Mr. Mike Costin

Raindrops are the teeth that time uses to eat stone

Both stone, and love, having no foreseeable end

In the human condition, should live forever, never die.

But love has its teardrops, and time has teeth.

JMC - Bethouia, Algeria

Summer, 1974

At noon on Christmas Day, John Michael "Mike" Costin set sail for his final voyage. He passed peacefully at home in the arms of his wife and daughter.

Mike was born and raised on the prairie of Nebraska where he grew up hunting and fly-fishing the Platte River and local streams. After graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Geology, he left the prairie to study applied mathematics and oceanography at Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University. During this time, Mike served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. After leaving Lamont, Mike was offered a position in the Deep Vehicles Branch of the Oceanographic Office of the U.S. Navy. There he was involved in testing and evaluating manned submersibles, which catapulted him into a long successful career that involved oil exploration, deep sea diving, and even the discovery of several shipwrecks, including the flagship of a 17th century fleet of Spanish Galleons.

Mike was a scientist, artist, musician, writer, and poet. When he died, he was near completion of a book detailing his many adventures over the years. His family will see to it that the book as well as a collection of his poetry gets published. Mike loved his work and travels but above all, he loved his home and family. The sun rose and set in his children, and he was mentor, guide, and support to them as well as many of their friends. Mike was a "farmer" who produced beautiful vegetables, herbs, and fruits in his backyard "lower forty". His artistic talents ranged from creating a beautiful backyard oasis to painting to hand-crafting models of the boats that he sailed or observed during his time on the sea. He was a proud Irishman, who loved watching college football, working crossword puzzles, and playing with his hounds. He was a voracious reader with interests ranging from history and science to Michael Connelly to Jane Austen. He loved all kinds of music, fine wines and good food. Mike and Susan cooked together every weekend and spent many memorable hours fly-fishing in the rivers in the Texas Hill Country, Ozarks, and Rocky Mountains.

Mike leaves behind many beautiful memories. He has been reunited for eternity with his loving parents D.J. and Evelyn, and brother Terrance. Mike will be cherished and honored by his best friend and partner for life, wife Susan; two beautiful children, Chris and Claire, of whom he was immensely proud; beloved hound dogs, beagles Rosie and Lizzie; three wonderful siblings, Karen, Denny (Lincoln), and Kathie (Houston); doting nieces, nephews and extended family; and countless friends and colleagues on land and sea all over the world.

The family is forever grateful to Houston Hospice and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the exceptional care of Mike’s doctors and caregivers. Special thanks to William Ross, M.D., Jaffer Ajani, M.D., Wayne Hoffstetter, M.D., Ritsuko Komaki, M.D., David Hong, M.D., and Jeffrey Lee, M.D. Donations in Mike's memory may be made to the DeGregorio Family Foundation for stomach and esophageal cancer research (DeGregorio.org); M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (gifts.mdanderson.org): ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org/donate); Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (the "Pink Sisters" of Lincoln, NE: 402-489-0765); or the charity of your choice.

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

--Irish Blessing