Diving into life together: Jack Baldelli and Ann Muscatt are united by their love of science and adventure
by Chelsea Sektnan
Jack Baldelli and Ann Muscat’s mailbox stands out in their a quiet Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood. It is made partly from a liquid fuel cell once used in a spacecraft and crafted to resemble a diving bell. This artistic flair hints at the fascinating lives of the married couple whose shared passions for science and nature have defined their journey together.
“We liked the same things, even when we didn’t know about them,” Ann said, a sentiment that encapsulates the serendipity of their love story.
The couple’s journey began in the early 1980s on Catalina Island, where both worked at the Catalina Marine Science Center. Jack, a commercial diver, was building underwater habitats for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Ann had just returned from Antarctica, where she had been part of groundbreaking scientific research. Though their paths crossed frequently, they initially didn’t connect.
“I hardly ever saw her,” Jack recalled. “She’d drive to work in her car, and I’d be down at the waterfront in my coveralls.”
That changed at a colleague’s wedding, where Ann saw Jack in a suit for the first time.
“I thought, ‘Who’s this?’” she said, laughing.
Jack’s impression of Ann came during a staff presentation.
“She showed a picture of herself lying on the ice in Antarctica wearing a swimsuit,” he said. “I thought, ‘Wow, she’s got guts.’”
Their admiration grew into a deep bond.

Ann Muscat and Jack Baldell exploring the Congo. Photo Courtesy of Muscat/Baldwell
“We started going to each other’s houses for dinner,” Ann said. A year later, they were married in a small ceremony in Detroit, where Ann’s family lived.
“We planned it quickly because we thought we were moving to Brazil for Jack’s work,” she said. “That didn’t pan out, but it’s been 39 years, and we’re still together.”
Their partnership extends beyond their personal lives to their professional accomplishments. Jack and Ann share a passion for nature, exploration, and conservation, which has fueled both their individual and shared endeavors.
“They complement each other,” said Joan Matthias, a family friend. “Ann is more of the planner and organizer, while Jack is great at executing projects and bringing ideas to life. It’s very much a yin-and-yang dynamic that works so well for them.”

Ann Muscat and Jack Baldell with friends in Botswana. Photo Courtesy of Muscat/Baldwell
Jack’s career bridged the skies and the seas, reflecting his spirit of adventure and adaptability. After earning a Bronze Star in Vietnam with U.S. Air Force, he turned to commercial aviation. Eventually, his path took him underwater, where he faced the demanding conditions of commercial diving in the North Sea.
“Back then, it was the wild west of diving,” Jack said. “It was dangerous, but I loved it.”
Jack’s work eventually took him to Antarctica, where he completed over 300 dives during 16 deployments with the United States Antarctic Program.
“I called it my paid vacation because I loved it so much,” he said.
Along the way, he honed his skills as a photographer, capturing stunning images of icy landscapes and marine life.
Ann’s career spans groundbreaking achievements in marine biology, conservation, and science education. A marine biologist with more than 1,000 scientific dives to her name, she has dedicated her life to advancing environmental stewardship and public understanding of science.
“Understanding science at some level is critically important to being a citizen in today’s world,” Ann said.
As president and CEO of the Catalina Island Conservancy from 2003 to 2016, Ann led transformative projects, including the creation of the 37.5-mile Trans Catalina Trail. During her tenure, she also executive produced Isla Earth, a radio program on environmental issues that aired on over 320 stations nationwide. Earlier in her career, as the Director of the University of Southern California’s Catalina Marine Science Center, she spearheaded the island’s first ecological marine reserve. At the California Science Center, Ann played a pivotal role in the reimagining and expansion of the museum, overseeing the development of its first major master plan and helping to shape its transformation into one of Southern California’s premier science education institutions. Her work included contributing to the design of the museum’s first phase, which opened in 1998, and laying the groundwork for subsequent projects, including the Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibit and the Science Center’s broader vision for public engagement.

And Muscat and Jack Baldell with friends in Rwanda. Photo Courtesy of Muscat/Baldwell
“They share so many of the same passions,” said Michael Muscat, Ann’s brother. “Traveling, diving, hiking, and being out in nature—those shared interests have always strengthened their relationship.”
Even in retirement, Jack and Ann remain deeply connected to Catalina Island, the “Isle of Love” they gaze upon daily from their Rancho Palos Verdes home. Jack has donated more than 7,500 photographs to the Catalina Island Conservancy and continues to volunteer as a diver and naturalist, sharing his knowledge with visitors. In 2019, the couple combined their talents to create Exploring Catalina: A Photographer’s Journey. The coffee table book showcases Jack’s photos of the island’s beauty. Proceeds support the Conservancy’s mission.
Reflecting on their relationship, Ann shared the importance of “appreciating each other’s qualities and how, together, you’re stronger.”
Jack added, “Curiosity and adaptability—that’s how you make it work.”
As they approach their 40th wedding anniversary, Jack and Ann are far from slowing down.
“We’re heading to Spain and Portugal later this year,” Ann said. Jack chimed in, “And Scandinavia too. We’re not done exploring.” ER