News about the death of Capt. Ed Shields on Thursday came like a hammer blow to the heart of the greater Poulsbo community. It was a reminder how precious are those remaining few who hold our history so dear and so close — those who made it and witnessed our early days first hand.

When these individuals die, a piece of what makes North Kitsap unique dies as well. But, we are all richer for the contributions they made while they lived among us.

Capt. Shields’ accomplishments, both solitary and as a team member, are too numerous to count. He will be remembered here fondly not only as a captain and codfisherman, but as a skilled and thorough historian as well.

Fortunately, he wrote down much of his life experiences for everyone to learn from and to enjoy. But the man who defined local maritime industry is gone, having “dropped anchor for the last time” as he would have put it.

We regret the missed opportunities we had to get to know him better, but relish the fact that we knew him at all.

Shields’ unselfishness was what made him so unique in the modern world. He spent the last six years of his life writing the history of the Pacific Coast codfish industry, not for his own glory, but as a matter of historical record. He was the last of a breed and, knowing this, did not take such a huge responsibility lightly. He was truly the salt of the sea.