Henry C. Halboth Jr. crossed the bar in commencement of his last voyage Feb. 17, 2021, in Durham, North Carolina, in the firm belief that he was embarking on the greatest adventure of all. Henry was born Feb. 22, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, the only son of the late Henry C. and Irene Cavanaugh Halboth.
Prior to relocating to Durham in 1999, he had resided in Brooklyn, Norfolk, Virginia, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Newark, Jacksonville, Florida, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Rumson in the course of a long and varied career in the marine industry, as well as in service of his country. While Henry enjoyed his years in Durham, he always missed his little white house with the sailboats in the shutters on Bingham Avenue in Rumson.
Henry was predeceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Saling Halboth, Dec. 18, 2014. He is survived by his son Charles Halboth (Sharon) of Yardley, Pennsylvania, and daughter Suzanne Halboth Graham (John) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was known as Poppop to his grandchildren: Allison DeLaurentis (Chris), Sandra Halboth, Matthew Graham (Angela), Laura Graham (Ken), and Rebecca Graham; and great-grandchildren Evan and Mia DeLaurentis.
Capt. Halboth was a graduate of the New York State Merchant Marine Academy, a licensed shipmaster, oceans and tonnage unlimited, and was employed for some 60 years in the marine industry. He was a 30-year veteran of the United States Navy Reserve, a Merchant Marine veteran of World War II, and an active duty Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. In addition to his naval service, he had been a ship’s officer in the employ of the American South African Line, a marine surveyor with the United States Salvage Association, and a shipmaster and salvage master in the employ of the Merritt Chapman and Scott Corporation, all of New York City, prior to founding his own corporation of Marine Surveyors and Consulting Ship Salvors in Jersey City in 1970.
During his active duty service with the U.S. Navy, Capt. Halboth attended and graduated from the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center with certifications as a salvage officer and salvage diver, thereby acquiring a lifelong interest in salvage work, both military and commercial, which he diligently pursued during the remainder of his career. Due to his efforts, over 100 ships of every description were successfully refloated and ultimately returned to service. As a commercial salvage master he pioneered the application of technical principles to the work at hand and was considered as expert in the use of compressed air for salvage purposes.
Henry was long active in the Masonic Fraternity. Originally a member of Duval Lodge No. 159 in Jacksonville, Florida, he was also a member of Durham Lodge No. 352; a 50-year member, past Master and past secretary of Navesink Lodge No. 9 in Red Bank; and a past District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. After relocation to Durham, he became active in EMS affairs and served as an EMS volunteer with the Lebanon Fire and Rescue organization, as well as continuing his other interests.
He had been for many years a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Rumson, and the First Presbyterian Church in Red Bank. In Durham he was an active member of the Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church and later regularly attended services at the Croasdaile Village Interfaith Chapel.
A private burial will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham.
The article originally appeared in the March 11 – 17, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
