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1964 ALASKA EARTHQUAKE FATALITIES
By Coleen Mielke

March 27, 1964 at 5:36 PM (ADT), Alaska experienced the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America. The epicenter of the quake was in the Prince William Sound, about 75 miles East of Anchorage and 55 miles West of Valdez. It lasted about five minutes and was measured at 8.4 on the Richter scale; the newer moment magnitude scale registered the earthquake as a 9.2

Listed below, are the names of 128 Alaskan residents, 13 California residents and 4 Oregon residents that died as the result of that earthquake. Most of the deaths were related to tsunami waves (drowning).

Two kinds of tsunami waves devastated Alaska; first was an ocean-wide sea wave generated by massive tectonic movement of the ocean floor; these waves traveled great distances at speeds of 500+ MPH. The second type was a localized tsunami caused by underwater landslides and sediment slumps near bays and harbors; these waves occurred, literally, within minutes of the earthquake.

The power and magnitude of the 1964 Alaska earthquake caused permanent changes to Alaska’s geography; for example, Latouche Island was moved 59 feet to the southeast, Montague Island uplifted, on one end, by 14-29 feet & sunk 42-49 feet on the other end, and the Portage area sunk about 10 feet.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHT

SHOUP BAY in VALDEZ INLET - 220’ HIGH
OLD VALDEZ - 30’ HIGH
OLD CHENEGA on CHENEGA ISLAND - 89.5’ HIGH
WHITTIER on WESTERN EDGE OF PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND - 43’ HIGH
Seward (on RESURRECTION BAY) - 30’ HIGH
KAGUYAK (on KODIAK ISLAND) - 30’ HIGH
PORT NELLIE JUAN (PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND) - 49’ HIGH
BLACKSTONE BAY (NEAR WHITTIER) - 79’ HIGH
KINGS BAY - (PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND) 113’ HIGH

Three Alaskan towns, Old Chenega, Old Valdez & Seward lost many lives in the 1964 earthquake:
Tsunami waves totally destroyed the tiny village of Old  Chenega just minutes after the 1964 earthquake. Every building in the village (except the school and one other small building) was swept out to sea by waves as high as 90 feet; 23 of the 75 village members were killed.

In the town of Old Valdez, the earthquake caused a 4,000’ x 600’ section of the waterfront to slide into Port Valdez, causing a tsunami that killed 30+ people and destroyed the entire town. The town was later moved to its present day location.

Both kinds of tsunami waves hit the town of Seward. A 3,510’ section of the waterfront slid into the bay, causing a 30’ localized tsunami that set the fuel tank farm on fire. Twenty minutes after the first wave, a 40’ tectonic tsunami wave hit, which spread the flames and destroyed much of Seward.

Those of us who lived through the 1964 Alaska earthquake will never forget the terror of that day or the weeks of earth tremors that followed. This page is dedicated to those who died
as the result of the 1964 Alaska earthquake, and the families they left behind.


If you click on the names that are UNDERLINED below, it will take you
to a Memorial Page with more information.  If you would like to add information about your 
loved one,lost in the 1964 earthquake, please write to me:
coleen_mielke@hotmail.com
(Thank you very much to those of you who have already written)

