An article in the Cape Cod Times gave Jeff the idea that his father’s ring could be found but he took a few weeks to get around to asking for help in finding the Star Ring. A call was finally made and of course I agreed to search for the ring. Unfortunately, weather, tides and obligations prevented the usual rapid response to a call for help. Then rotator cuff surgery and an Alaskan vacation put the search off for another two months until a meeting and the search began.
Saturday morning was beautiful, the sun was out, the seas were calm, the temperature was in the high 70s and my grandson, Dakota, wanted to help on his third search. We met Jeff on the main road and then traveled another quarter mile down a dirt path to a parking lot that could accommodate for four cars. Our gear was downed. A short conversation explained our gear and the area where the ring was most likely lost before the search began. I chose to “go deep” while Dakota would search the shallower waters. I made an end pass then turned right to start the search parallel to the beach.
About 100 feet down the beach I heard a faint signal and started to dig when my detector gave off another, stronger signal. Two more scoops in the original target’s area did not reveal the target and the signal “disappeared”. I then scooped at the second signal. I lifted the scoop from the water, a clump of clay parted, and a tarnished glitter of gold shown for the first time in over three years. The slightly golden glitter was my first sense of pleasure that surged when I saw the brilliant white star in the sky blue sapphire. This was the object of the search.
A short walk to Jeff who just could not believe he had the Star Ring back on his finger. A very Happy Ending with a Smile worthy of posting as another find for the RingFinders!
A few excerpts from Jeff’s communications follow:
I read your article {Lord of the Rings – see my other postings for the link} above which prompted me to call Rick Browne in March or April 2013 to help me find a special ring owned by my father given to me by my mother after my father died. I had lost it scalloping in West Falmouth Harbor with 2 close friends at least 3 years ago. Rick found it for me on Sunday morning w/ his grandson, Dakota, in 10 minutes. What an incredible family/guy. Thanks for running the story it led to a very happy reunion with my father’s ring and I got to meet a really great guy who is helping people in a unique way here on the Cape.
Jeff O
My mother was thrilled to learn about the discovery of my father’s ring and thanks you for your effort and good deed of doing this service without a fee.
Jeff O
Dear Jane, Rick and Dakota,
It was quite a morning for me thanks to your generous spirits, time and expertise. I did not realize how emotional it was for me until I returned home and held my hand up so my wife could see the ring. She started crying which prompted me to tear up as well.
Rick, I thought that the possibility of you finding the ring in the harbor over 3 years after I lost it was such a long shot that I took several weeks to call you after I saw the article in the Cape Cod Times. Boy am I glad that I clipped that article and connected with you. The work you do through your hobby is much greater than simply finding lost items. It is reconnecting people to something very precious to them, beyond the intrinsic value of the item. I felt awful for weeks after I lost my father’s ring. I loved the ring because it was a constant reminder to me of him. You noticed how it shines beautifully in the sun. The star sapphire is special.
My father was a special guy and taught me a great deal by example. He was an incredibly hard worker, loving and devoted husband and father. He was very well respected in his industry, precious metal casting and had one of the finest casting shops in the world. He did museum reproductions for the Museum of Fine Arts and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was a subcontractor for Stueben Glass the specialty division of Corning Glass making limited edition castings for their glass pieces. He did not have an easy life since he emigrated to the USA in the late 1930s as a teenager to escape Hitler’s Germany. His education was cut short and his parents went from being middle class to working menial jobs to survive in their new homeland. His family was so grateful to their adopted country that they spoke little of the hardships. As I told you his years of service during WWII were in the Army Corp of Engineers on Adak Island. He helped establish that base which blocked the Japanese advance through the Aleutians. It is interesting that during your years in the Navy you were familiar with this Island too.
Dakota it was great meeting you and thanks for helping your grandfather help people find missing rings. Follow his example and you too will have a fulfilling life.
My heartfelt thanks for your assistance.
Jeff O
