Racine Sun

This week in Racine County history.

Died July 22, 2024; known for Bermuda Triangle research

Lawrence David Kusche died on July 22, 2024. He was born in Racine in 1940. His family moved to Arizona when he was six. Kusche became a commercial pilot and flight instructor before earning degrees from Arizona State University. As a librarian at ASU, he investigated Bermuda Triangle claims after receiving many student questions. His research led to a book debunking popular theories. He later published The Disappearance of Flight 19, analyzing one of the Triangle’s most cited cases. Kusche explained errors in navigation, weather factors, and flawed reports. He concluded the mystery had been exaggerated by poor research and fiction. His work emphasized factual investigation and became widely cited. Kusche was also a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Though his career and work took place in Arizona, his life began in Racine. His legacy includes careful research and contributions to public understanding of unsolved cases.

Chad Harbach was born in Racine on 1975.

Chad Harbach was born in 1975 and grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. He attended Harvard University, where he connected with future literary figures. He later earned an MFA from the University of Virginia. In 2004, he co-founded n+1, a literary journal. He became known for his novel The Art of Fielding, published in 2011. The book, set at a fictional college on Lake Michigan, explores baseball and personal growth. It received critical acclaim and was a bestseller. Harbach also wrote essays on literature and culture. His work has been recognized with awards and nominations. Though his career took him beyond Racine, his early life there shaped his writing.