June 18

William Van Regenmorter was born in 1939 and built a successful career in business before entering politics. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives and later in the State Senate across several decades. Van Regenmorter championed fiscal responsibility and was instrumental in drafting Michigan's Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR). He also authored the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act amendments to strengthen anti-discrimination laws. In addition, he sponsored the Michigan Promise Scholarship to help students afford higher education. His legislative work earned him a reputation as a pragmatic policymaker committed to economic growth. He died in 2012, leaving a legacy of impactful reforms in Michigan's political landscape.

Ralph J. Roberts was an American businessman born in 1920 who co-founded Comcast Corporation in 1963. Starting with a small cable system in Pennsylvania, he transformed Comcast into one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies. Roberts pioneered community antenna television and expanded cable services nationwide. During his tenure as chairman and CEO, Comcast acquired major assets including NBCUniversal and diversified into broadband and content creation. Known for his visionary leadership and long-term thinking, he guided the company for over four decades. Roberts was also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting education, healthcare, and community projects. He passed away in 2015, leaving an enduring corporate legacy.

On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible imploded during an expedition to survey the wreck of the RMS Titanic, killing four high-profile passengers.\nShahzada Dawood was a Pakistani-British businessman and philanthropist with a passion for exploration.\nHamish Harding, a British entrepreneur and aviator, funded and participated in several deep-sea expeditions.\nPaul-Henri Nargeolet, a retired French navy commander known as one of the world’s foremost Titanic experts, co-led previous dives to the wreck.\nStockton Rush was the American CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, whose company built the ill-fated vessel.\nTheir tragic end underscored the risks inherent in pushing the boundaries of exploration.

Shahzada Dawood was a British-Pakistani business leader and philanthropist, recognized for his strategic vision at Engro Corporation. As executive director, he led expansion into energy, fertilizers, and infrastructure projects, driving sustainable growth. He championed educational initiatives and youth empowerment across Pakistan, contributing to social development programs. A passionate advocate for science education, he supported scholarships and community outreach. He tragically lost his life in the Titan submersible accident in June 2023, alongside his son. His legacy endures through his contributions to business innovation and community development.

Hamish Harding was a British business executive and adventurer, serving as chairman of Action Aviation. An accomplished pilot, he set world records for long-distance and high-altitude flights. He had a passion for exploration, undertaking deep-sea voyages including visits to the Titanic wreck. Harding contributed to conservation and scientific research through collaborations on oceanographic missions. In June 2023, he perished during a submersible expedition to the Titanic site. His legacy inspires future explorers and innovators in aviation and deep-sea research.

Stockton Rush was an American engineer and entrepreneur, best known as CEO and founder of OceanGate. He held degrees in aeronautical and mechanical engineering and began his career in aerospace. Rush founded OceanGate to advance manned submersible technology for scientific and commercial use. Under his leadership, the company conducted expeditions to deep-ocean sites, including the Titanic wreck. In June 2023, he died when his Titan submersible suffered a catastrophic failure during a dive. His vision drove innovation in underwater exploration and raised public interest in oceanic research.