Who Are Those Guys?

by Marcia Peck

Bob Thalman, An Officer and a Gentleman

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, seventy-five years ago, Bob Thalman never dreamed of becoming a sailor. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin and grad school at New York University in math and investments, but Uncle Sam had different ideas for him and the Navy called him to the Korean War. He finished his tour of duty as a Lt. jg., and an experienced navigator. Following the war, he and his bride Sylvia, now of fifty years, settled in Marin county, where Bob started sailing with friends.

Bob’s first boat was a 26’ wooden English design, called a Fleur Bleue. He wanted to get into a class with a bigger fleet. He looked for a year, and finally CYC club member, Clyde Jacobs gave him a ride on his Knarr, Bob said, “that was it!” That was l969, and Bob has had #ll4, Gannet, ever since. Bob had joined the Corinthian Yacht Club in l962 and the Knarr fleet in l969. He is still active in both. He has served several terms as club secretary and vice-commodore, actively raced and still races regularly in the Knar fleet, and along the way, became involved in race management. He was also a Captain in the Naval Reserve, and became the Inspector General of the Naval Reserve Readiness Command of northern California, Neveda, and Utah. He also had a real job as head of operations and control for Lloyds Bank. Somehow, he still found time to sail.

Bob was always known on the racecourse as a true gentleman and fair sailor. In the early 70’s, on San Francisco Bay, things weren’t always so clear on the racecourse. Consequently, Bob got interested in race management, and found himself on the YRA board. Bob jokes, “I tried to lay out courses so people wouldn’t run into each other at marks, and try to bring some order to chaos.” He was so vocal, he was asked to organize race committee training. Open your mouth, and, get a job! He and Tom Allen established the certified race officer program for the YRA and put on the first race management seminars in l981. They drew over l50 people every time. Together, he and Roger Eldridge, of San Francisco Yacht Club, served on the YRA Appeals Committee for over twenty years. Bob also served as the CYC protest committee chairman from 1970 through 1990. In l983, Bob became a USYRU judge, and was made a senior judge in l983, a most distinguished accomplishment, in a lifetime of great accomplishments. For many years he has judged our country’s premier sailing championship, including the Adams Cup and the Smythe-Bemis, as well as serving as the PRO for several International KNARR Championships.

Bob, at age 75, who retired this year as VP of Finance at Giampolini and Co., says, “I still love getting out on the water, racing, and being competitive. I just enjoy it more when everyone follows the rules!”