December 21, 2006 Chuck Harrett passed away in his sleep at home in Grand Rapids. News of this was passed through our sailing community all through out the day from state to state. It was only a few days until Christmas, but by the next evening people were arriving to support his wife Betty, daughter Sally, and son Charlie. By his funeral on Saturday the support had grown to an almost unbelievable amount of people from all over the country. Standing room only became a reality for many. How to pay tribute to a man who gave willingly to our organization for twenty years is a dilemma. In 1986, Chuck became our Race Official and every year, four days in a row in August, he was out on the race course, morning to late afternoon. Chuck getting in to his boat Victoria meant sailors better get moving because he was ready to start the races. Seeing Chuck at the starting line was a constant that we all came to know and expect.
The family requested support of the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. or the American Heart Assoc. in his name. Others have thought to have a trophy made in his name. Chuck’s love and promotion of sailing and racing, to all ages, is something I would like honor in his name, and I am looking for ideas from you to help accomplish it on behalf of our organization. Please drop me an email, scowsailing@earthlink.net if you have an idea.
It has been very hard for me to put in to words what Chuck meant to this organization, many of you knew him far better than I. I do know that he will be missed and his shoes will be very hard to fill. So, Chuck, if you are up there reading this, the next
W 2 ½ is for you!
