Roger Revelle Award

The Roger Revelle Perpetual Award is given annually to a San Diegan who has made a significant contribution to man's ability to coexist with the marine environment. It is intended to recognize not only scientists, but also individuals from academia, industry, the military, recreation and philanthropy who take the initiative in helping to resolve ocean issues and to encourage stewardship of ocean resources. The award is named for the late Dr. Roger Revelle, a past director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the impetus behind the founding of the University of California San Diego. More on Roger Revelle

The recipient's name is placed on the perpetual award. The trophy consists of a hand-carved wooden Garibaldi and associated habitat mounted on a pedestal trophy base. Internationally renowned marine artist Bob Berry carved the sea life sculpture.

H.P. "Sandy" Purdon 2007 Roger Revelle Recipient

The San Diego Oceans Foundation is pleased to award the 2007 Perpetual Roger Revelle Award to H.P. "Sandy" Purdon in recognition for his contributions in promoting ocean stewardship. His many years of involvement with the ocean has given Sandy Purdon a deep understanding of its importance to our way of life, and a strong commitment to lead community actions to preserve the quality of our ocean waters. Beginning with boyhood sailing in New England, he has spent a lifetime sailing in many classes of boats, both in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. One special accomplishment was a single-handed sail from San Diego to Hawaii in a 46-foot boat in 17 days, which brought over $300,000 in donations for the San Diego Regional Trauma Research and Education Foundation.

Sandy is living proof that someone can turn his passion into his livelihood, and use a marine business as a mechanism to make a difference in the world. Sandy has served for nine years on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Yacht Club, including one as Commodore, which increased his sense of responsibility for the quality of our local ocean waters. His service as Chairman of the San Diego Port Tenants Association and of the Marina Recreation Association of California intensified his dedication to advancing the concept of responsible use of our local waters. He now serves as Chairman of the State Commission on Boating and Waterways.

In 2004 Sandy started the Clean Marina California Program, which encourages marinas to voluntarily commit to implement proven Best Management Practices to minimize environmental impacts. In just three years the Clean Marinas California Program has certified 60 marinas. What makes California's program unique is that it is not run by the government; instead, it is industry-led. According to Sandy, "Individual boaters can help with these efforts by reading marina rules and regulations carefully to be sure they are adhering to those requirements the marina has outlined as important in the effort to be environmentally responsible…Boaters need to be conscience of what they put into the water while recreating on their boat and endeavor to return to port with all of one's waste products - without adding anything unnatural in our waters."

Previous Roger Revelle Honorees

2006 Mr. Dick Long
2005 Mrs. Leigh Taylor Johnson
2004 San Diego's Think Blue Team: Ernie Anderson, Karen Henry, Deborah Castillo
2003 Mr. John Robertus
2002 Captain, Charles Bishop (ret)
2001 Mr. James R. Stewart
2000 Dr. Walter H. Munk
1999 Dr. Andreas Rechnitzer
1998 Mr. Arthur DeFever
1997 Mr. Milton Shedd
1996 Dr. James Joseph
1995 Mr. Frank Powell
1994 Mr. F. Seth Brown
1993 Mr. Robert Fletcher
1992 Mr. Peter Seligman
1991 Dr. Joy Zedler
1990 Dr. John Hunter
1989 Dr. Edward Goldberg
1988 Dr. William Evans