Future CUC Alumnus Just Missed Boarding the Titanic

April 14, 1912 marks the 102^nd anniversary of the RMS Titanic’s maritime tragedy. One student and a family who attended Alberta Industrial Academy (AIA), the forerunner of Canadian Junior College and Canadian University College, have stories to tell about their memories of that fateful night.

Claude Casey (1919)

The first was Claude Casey (HS 1919, JrC 1921) who at the age of 21 came to Nelson, BC from Yorkshire, England. He was disappointed that he was not able to secure passage on the Titanic but was able to board another ship at the same time. His disappointment turned to gratitude for God’s providential leading when he learned upon arriving in Canada that the “unsinkable” Titanic had gone down during her maiden voyage.

What a legacy Seventh-day Adventist schools might have missed had God not intervened with his plans. While in Nelson, Robert Kitto urged Casey to join him at AIA. This he did in 1914 and in April 1915, he was baptized in the icy waters of Lake Barnett.

During his professional career of 55 years, Casey distinguished himself as a history teacher, librarian, and dean of men at the Rutland School, BC; Battleford Academy, SK; Canadian Junior College for 17 years; Oshawa Missionary College, now Kingsway College, and Pacific Union College. A friend set up a scholarship in 1985 in his memory for CUC students. He died in 1982 at the age of 91 years. 

Rosco Hippach (1914)

Second, is the Hippach family. Frank J. Hippach was a member of the AIA Board 1909-1911 and farmed east of Lacombe. Two of his three children attended AIA, namely: Rosco (HS 1914) and Blanche (att. 1911-1916.) Rosco’s Aunt Ida Hippach and his 19-year-old cousin Jean were first-class passengers and survivors of the Titanic. You can read their stories here.

Rosco was the first graduate of AIA to become a physician. He practiced in Los Angeles, CA 1926-1951, working among the poor. He then practiced in Yucaipa, CA from 1951 until his death in 1966 at the age of 72.

by Edith Fitch

Robert Kitto and Claude Casey (right) in 1917.