Question Anyone familiar with the Charlie Strugill custom dive masks?

[Jacob Carleson]

Hello, I have been looking for information on a vintage mask and the name engraved on it. I believe it is a Charlie Sturgill custom mask, exactly like the one on Alex Pierce's vintage scuba You Tube channel. It has a name, D.B. Higginson with two anchors etched on the rim. I have read alot about these masks over the past 2 years as well as the history of SoCal diving and the sport in general. I would love to learn more about the person etched on this vintage mask.

 

[Jacob Carleson]

There are several forms on this site from Sam Miller III, who has passes, that reference these masks also.

 

[David Wilson]

I too have read the late Dr Miller's account of his Charlie Sturgill mask acquisition. The mask itself was fabricated from a length of fire hose.

Could the name "D. B. Higginson" etched on the mask simply be the name of the person who purchased then used the mask?

 

[Jacob Carleson]

Yes

I too have read the late Dr Miller's account of his Charlie Sturgill mask acquisition. The mask itself was fabricated from a length of fire hose.

Could the name "D. B. Higginson" etched on the mask simply be the name of the person who purchased then used the mask?

I believe it was likely the person who it was made for. I think it was this man, his wife's name was Betty. And they were familiar with the family of the person I got the mask from. They lived in the same small California town. That is just a best guess. This mask definatly fits the bill for being one that Charlie made.

 

[Still Kicking]

Here's an obituary. It mentions he loved diving. It appears his son, Don Jr., is an attorney in San Diego.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pomeradonews/name/donald-higginson-obituary?id=16025681

 

[Jacob Carleson]

Yes, thank you. I read that when I was searching his name. Maybe I will try to reach out to his son.