Rest In Peace
 

Alexand(e)roff, Simmie 27 Kaguyak, Alaska Village Chief along with 3 other men tried to get a boat to take women and children to safety. Last seen holding on to overturned skiff - body never found.
Anderson, Eddie Kodiak, Alaska Never found
Anderson, Mary Kodiak, Alaska Never found
Anderson, Rudy Kodiak, Alaska Never found
Arrigone, Adolph John 65 Crescent City, California Native of Italy
Ayers, Kenneth T. Sgt. Valdez, Alaska
Baker, Clayton James 45 Anchorage, Alaska An invalid - killed at his home  2036 W. Marston Drive
Barnes, David George 35? Whittier, Alaska Father of 3 children below  - body never found
Barnes, Micky Lee
Barnes, Ricky Dean
Barnes, Vicky
5
4
6
Whittier, Alaska
Whittier, Alaska
Whittier, Alaska
Child of David George Barnes  body never found
Child of David George Barnes body never found
Child of David George Barnes body never found
Bledsoe, Clarence Paul Kodiak, Alaska
Blendheim, Alfred Port Ashton, Alaska
Boddy, Dan 47 Valdez, Alaska Fairbanks resident working in Valdez for the day
Brossow, Alfred Seward, Alaska Never found - Memorial plaque at American Legion 
Brown, Freddy Valdez, Alaska
Bushor, Jack Leroy Jr 7 Kodiak, Alaska Son of Arlene (Boyer) Wallace and Jack Bushor Sr.
Step-son of Airman Gordon Wallace
Byers, Charles W. Sr. 84 Cordova, Alaska Died of heart attack
Carriker, Duane Rev. 33 Valdez, Alaska Pastor of Assemby of God Church, body never found
Carrol, Thomas  Valdez, Alaska
Chimovisky, Alex b.1902
Nutchek
Port Nellie Juan, Alaska Son of Chief of Old Nuchek
Chimovisky, Annie b.1898
Chenega
Port Nellie Juan, Alaska Wife of Alex Chimovisky
Chimovisky, Emanuel b.1928
Chenega
Port Nellie Juan, Alaska Son of Alex and Annie Chimovisky
Clawson, AgathaWinifred 52 Crescent City, California Wife of William Clawson Crescent City, California
Clawson, William Eben 54 Crescent City, California Owned a tavern in Crescent City, California
Cunningham, Dennis 15 Valdez, Alaska
Curry, Maurice 71 Kodiak, Alaska Lived at Kalsin Bay 
Damon, Frances Whittier, Alaska From Soldotna     Body never Found
Damon, Larry 16 Whittier, Alaska Son of Francis  From Soldotna  Body never Found
Day, Leonard 50's Whittier, Alaska Lumber Company employee  Body never found
Day, Alberta 50's Whittier, Alaska Wife of Leonard          Body never Found
Deis, Mary Eva 50 Seaside, Oregon Died of heart attack after wave struck her home
Edwards, Earl Floyd 56 Crescent City, California Husband of Juanita Edwards
Edwards, Juanita Pearl 42 Crescent City, California Wife of Earl Edwards
Worked at Long Branch Tavern 
Elbe, Emil Seward, Alaska Died of heart attack while running from tsunami
Buried at the American Legion Cemetery in Seward
Eleshansky, Sally
Eleshansky, Steve

Eleshansky, Ronda

b. 1916
b. 1921

Infant

Chenega, Alaska
Chenega, Alaska

Chenega, Alaska

Wife of Mickey Eleshansky  Maiden name Selanoff
Father of Ronda Eleshansky Husband of Dorothy Selanoff
Daughter of Steve & Dorothy "Tiny" Eleshansky
Erb, Frank Point Nowell, Alaska
Evanoff, Jack b.1896 Chenega, Alaska Brother of Willie Evanoff
Evanoff, Nellie b.1906
Kniklik
Chenega, Alaska Wife of Jack Evanoff maiden name Komokoff
Evanoff, Sally b.1912 Chenega, Alaska Wife of Willy Evanoff   daughter of Anna Vlasoff
Evanoff, Willie b. 1898 Chenega, Alaska Village Chief in 1948
Brother of Jack Evanoff and husband of Sally Evanoff
Fenner, Mabel M. Kodiak, Alaska Died of heart attack (local magistrate)
 
