Honoring the Life and Legacy of Trustee Emeritus John Statts

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Coast Guard Foundation Trustee Emeritus John F. Statts.

September 28, 2026

John’s impact on the Coast Guard Foundation and on the families we serve will be felt for generations.

In 2005, after learning that DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal, who was killed in the line of duty in 2004, was survived by his wife and infant daughter, John responded with extraordinary compassion. He reached out to the Coast Guard Foundation with a powerful idea: create a scholarship for the children of active-duty Coast Guard members who die in operational, line-of-duty service, so they could pursue their higher education free from financial burden.

The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Foundation continues to honor DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal for his service and sacrifice. A fast response cutter was named in his honor in 2018; at every Run to Remember, here at Governors Island in July 2026; at the Coast Guard Marathon's service member wall of honor.

Nathan Bruckenthal served with Port Security Unit 309 and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed in a terrorist attack in the northern Arabian Gulf and is remembered as the first Coast Guard member killed in action since the Vietnam War. His sacrifice remains a solemn reminder of the risks Coast Guard families endure in service to our nation.

From John’s vision, the Coast Guard Foundation Fallen Heroes Scholarship was established by John and his wife, DeLinda, along with his sister, Elizabeth McCrea, in memory of John’s parents, Captain Frederick Statts and Sara Statts.

The earliest scholarships were annual awards of $5,000 while the fund grew, but John dreamed of something more. His hope was that by the time Nathan and Patricia Bruckenthal’s daughter reached college-age, the Foundation would be able to cover 100% of her education expenses, along with those of other children of Coast Guard Fallen Heroes.

In 2015, that vision became reality when the Foundation had the resources to offer full scholarships.

This year alone, ten Fallen Heroes scholars are benefiting from the generosity of the Statts family and the many donors who have helped carry John’s vision forward. Since the program began, 18 children of Coast Guard Fallen Heroes have received this life-changing support.

In a particularly meaningful act of kindness, John also made a one-time exception when the scholarship was first established to support the college education of Patricia Bruckenthal, Nathan’s widow. With that support, she earned her nursing degree.

When the scholarship endowment fund was established, John’s sister Elizabeth shared words that beautifully reflect his legacy: “If my parents were alive to see its creation, they would be overwhelmed and thrilled. Most of all, they would feel affirmed that the notion of living in service to others is alive and well and thriving in their children.”

During his time as a director on the Coast Guard Foundation Board from 2006 to 2021, John also shared his expertise as a member of the investment committee.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to DeLinda, Elizabeth, and all of John’s family and loved ones. We are also deeply grateful for John’s extraordinary commitment to the Coast Guard Foundation and to the families of our Fallen Heroes.

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In the cover photo, the Statts family is pictured with then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge at our 2006 Coast Guard Foundation Tribute to the Coast Guard in our Nation's Capital.