I was saddened to hear from Glenn Evans, Los Rocas chartermaster on the Royal Star, that my friend, crewman Sean Bickel, has died. I believe he served aboard the Star as engineer in recent times. I fished with Sean several times on long range boats, and regarded him as very knowledgeable and extremely willing to assist passengers in any way they asked. He was especially helpful to me in setting up memorable pictures, for which I will always be grateful. Here is the notice of Sean's passing, as it came to me by way of Glenn Evans.

Obituary


 "Bickel, Sean M., passed away on November 24, 2012 at his home. Sean was born March 23, 1975 to John and Pam Bickel in Brea, Calif. Sean attended Brea schools graduating from Brea-Olinda High School in 1993. Sean played football and baseball. Sean was the starting tailback his senior year. He was the first running back in many years to gain over 1,000 yards in a season. He also had a kickoff return of 101 yards and two punt returns for touchdowns. As a child, Sean learned to fish in the local streams and lakes, and on vacations in Arkansas, but preferred the ocean, even though he would get seasick. After high school, he went to San Diego and begged his way onto one of the long range fishing vessels, Red Rooster III. He aspired to run his own long range vessel one day, and earned his 100-ton operator's license in 2000. Sean spent the last 10 years working for Royal Star Sportfishing in San Diego. His knowledge and skills of fishing, the ocean, and the mechanical operation of Royal Star made him an integral member of the Royal Star team. Sean was admired and respected by many of his peers and fishermen. Besides his parents, Sean leaves two young sons, Jace and Blake, and their mother, Briana; his sister, Allison; his niece, Sydney; and nephew, Andrew. Services were held Saturday, December 8 at 11:00 a.m. at North Hills Church, 3100 E. Birch St. in Brea. In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Jace and Blake Bickel Memorial Trust. Donations can be made in their name to Chevron Credit Union, P.O. Box 2292, Brea, CA 92821-2292. Sean, of course, will be missed by many people."

Sean was featured on a South Coast Sportfishing magazine cover in February 2002. The cover blurb read, "Richard Hightower, assisted by Sean Bickel, took this choice tuna aboard Red Rooster III's outstanding 10-day trip to Alijos Rocks, The Ridge and the Potato Bank. See story page 30." The same shot, seen here above, was the cover photo for Bill Roecker's DVD "Ridge Running Aboard Red Rooster III." Many of us were grateful for Sean and his cheerful assistance, and we will surely miss him.