Fields, Joan Vey 25 Crescent City, California Fiance of Gary Clawson
Finke, Lester 50 Seward, Alaska Body never found
Granger, Douglas 50+ Valdez, Alaska
Gregorieff, Paul Valdez, Alaska Crushed by shifting freight on "Chena"
Husband of Mary (Vlasoff) Gregorieff
Groth, Bruno Crescent City, California Sculptor
Growden, James Sr. 29 Valdez, Alaska Teacher & coach at Valdez High School
Growden, David  3 Valdez, Alaska Son of James Sr.
Growden, James Jr. 4 Valdez, Alaska Son of James Sr.
Hammerly, William Seward, Alaska
Hammerly, William Mrs. Seward, Alaska
Harris, Margaret 92 Valdez, Alaska
Harrington, Donald Seward, Alaska Never found
Harrison, Robert Valdez, Alaska
Hatch, Jesse 38 Seward, Alaska Never found- plaque at American Legion 
Henderson, Henry Valdez, Alaska Fisherman
Hillsberg, Lavella Crescent City, California Tried to warn friend
Jackson, Arvilla Chenega, Alaska Daughter of Dora Ribaloff Jackson
Jackson, Cindy Chenega, Alaska Daughter of Dora Ribaloff Jackson
Jackson, Danny Chenega, Alaska Son of Dora Ribaloff Jackson
Jackson, Dora 29 Chenega, Alaska Mother of the above children & daughter of Sam Ribaloff
Johnson, Sam Valdez, Alaska
Jones, Bill Kodiak, Alaska Never found
Joslyn, George Valdez, Alaska
Joy, Billy Port Whitshed, Alaska Washed out to sea
Kleparek, Gary Lynn Anchorage, Alaska Died in surgery from head injury from falling debris
Knight, Leora Anchorage, Alaska Wife of Virgil (Virgil lost, wife, home & leg)
Knutsen, Stanley  14 Valdez, Alaska
Kompkoff, Daria b.1912
Tatitlek
Chenega, Alaska Wife of Willie Kompkoff
Maiden name Levshakoff
Kompkoff, Willie b.1898 Chenega, Alaska Husband of Daria Kompkoff
Kompkoff, Julia 9 Chenega, Alaska Daughter of Nick & Mary (Selanoff) Kompkoff
Kompkoff, Norma Jean 3 Chenega, Alaska Daughter of Nick & Mary (Selanoff) Kompkoff
Kompkoff, Richard Chenega, Alaska Son of Willie and Daria Kompkoff
Kompkoff, Joann Chenega, Alaska Daughter of Avis Kompkoff 
Body found on Knight Island
Krieger, Howard Valdez, Alaska Crushed by shifting freight on "Chena"
Kulstad, Patricia  Valdez, Alaska Lived on the dock where husband  Robert Kulstad, was night watchman.
Larson, John Sut Afognak, Alaska Aboard vessel Spruce Cape (body found 4/3/1964)
Layton, Virgil C. 50 Kodiak, Alaska Died 3/29/1964 doing salvage work at Kodiak harbor.
McKenzie, Louis 8 Newport, Oregon Camping on beach with parents
McKenzie, Robert "Bobby" 7 Newport, Oregon Camping on beach with parents
McKenzie, Richard A. 6 Newport, Oregon Camping on beach with parents
McKenzie, Tammie 3 Newport, Oregon Camping on beach with parents
Magruder, Oran Gilbert 73 Crescent City, California Died of heart attack
Manson, James W. "Jay" Kodiak, Alaska Never found
 
Martinez, Joseph S. Anchorage, Alaska
McClure, Donald Sgt. 36 Crescent City, California Drowned while saving his friends life.
McCoy, Ross Valdez, Alaska
Mead, Perry III 12 Anchorage, Alaska Never found 
Child of Dr. Perry Mead & wife Wanda
Mead, Merrell P. 2 Anchorage, Alaska Never found 
Child of Dr. Perry Mead & wife Wanda
Mickelson, Lewis 35 Whittier, Alaska Father with 3 children  (none of them ever found)
Partner of David Barnes (also perished with his 3 children)
Mickelson, Teresa Lee 6 Whittier, Alaska Child of above father (never found)
Mickelson, Randy 5 Whittier, Alaska Child of above father (never found)
Mickelson, Keith 2 Whittier, Alaska Child of above father (never found)
Moe, Victor Seward, Alaska Buried in the Seward City Cemetery
Mueller, Donald 38 Valdez, Alaska Died on Valdez dock (never found)
Nielsen, Harry Afognak, Alaska Lost when fishing boat, Spruce Cape, foundered
Norris, Thomas Lt. Col. Valdez, Alaska
O'Leary, Don Valdez, Alaska
Osmonovich, Mike Seward, Alaska Drowned
Panamaroff, Ted Kodiak, Alaska Died when boat Spruce Cape foundered
Parks, James 63 Crescent City, California
Pettikof, Sammy

Reid, Frank O.

