In memory of our friend, Dick Johnson
Saturday July 9, about 75 sailors and friends gathered at the Sea Gate club house to celebrate the life of Dick Johnson. Louise, Dick's wife of 27 years, shared numerous pictures and mementos of their life and accomplishments. I remember seeing some of these pictures in Dick's office and had the opportunity to ask Dick about them. He seemed to have a special fondness for the 505 he sailed and raced in Chicago, I believe he trialed for the Olympics in that boat. And he had multiple shots of Long Horn, the maxi-yacht he chartered for the Rolex Cup. You could see them gleam in Dick 's eyes as he spoke about racing maxi's. The crew was made up of 30+ paid professionals and 4 very talented NYRA women, Tinka, Kim, Missy, Debbie Smith. When you see them ask for the stories, great stuff. Another picture was of Ice Nine another Rolex charter that carried our own Jeff Thomas and Mike Harrison as crew and local boy Rex Willis, who happened to be in the area for his honeymoon. (sorry honey, I gotta go race, be right back!) That year proved to be a light air regatta and Dick got the Sportsmanship Award. He told Mike Harrison that was a sign the St. Thomas Yacht Club thought he was getting long in the tooth. So the following year Dick chartered Ice Nine again and in better breeze he won the Rolex to tie his stepson Peter Holmberg as the only three time winners of the Rolex Cup! Dick later went on for a fourth win in the Rolex, a record that still stands. Its note worthy to mention here that Dick won his first Rolex at age 55 and did it in a J-24. The first J to win. There is so much Dick Johnson did for the sport of sailing that I doubt anyone but Louise could really put in it all together, his work in ISAF, the St. Thomas Yacht Club, bringing maxi-racing there, the support for Morehead City Boating Club and all the support Neuse River and Pamilco sailors have had these many years. Its with much love, respect, and appreciation we say good bye to Dick. Our condolences to Louise, Peter, John and Dick's daughter Kathryn. Dick may be gone from our waters but will always remain in our hearts. I've added some photos to share in remembering our friend.
Celebrating the life and times of Dick Johnson with you all,
Mike Foster.
Dick behind the wheel, doing what he did so well.
Here is Dick with Gary Johnson, the guy that asked Dick if he wanted to race Blue while it was sitting idle at the Beaufort docks. Dick said get me some crew and the rest is history. Many thanks to Gary Johnson, little did he know that over 250 sailors and future sailors would pass over the decks Blue Bayou by way of that request.
Taken at the Hope Clinic Ball
Dick and Joe
Dick has one guy and three women onboard, Dick was a firm believer in estrogen onboard.