Loch Ness monster hunter Rines dead at 87

BOSTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Attorney Robert H. Rines, known for spending decades chasing the Loch Ness monster, died in Boston at the age of 87, his wife, Joanne Hayes-Rines, said.

The New York Times said Sunday while Rines founded the Franklin Pierce Law Center and held more than 800 patents, it was his passionate search for the rumored creature that earned him widespread notoriety.

While spending more than 25 years searching for the Scottish monster, Rines came to suspect the fabled creature may have died. Not to be deterred, Rines moved forward in hopes of finding the skeleton of the Loch Ness beast.

"They can just call me crazy, and that's OK by me," Rines said in a 2008 interview regarding his passionate search that began in 1972.

Among Rines' patented inventions was electronic gear that has been used to locate the remains of the RMS Titanic and improve Patriot missiles.

The Times said Rines, who died of heart failure Nov. 1, is survived by his wife; his sons, Justice and Robert; his daughter, Suzi Rines Toth; his stepdaughter, Laura Hayes-Heur; and four grandchildren.