Roy Gunsolus
Dr. Roy Mathew Gunsolus III died on September 14, 2021 after a heroic battle with Parkinson’s in Edmonds, WA, aged 76.
Roy was born in Bakersfield, California. Roy’s father’s army service took the household to varied army institutions. Most memorable for Roy was Kodiak Naval Air Station, the place Roy earned him the Eagle Scout and have become a member of the Order of the Arrow. He spent many hours fishing and mountain climbing open air together with his father.
Roy obtained each his bachelor’s levels in biology and his diploma in dentistry from the College of Washington, the place he accomplished his DDS in 1969. He then spent three years within the army in Germany and returned for graduate coaching in orthodontics on the College of California in San Francisco. In 1973 he accomplished postgraduate research in orthodontics. From 1973 to 2012 he labored in a non-public orthodontic follow.
Roy cherished his household, sailed, cycled, raced his beloved Porsche, labored within the backyard, collected trains and perfected every part he touched.
Roy was the epitome of the Pacific Northwest sailor: a person with robust household ties, steadfast friendships, a strong profession, numerous pursuits and exemplary management expertise. He was a person cherished by household and associates, extremely revered by his friends, adored, admired and emulated by his devoted crew.
Roy was a person with a observe file that might show something, on and off the water. Throughout his lifetime, Roy owned numerous crusing boats referred to as “Delicate Steadiness” (the title is derived from the tune “A Delicate Steadiness” by Tom Dundee).
All of Roy’s “DBs” have been meticulously ready, sailed exceptionally effectively and enduring high finishers at regattas within the Pacific Northwest. He additionally led Fritz Lanzinger and Scott Smith to 4th general and greatest novice on the 2000 Etchells World Championship in San Diego, CA.
Roy shared every part he owned: boats, homes, and groceries. He felt blessed, so he needed to share with others. He inspired his household college students and associates to work laborious, take dangers, and belief themselves.
Roy leaves behind an exquisite, grateful household, together with his spouse: Barbara; three youngsters: Roy Gunsolus IV (daughter-in-law, Jill), Turi Lucas, Kari Ketner (son-in-law, Mitch); Sister: Skye Sugar (brother-in-law, David); Grandchildren: Mitchell, Simone, Malia, Oliver, Roman, and Addison; Nice-grandchildren: Carter; in addition to many relations and associates. Final however not least, his supervisors: Sam Mutiso, Dennis Munguti and Lilian Kilangi – 3 excellent folks.
A celebration of Roy’s life can be held on October 16 at 1:00 p.m. at Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral House 14951 Bothell Manner NE Seattle, WA 98155.
Reminders will be despatched to APDA (American Parkinson’s Illness Affiliation), Seattle Youngsters’s Hospital Basis (pediatric mind most cancers analysis), or a charity of your alternative.
Credentials:
I had the pleasure of coordinating the crew group and logistics for Roy’s final two giant boats – the Santa Cruz 50 ′ and the Andrews 56 ′. It was simple to recruit a gifted and aggressive crew of 12 to fifteen folks as Roy ran a high notch program primarily based on a effectively ready and aggressive boat coupled with an environment of respect, friendship and participation on board. No one was only for the experience or their weight on the rails. Roy insisted on a group that included juniors and ladies (and normally one or two Olympic medalists!); he assured that everybody had a participative and difficult position and provided the chance to be taught and develop. Roy has helped lots of Seattle’s greatest sailors learn to construct a fantastic group and the right way to be humble about accomplishments on and off the water. Roy was a real gentleman and a sailor whose legacy continues with these of us fortunate sufficient to have sailed with or in opposition to him and amongst us who referred to as him our pal.
