Operator and passenger were drifting and fishing in 14' rowboat.  Operator was seated in the rear on a folding padded seat attached to the rear boat seat.  The Passenger was standing in front to fish.  When passenger turned around and wanted to sit down, the rowboat capsized and both men fell overboard without lifejackets on.  Operator was 77 and had a history of cardiac issues, according to his wife, he also did not take care of himself, she said, plus he had two years ago a quadruple bypass.  
When passenger and operator fell overboard, they could not get back into the boat.  They tried to get back to shore.  Passenger was holding on to Oprator and trying to hold his head above water.  They were in the water about one hour before they reached shore.  Before they reached shore, Operator said he did not feel well, and eventually lost consciousness.  Passenger kept holding on to opearator and holding his head up and above water.  Finally on shore, he laid him down.  Because his cellphone was wet, he went to his truck to get help.  when he came back with the officers, Operator had passed away.  Wife was notified.  Passenger also went to hospital but was not injured.
No other injuries, no damage to boat, other than that fish finder was lost.
The seat in the boat was a little elevated, and this may have contributed to the boat being unstable and to quickly capsize.
There was one lifejacket in the boat, and one was found outside (after it capsized) but none were worn.
Cleveland Township            