The Conservancy paid tribute to two legends, Joe Muchulsky, co-chair of the Conservancy's Hampton Roads Chapter and member of the Conservancy's Advisory Council, and Jim Rindfleisch, the ship’s former caretaker, during the Hampton Roads Chapter’s recent “Heritage Program” at The Mariners’ Museum on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Newport News, Virginia, birthplace of the SS United States.
Conservancy President Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship’s famed designer William Francis Gibbs, presented the organization’s Blue Riband awards to Melissa Muchulsky, wife of former crewmember Joe Muchulsky, who passed away in January, and Debbie Rindfleisch, who accepted on behalf of her late husband, Jim Rindfleisch.
Joe Muchulsky held the positions of Assistant Linen Keeper, First Class Deck Steward, Tourist Class Waiter, Cabin Class Waiter, and First Class Waiter, in that order, between 1966 and 1969. (Image courtesy of the SS United States Conservancy’s curatorial collection, originally donated by Joe Muchulsky)
Joe's long and distinguished maritime career began aboard the SS United States in 1967 as Assistant Linen Keeper, a job he later described as arduous. He went on to hold positions with the Military Sealift Command, the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, and the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy during a career that spanned more than five decades.
Accepting the Blue Riband medal on Joe’s behalf was his wife, Melissa, who reflected on the role the Big U played in Joe’s life, as well as her own. Melissa Muchulsky said in part,
“Joe had a very unique experience on the SS United States. His father sailed on the maiden voyage to the final voyage of the ship as Chief Steward. Joe has wandered the halls of the ship since he was a toddler, through his boyhood, up until he worked aboard it as a young teenager.
Through the years, the story surrounding Joe’s employment on this great ship has become somewhat ambiguous—yet legendary. Parts of it have been tweaked through the years, depending on the audience and there are slightly different versions out there. As I think about the story—and I have heard it countless times—there are four constants: (1) The New York City School System; (2) the New York City Police Department; (3) Joe’s father; and (4) a very wise judge.
Together, these four entities decided the fate of a young teenager that would launch a maritime career which spanned 52 years…
I am proud of Joe’s life and his career and where he came from. And I am proud that I was part of that career for 29 years. That ship was such a big part of Joe’s life that I am unable to look at pictures of the SS United States without thinking of Joe. And I am unable to look at pictures of Joe with out thinking about the SS United States. That ship was in his soul and they were forever bound together in a very unique way.”
CLICK HERE to watch Melissa Muchulsky’s Blue Riband Award acceptance remarks starting at approximately minute 13.
Jim Rindfleisch stands in front of the SS United States at Norfolk International Terminals on a spring day in 1984. (Image courtesy of the SS United States Conservancy’s curatorial collection, originally donated by Debbie Rindfleisch)
A Blue Riband medal was also bestowed to the late Jim Rindfleisch, the ship’s former caretaker. A Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War in Morocco, Jim returned to Virginia after his service and graduated from Christopher Newport University (now home to the SS United States’ bell) before going abroad again as a member of the Peace Corps.
While the ship was docked in Newport News following its removal from service in the early 1990s, Jim became the vessel’s chief caretaker, a position he immensely enjoyed. As Jim’s family noted at the time of his passing, Jim spent many hours exploring the enormous ship and accumulated a great deal of knowledge about the ship’s inner workings, as well as the passengers and crew on the voyages.
Accepting the award on behalf of Jim Rindfleisch was his wife, Debbie. During her acceptance, Debbie said in part,
“That ship was his wife more than I was…We did our flashlight tours and we called through places weren’t lit and weren’t really open to the public…I know Jim was crazy about that ship until the day that he was gone. He still dreamed about it. He knew his way around
CLICK HERE to watch Debbie Rindfleisch’s acceptance remarks starting at approximately minute 22.
Jim Rindfleish played indispensable roles in sustaining the SS United States' legacy, and the Conservancy will remain forever grateful for his contributions.
We wish fair winds and following seas to both Joe and Jim. They will forever be a part of the Conservancy’s family.
SS United States Conservancy President Susan Gibbs presents Blue Riband awards to Debbie Rindfleisch (left), on behalf of her late husband Jim Rindfleisch, and Melissa Muchulsky (right), on behalf of her late husband Joe Muchulsky.