Remembering Richard Curry

Gary Jobson 368

Sailing lost a great sportsman, competitor, and mentor to young people on Friday. Dick Curry was a longtime small boat sailor who grew up in Larchmont, New York. After attending St. Michael's College in Vermont he enlisted in the Navy with his friend, Donald Street.

Following his time in the Navy, Curry was a manufacturer's rep in the New York area. He was very active on the Penguin racing circuit, and sailed a variety of medium-sized boats, winning several championships.

In 1967 he became a sales rep for Hard Sails; in 1980, he left to manage Shore Sails Long Island. Over the years Curry mentored many young sailors who went on to prominent careers in the sport, including Bill Campbell, who was a three-time All American at the Naval Academy, Stretch Ryder, who raced with Ted Turner in the 1977 America's Cup, Mike Ingham, who has won several one-design championships, Paul La Bossiere, a Naval Academy All American, Peter Hyers, another Naval Academy All American, Richie Boyd, and me, Gary Jobson.

Curry retired from sailmaking around 1995 and moved to Florida.