Steven L. Waterman, 74

Madison, Georgia

Steven L. Waterman, 74, passed away Sept. 3, 2020 peacefully after an accelerated bout with military service-connected brain damage. Born in Hope, Maine, March 29, 1946, he was the son of Robert T. and Norma Blom Waterman.

Steve was a 1964 graduate of Rockland High School, where he spent most of his days behind a camera or in the photo lab. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a photographer’s mate, went to dive school, became a First Class Diver, and continued on to be one of an elite group of servicemen as an underwater combat photographer. He was attached to UDT-13 during the Vietnam War, and served a nine-month tour with them in 1969. After completing 13 years of active duty, he served in the Navy and Army reserves, completing 20 years’ service. Steve retired as a U.S. Navy Chief.

He was owner and operator of Waterman Oceanics dive shop, a member of MENSA, taught SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) school, published in “The Courier-Gazette,” “The Working Waterfront,” “Yankee Magazine,” “National Fisherman,” “Soldier of Fortune,” and in 2000 published his autobiographical account of his time in the Navy, “Just a Sailor,” with Random House Publishing. He also wrote several other books centered around his love of and experiences in and on the ocean.

Steve was a great mariner. Always involved in his community, he served on the South Thomaston Ambulance Service. He lobstered, took out fishing charters, was a scallop diver, and jumped at the chance to help anyone in need. Photography was the one constant throughout his entire life. He chronicled his adventures, his loves and his life . . . and watched them all through the lens of his camera.

Steve is survived by his wife, Dottie Billingsley Waterman of Madison, Georgia, four children, two sisters, and innumerable shipmates and friends.