~ Joe Bersch
Chapters, if not books, might be written about crusing on board the “Delicate Steadiness”, the X-One Ton, the Santa Cruz 50 and the Andrews 56. In 1991 I knew I had discovered a house after I first met Roy. sailed and his crew in Bellingham Bay aboard the X-One Ton. I met Roy after I acquired on board on the morning of the race; His calm and relaxed method, coupled with authority, caught the attention. As I drove for our first take-off, I noticed what a succesful and enjoyable crew I used to be with, and I believed to myself, “I higher not screw it up on the forecastle, in any other case I will not be requested again!” Ha! On the first climate signal I made an ideal clew / spinnaker set. Oops! It was the amber-colored sun shades – that is my story – my first crusing journey with Roy, Jonathan and Charlie McKee, Zig Burzycki and the complete DB crew laughing at every part … a basic starting of long-term friendships. And I used to be requested again, however I am positive it wasn’t due to my attractiveness! I typically take into consideration the truth that Roy entrusted me with delivering the 50 and later the 56 from Vancouver, BC, to Seattle after quite a few races within the Southern Straits (Straits of Georgia): It doesn’t matter what time of day or climate situations, Roy and Our crew made positive that Delicate Steadiness was reconfigured for supply within the good cruise mode, and Roy all the time inspired me to take the time I needed to ship again. A few instances it was 8-9 days within the Canadian Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands. Or, within the worst case, an ice-cold snow blow to return to the DB’s dwelling port. Roy was all the time wonderful with that. One racing reminiscence stands out: I used to be severely injured throughout a spinnaker take-off aboard the Andrews 56: I went downstairs after the incident to take a while. Whereas he was on the navigation station, Roy got here downstairs and targeted on my situation, speaking to me and asking very reassuring questions. This was adopted by a considerably humorous dialog during which I requested if there wasn’t a full bottle of rum (for medicinal functions) on board; Roy’s reply was, “You should not go into drugs!” We have had many good instances crusing, and due to Roy, the friendships I’ve made that also make me smile thirty years later. I do know I by no means actually thanked Roy for making a distinction and altering my life after I moved to the Pacific Northwest, however I’ll all the time be glad about the marine tales, recollections and lifelong friendships – with deep gratitude to Roy and Barbara. Sail on Roy and delicate stability!
~ Kurt Gurtunca
I used to be impressed with the truth that Roy was normally not on the helm, however relatively demonstrated the last word skippership by handing the helm to the group. He was the dream proprietor who needed to do his half for the group by bringing his impeccable program and boat to the race, however extra importantly by devoting his optimistic spirit and management type to the group. Others ought to drive, implement methods, title techniques, trim and so forth. Roy himself was, after all, a superb driver, and the form of teamwork he fostered was such that all of us had techniques, trim and technique as a bunch. However the selfless angle that Roy cultivated was, in my expertise, distinctive and set an impressive commonplace that’s supported by all of us right now. Then try who he is entrusted his boat and racing program to – a great deal of youngsters and youths! In all honesty, you hope for that belief out of your mother and father and associates, however it’s uncommon and surprising “within the wild” on the earth of nice boat races. Now we have realized our classes about applicable dangers and rewards many instances (together with issues like rigs and groundings …), all the time beneath the watchful steerage and approval of Roy. He and Barb allowed and inspired us to be taught on the job about solo deliveries and unsupervised household cruises to a various bunch of dinghy sailors who have been inexperienced with giant boats and huge our bodies of water! Roy was a formidable innovator, and his beneficiant program ranged from serving to his teammates with a life-long mannequin of a correct grand boat racing program, to the irreplaceable reward of unbiased crusing for our households, to serving to the complete Seattle group together with his memorable legacy. The platform sailed, however the mannequin was about life and the right way to dwell. Thanks for setting the instance and setting the usual Roy we are going to always remember.
~ Bates McKee
Roy was the right sailboat group chief in some ways. He invited a bunch of younger sailors to race with him after which promoted an extremely optimistic setting on board the place everybody felt their voice was heard and equally necessary. It labored due to who Roy was as an individual: true steerage by mutual respect, no ego. Very spectacular to all of us who have been fortunate sufficient to sail with him.
~ Charlie McKee
Throughout a formative time in my life, Roy was a form of father to me; he was form, beneficiant, and trusting. Roy taught me about boat possession, correct yacht upkeep, and the right way to put together a ship to be robust, protected, clear, and race-ready. He entrusted our younger technology of sailors with key positions on board his boats and all the time provided assist and alternatives to younger folks interested by crusing.
~ Jonathan McKee
When Roy and I first met, our friendship was instantaneous; Shortly thereafter, I started constructing sails for numerous his boats that lasted 14 years. Roy’s heat character drew folks in, as evidenced by the caliber of his crew members: Joe Bersch, Zig Burzycki, Derek Campbell, Kurt Gurtunca, Fritz Lanzinger, the McKee brothers, Scott Smith and Doug Wardrop, to call only a few of Seattle’s most interesting sailors, the core crew have been aboard Roy’s boats. It was lots of enjoyable and each “DB” was a pleasant boat to sail. Moreover, our wives acquired alongside effectively and our youngsters have been about the identical age, so we spent lots of household time cruising the Pacific Northwest and swimming in Lake Washington and Lake Union. Roy and Barbara are my son’s godparents; they’re a few of the greatest folks i do know. Roy is missed from all of the lives he has touched. Sail on, amigo!
~ Keith Lorence
