Buffalo State College faculty, staff and students mourn the death of John J. Freidhoff, lead boat captain and field station manager at the college's Great Lakes Center for Environmental Research and Education.

Affectionally called "Captain John," Freidhoff died Oct. 19 during a Lake Ontario scuba diving expedition to retrieve lost research equipment for the State University of New York at Brockport's Department of Environmental Science and Biology. The exact cause of death is being investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Freidhoff, a certified scuba diver and licensed boat captain, joined Buffalo State College in 1994. He was well known for his dedication to improving the environment and establishing the Great Lakes Center as an important research facility for Buffalo State College faculty and students, as well as for the Western New York/Southern Ontario Region.

Buffalo State College extends its deepest condolences to family and friends throughout the community.