Retired Navy Capt. Don Walsh, a renowned explorer who made history in 1960 by diving to the deepest part of the ocean, known as the Mariana Trench, has passed away at the age of 92. Walsh died on November 12 at his home in Myrtle Point, Oregon, according to his daughter, Elizabeth Walsh. His remarkable achievement took place when he, then a U.S. Navy lieutenant, and Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard embarked on a daring mission to reach the Challenger Deep, the deepest point of the Earth's oceans.

Inside the Trieste, a 150-ton, steel-hulled bathyscaphe specially designed by Piccard and his father, the two men descended to a depth of 35,800 feet (11,000 meters) in the Pacific Ocean off Guam. After a strenuous five-hour descent, the submersible touched down on the seafloor, described in their log as the "snuff-colored ooze." It was a significant moment for Walsh, who recounted, "I knew we were making history" in an interview with The World newspaper in 2010.

During their 20-minute exploration of the seafloor, Walsh and Piccard were astounded to discover higher marine life forms, even encountering a fish swimming by. This discovery defied their expectations, and Piccard expressed his surprise, stating, "We were astounded to find higher marine life forms down there at all" before his death in 2008. The successful expedition was a result of Piccard's request for volunteers to operate the innovative bathyscaphe, to which Walsh eagerly responded. It wasn't until later that they were fully briefed on the mission's objectives.

Born on November 2, 1931, in Berkeley, California, Walsh joined the Navy at the age of 17 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. His passion for oceanography led him to pursue a master's degree and a doctorate from Texas A&M University. Throughout his 24-year tenure in the Navy, Walsh served on various submarines, ultimately retiring as a captain. Following his military career, he became a professor at the University of Southern California and later established his own marine consulting business in 1976.

Walsh's contributions extended beyond his personal achievements as an explorer. In 2010, he was honored with the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, and he served as a policy adviser to the U.S. State Department, lending his expertise to numerous boards. Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus, Chief of Naval Research, expressed his condolences to Walsh's family, highlighting his multifaceted career and the impact he made within the naval community.

Apart from his professional accomplishments, Walsh was known for his adventurous spirit and love for travel. He journeyed to various corners of the globe, including multiple trips to Antarctica. In recognition of his contributions, a pointed rock in Antarctica was named Walsh Spur in his honor. His daughter fondly recalled the lessons her parents taught them, emphasizing that the world is not a scary place. Their encouragement to explore and learn from diverse experiences instilled a sense of enthusiastic curiosity in Walsh's children.

The legacy of exploration continued within the family as Walsh's son, Kelly, made his own dive to the Challenger Deep in 2020. Accompanied by Dallas explorer Victor Vescovo, Kelly embarked on a similar journey to his father's, reaffirming the family's dedication to pushing the boundaries of human exploration. Vescovo, reflecting on their friendship, described Don Walsh as an extraordinary explorer, oceanographer, and human being.

In addition to his children, Walsh is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan. His passing marks the end of an era for the pioneering explorer and oceanographer, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements and inspiring future generations to push the limits of human knowledge and discovery.