Timothy Jack Runyan, age 83, died January 8, 2025.

Courtesy of National Maritime Historical Society

Born in Gary, Indiana, he was eldest of the three children of Jack Elmore Runyan and Mavis Lydia Runyan. He grew up near military bases since his father was a career Air Force pilot and decorated World War II veteran. Tim met his wife Laurie Runyan (née Blackmore) while undergraduates at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where Tim played football. Tim earned his master’s degree and PhD at the University of Maryland, and was a professor of history at Cleveland State University.

In Cleveland, he became passionate about the city’s maritime connections and served as president of the Great Lakes Historical Society, and was a founder of the Great Lakes Science Center.

In 1997, Tim relocated to Greenville, North Carolina, and served as Director of the Maritime Studies Program at East Carolina University. He relished opportunities to get out on the water and often into scuba gear to dive on shipwrecks in North Carolina and around the world. Between 2007 and 2011, he worked as manager of the Maritime Heritage Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, supporting historic sites and museums across the country.

He led the investigation on the oldest shipwreck in Alaska and helped create the Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Laboratory at ECU to conserve artifacts from the pirate Blackbeard’s shipwreck site. Tim mentored hundreds of students at the ECU Honors College, where he taught until his retirement.

He authored or edited books on topics ranging from European naval history during the 4th-16th centuries to the battle of the Atlantic Ocean during World War II, wrote countless articles for journals and magazines, and served as editor of scholarly publications, including The American Neptune and Sea History. Tim was a tireless advocate for maritime heritage and preservation, and efforts to educate Americans about their relationship with our oceans, lakes, and rivers. He was president or trustee of several national maritime organizations. Tim was endlessly fun to be with, bringing levity to navigate tough situations, and creating fast friendships with people around the globe.

As a father and grandfather he was unmatched. The curiosity, kindness, and service he inspired for so many has shaped their lives, careers, and families.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Laurie Runyan; son Christopher Runyan and wife Cynthia Runyan, and their children Ailene and Braeden; son Michael Runyan and wife Jennifer Dean and their children Maxwell, Jack, and Finn; and sister Bonnie Edmiston and brother Gregory Runyan.

A service will be on Saturday January 25, 2025, at 4pm at Wilkerson Funeral Home, 2100 East Fifth Street, Greenville, NC.
The funeral will be livestreamed. Online condolences may be expressed at [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the ECU Maritime Studies Program or ECU Honors College.

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Published by The Daily Reflector on Jan. 23, 2025.