I received the following e-mail from Ozzie Osborn 2/15/2011:

Merle A Metcalf, our Royal Baby of the 1962 passage into King Neptunes domain, went home to be with our Lord on January 19th 2011 after a long bout with his health. Merle was never able to make any of our reunions, but was always thrilled to get memorabelia from them. Some of his proudest possesions were his Cabildo cap, t-shirt, and placemat sized photos of the ship.

He was especially proud of the long sleeved shirt that Bob Gwin gave me for Merle... in Branson.

His wife, Dorothy lives in Palermo California (530) 534-15627 and expressed thanks to all of his shipmates and wives.