Shuyak Island, Alaska

Cape St. Elias,Alaska 

Disappeared on boat, assumed drowned in tidal wave

Coastguardsman

Reft, Albert Sr. 45 Kodiak, Alaska He died trying to save a friends boat at the docks. Neither he nor the friends boat was ever found.
Robinson, Richard 28 Valdez, Alaska Was unloading freight from a ship, his body was never found
Rowe, James Valdez, Alaska
Rustigan, Mary Louise 44 Anchorage, Alaska Killed by falling concrete from J.C. Penny Bldg.
Schmidt, William "Dutch" Valdez, Alaska
Schultz, Eugene Albert Kodiak, Alaska Died in tidal wave at Kalsin Bay 
Schultz, Rose Marie Kodiak, Alaska Died in tidal wave at Kalsin Bay (wife of Eugene)
Selanoff, Jeanne child Chenega, Alaska Daughter of Charlie & Kathy Selanoff
Selanoff, William (Billy) child Chenega, Alaska Son of Charlie & Kathy Selanoff
Selanoff, Thomas Paul baby/twin Chenega, Alaska Son of Paul Selanoff and Junie Elashansky
Selanoff, Robert Jr. baby/twin Chenega, Alaska Son of Paul Selanoff and Junie Elashansky
Simmons, __________ Seward, Alaska Mother of Louise  (never found)
Simmons, Robert Seward, Alaska Out fishing on his boat, never found
Son of Louise Ellanna
Simmons, Louise Seward, Alaska Never found
Spadaro, Frank 73 Seward, Alaska
Stapp, Sterling Valdez, Alaska
Stuart, Deborah Valdez, Alaska Wife of Earl Stuart
Stuart, Earl "Smokey" Valdez, Alaska
Stuart, Janice child Valdez, Alaska Daughter of Earl "Smokey" Stuart
Stuart, Larry child Valdez, Alaska Son of Earl "Smokey" Stuart
Stuart, Marie child Valdez, Alaska Daughter of Earl "Smokey" Stuart
Styer, Lee 19 Anchorage, Alaska Killed at the J.C. Penny store
Tabasco, George Valdez, Alaska
 
Taylor, William G. 45 Anchorage, Alaska Died in International Airport Tower
Totemoff, Phillip Jr. child Chenega, Alaska Grandson of Willie Kompkoff
VanBuskirk, Jack Valdez, Alaska
Vlasoff, Anna Chenega, Alaska Mother of Sally Evanoff  body found on beach
Vosgien, Richard P. 12 Kodiak, Alaska

Wallace, Arlene

26

Kalsin Bay, Alaska

Drowned while trying to get back to Naval Station
Also drowned was Arlene's son Jack Bushor Jr.
Walunga, Frank Seward, Alaska Never found
Ware, Gerianne 6 months Whittier, Alaska Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Ware
Waseli, Eli Kodiak, Alaska Never found
Wheeler, Phillip G. Valdez, Alaska
Wisdom, Alva 50's Seward, Alaska Pioneers Cemetery - Seward
Williams, Milton "Bud" Valdez, Alaska
Wright, Bonita Ione 3 Cresecent City, California Daughter of Mr & Mrs. William Wright
Wright, William Eugene  10 months Crescent City, California Son of Mr. & Mrs. William Wright
Wyatt, Donald 31 Kaguyak, Alaska From Los Angeles.  He was a geologist.  He & his wife, Joyce were camped on Kape Kagyuak, Donald was weighted down with packsack, gun and other gear.  His body was sighted by a helicopter & recovered from the lake and buried in Kodiak.
Zeeda(e) (Zieder),
Nick (Anakenty)
Kaguyak, Alaska Nick, Simmie Alexandroff, Victor Melovedoff & Max Shelikoff tried to get a large skiff that they wanted to use to transfer the women and children from the hill.  Nick & Simmie were lost. Nick's body was found on the beach, covered by a broken section of the roof, his body was shipped to Seattle.
Zook, Gerald Lee Hibner  Valdez, Alaska Died on the Valdez dock, body never found.
THIS GUESTBOOK HAS BEEN "BROKEN" FOR A WHILE AND I DID'T KNOW IT. IT SHOULD BE WORKING NOW (if it isn't please let me know) coleen_mielke@hotmail.com

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