Rest in Peace ~ Walter A. Short, 84, of Stuart, FL

[sailndoug]

Just a quick message to all who may have crossed the wake or spent time in an anchorage with Walter. He died January 17th very suddenly in Stuart, FL. He has sailed the world the last 50 years, the last 32 years with his wife Maggie. The first 20 years he spent cruising aboard FRI, a 1913 72' Baltic Trader he converted from a trade vessel he bought in Spain. Subsequent vessels were a 35' S2, and lastly a 28' O'Day that he and Maggie sailed up and down the East coast of the US.
I wish I had more time to hear his stories, they were grand adventures the likes of which we seldom see nowadays. One of my favorites was his repairs as a result of a dismasting in the Pacific. He made port in the Northwest, selected trees for a replacement, cut, hand hewn, oiled and prepped the twin mast and had them dropped in by crane.
These stories pale though in comparison to the man he was on the inside; gentle, helping and a true gentleman. He will surely be missed.