Bill Mattison and Olaf Harken. Olaf visited the Mattison Circus back in 2011. Photo: Don Sanford
UPDATED ON 22 OCTOBER: Olaf’s Funeral Service Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019 Time: Visitation 11 AM
Service 2 PM Location: Galilee Lutheran Church
N24W26430 Crestview Dr,
Pewaukee, WI Map Reception to follow at Harken
Olaf Harken passed away this morning, October 21, 2019. Olaf “did the hard work” according to brother Peter and that hard work had a monumental influence on ice sailing, not to mention soft water sailing. Olaf raced a Nite class iceboat. In his autobiography, Olaf described ice boating as “Our favorite, if not our most frustrating sport, …iceboating: a combination of race-car driving and sailing.” The ice sailing community sends our condolences to the Harken family and Harken employees. Fair winds, Olaf.
Today we remember Olaf Harken. Olaf passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning with loved ones nearby.
This morning in Pewaukee, Peter Harken told an assembly of Harken members: “My brother did all the hard work so I could have all the fun. During the days when the company was just getting going, Olaf was in charge of the money. He kept us in business. If I had been in charge of that we would have been in big trouble. His legacy is in this culture. So, let’s just keep doing what we do. Just keep getting better. You are a great family. Thanks a lot. He’ll be watching you, so no sloughing off!”
The brothers took a lot of chances over the years – and their employees are still encouraged to do the same. When Olaf Harken was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2014 along with Peter, he explained the brothers’ business philosophy: “When trying new stuff our rule is to ask, ‘if it all goes bad, can we survive?’ Then we go to the bar and forget what we just said and do it anyway!”
The Harken story has been full of twists, turns, successes, and reinventions, but through it all, the goal of challenging the status quo and commitment to being at the front remains.
We encourage you to share your memories of Olaf with us. Feel free to leave a comment here or send us a message.
2011 Nite Class group photo. Olaf Harken is third from the left, back row. Photo: Don Sanford.
UPDATE:October 16, 2019: Please join family and friends of Robert “Ecky” Eckstein at his celebration of life CELEBRATION OF LIFE LOCATION: South Side Ice Yacht Club
1842 S. Main st. Oshkosh. DATE: Monday, October 28, 2019 TIME: 3 PM – 8 PM Open bar and catered food.
Oshkosh ice yacht sailor, Robert “Ecky” Eckstein, passed away on October 13, 2019. Ecky was a long time Lake Winnebago iceboater and sailed A stern-steerers, Renegades and multiple other iceboats. He was a lifetime member of the South Side Ice Yacht Club in Oshkosh, WI.
In true ice boating spirit, Ecky always offered his help and shop to any sailor who needed it. An example of that was during the 2006 Renegade regatta on Lake Winnebago when he made sure two 4LIYC skippers were able to complete their regattas after some first-day equipment failures by fashioning new steering components and a front stay tang.
George Gerhardt and Ecky enjoying a beautiful day of sailing Ken Norton’s boat in Florida a couple of years ago.
Peter Lundt races his DN at the 100 year anniversary of the Northwest regatta sailed on Green Lake in Green Lake, Wisconsin in 2013.
Obituary
UPDATE: (September 26, 2019) A memorial gathering will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.A full obituary will appear at a later date.
We have some sad news to report, long time Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club member Peter Lundt has passed away. Peter, an avid DN sailor, served as Secretary of the 4LIYC in the 1980s. Peter contributed to the club in other ways such as cooking and serving a high quality ham at club picnics, a tradition he continued to honor Jim Payton’s memory because Jim started it 40 years ago. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be posted here when available. Gunderson’s Funeral Home in Monona is serving the family. Peter was also a passionate soft water sailor and belonged to the Lake Monona Sailing Club. Fair winds and black ice, Peter.
Obituary
Date: Thursday, July 25, 2019 Location: St. Bernard’s Church
2450 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI (see embedded map below) Visitation: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Luncheon: Following in the gymnasium of the school building. Please share your stories about Jack during the luncheon if you wish. Burial: 2 PM at Resurrection Cemetery on Speedway Road with full military honors Map
Jack Ripp, devoted family man, 60 + year Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club member, iceboat champion, and gentleman, passed on this morning, July 20, 2019 after a short illness. Jack was one of the people who defined this club and we will miss his influence. Though he retired from active sailing several years ago, Jack continued to attend 4LIYC meetings and social events.
I will give you some facts and figures about Jack’s impressive ice sailing record, but they pale in comparison to his character; he was a steady, gentle man, admired and loved by all. Our deepest condolences to his family. If you have some memories of Jack that you would like to share, please contact me and I will post them. Deb
Previous from 2010: “Large Crowd Gathers for Tribute to Jack Ripp at 4LIYC Awards Banquet”
Championships
International Skeeter Association 1961
Western International Skeeter Association 1981
Ice Yacht Challenge Pennant of America 1964 1966 1967
International Renegade Ice Yacht Association Regatta Championship 1987 1988 1991 1996
Northwest Ice Yacht Assocation (NIYA)
NIYA Skeeter Titles 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1966
NIYA Free For All 1962
NIYA Renegade Titles 1988 1989 1992 1998
Triple Crown 1967
