This was just shared in our FB group by Juan Salazar (thank you, Juan!)
Dear Whitby 42 friends,
I have some very sad news to report. My very dear friend and mentor has passed away. Without him introducing me (by chance) to sailing and his ‘war stories’ (Vietnam and sailing battles) I would not have learned and would never have, with a straight face, call myself a ‘sailor’! What I admired most about him - in spite if his many accomplishments military, education, travel, etc. - is that he was always humble and would listen to any and all opinions about ‘sailing’. Never afraid to ask a question. Nevertheless, he was the toughest boss you would ever meet - he was my client when I first met him and he ran a ‘tight ship’ on dry land - building skyscrapers!
After a long and dedicated career (retired as an Army Coronel and engineer) he spent a lot of time getting his dream boat back on the water. I spent many days working and learning from him - still learning. We managed to get her back in the water and sail some - regrettably not as much as we wanted.
A year and a half ago I bought the boat from him (alrhough he had already willed it to me). I bought it with the proviso that he could sail her anytime he wanted anywhere in the world!
I lost my father at an early age and never really had a father figure in my life (admittedly due to my fiercely independent mind since about 4!) until I met my dear friend.
His passing reminds me of the untimely death of Gerry ODonoghue who was a treasure in the Whitby 42 family. I enjoyed dealing with him.
My friend’s name was Michael Reynolds Foster (Mike Foster). Some of you might know him from the Chesapeake Whitby42 rendezvous! The boat’s name is Uhane Kai - I will not change the name (hull 213 / was Camelot before). He chronicled the restoration progress at one or 2 of the Chesapeake sessions.
Fair winds my dear friend. And fair winds to the Whitby42 family
CA
S/V Red Ranger
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