Department on this project and our hope that the passion Mr. Beiser has for this undertaking will inspire others to get involved as well."

For more information on how you can help or to make a donation, contact AWF at 800-822-9453 or visit AWF's website at www.alabamawildlife.org.

Information on Alabama’s artificial reef program is available on the department’s website, www.outdooralabama.com. For information on how you can help with the reef program, contact Vernon Minton at 251-861-2882.

***AWF would like to thank Rob Berglin Catering for providing the complimentary BBQ lunch for the event.
Rob Berglin Catering in Fairhope, AL- phone: 251.928.2134

To see more pictures of this event visit Click here: Ceremony for the naming of the Upper Bay Fishing Reef Photo Gallery by Paul Beiser at pbase.com