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Yacht Club to Celebrate Life of Rudy Thompson in June

A man synonymous with sailing and good times, Rudy Thompson.Update: A celebration of the life of legendary sailor Rudy Thompson will be held June 13 at the St. Thomas Yacht Club from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The territory lost a well-loved sailing legend Saturday when eight bells sounded Rudy Thompson’s last watch. The passing of the sailing pioneer, whose wit and generosity of spirit has enhanced the community on and off the water for the past 50 years, was deeply felt by his friends and colleagues. Thompson was 80.
Thompson was renowned for his stories, his joie de vivre and his decades representing the U.S. Virgin Islands in international sailing at the Olympics, the Pan Am Games and five world championships.
John Foster, a friend and fellow yachtsman of 50 years standing, said Wednesday, "Rudy was an inspiration to all the young people who got here in the fifties and sixties. He was an all around athlete, juggler, trampoline expert, which made him a very interesting person to be with."
Foster said, "When Rudy got on a boat, particularly a small boat, he just became a part of the boat. He passed this ability to his son, Chris, and his grandson, Cy, so the next generations will still have a bit of Rudy. His sailing abilities were amazing."
But Foster said there was much more to Thompson. "Apart from being a great sailor and getting the V.I. recognized in the Olympics, he was so versatile—construction, real estate, developing the island in all kinds of different ways—a man for all seasons, a very rare person in that respect.
"His other ability was telling spellbinding stories that intrigued everyone who listened to him, all mixed in with his sense of humor, very contagious," Foster said.
"All those assets, along with maintaining such a wonderful attitude toward life, make a legacy that he has passed on to many members of the yacht club, where he spent so much time sailing and teaching."
Bill Canfield, who manages the St. Thomas Yacht Club, an institution Thompson helped found, said in a published tribute, "Part of what many relate to ‘Caribbean Regattas’ was incorporated in Rudy’s infectious demeanor and positive attitude. Whether he was racing or cruising, he did it to have fun. The red wine, rum and beer flowed early and ended late. Sailing was a love first, and a competition second. The music and stories were just as big a part of the day as was sailing. More than most Rudy understood how to get the good out of life.
"Rudy was a past Yacht Club commodore, but participated in racing events from Trinidad to Puerto Rico for over 50 years," Canfield said. "Whether he was sailing in his series of yachts known as Fun Hog or Cold Beer, those of us who had the privilege of sailing with Rudy will remember the many trophies he won, but more importantly we will remember his infectious good humor and wonderful ability to entertain folks with his stories and adventures.
"Rudy loved most his wife Sheila and children Chris and Hillary, but was addicted to the sea," Canfield continued. "After being shipwrecked in Puerto Rico in the early ’50s he made his way to St. Thomas and operated one of the area’s first charter boats out of Yacht Haven. Notables, such as author John Steinbeck, sought Rudy out to be their charter captain."
Wally Bostwick, one of the younger generation Thompson influenced, offered a tribute Wednesday: "I first met Rudy as a teenage dock rat in St. Thomas in the ’70s. I thought I could learn a lot from him about sailing, but instead I learned a whole lot more about life."
Thompson is survived by his wife, Sheila, children Chris and Hillary, and grandchildren Cy and Brittany.
Foster said a memorial service is planned for Thompson in June. For information on the service, e-mail his daughter-in-law Christine Thompson: tchristinestt@hotmail.com.

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