Gouvernail 2,678 #1 Posted September 17, 2020 Dick may be my favorite living hero. He certainly is that sailing hero. I have been blessed with the opportunity to ask Dick questions for over six decades. Let me simply say He is in no condition to sail a Laser this week. Whatever your method of offering support might be, please do. He has a Wikipedia page!!! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Tillman 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wess 2,367 #2 Posted September 17, 2020 That is a serious bummer. Very sad to hear it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glenn McCarthy 188 #3 Posted September 17, 2020 Way high on the Richter Scale of good guys. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steam Flyer 4,744 #4 Posted September 17, 2020 Yep, met him a couple of times at regattas. Super sailor and a super guy. Genuinely sending best wishes for him FB- Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuso007 524 #6 Posted September 17, 2020 Never met the guy, but I do have this excellent book in my library: Wish him the best. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DtM 519 #7 Posted September 17, 2020 Best wishes to Dick and his family 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torrid 355 #8 Posted September 17, 2020 6 hours ago, chuso007 said: Never met the guy, but I do have this excellent book in my library: Wish him the best. I've got an autographed copy of a different edition. As I said in the other thread, he was one of the experts when I went to Rick White's sailing camp many moons ago. Super nice guy, very adept at explaining his Olympian-level expertise to novice sailors looking to get better. Wish everything well for him and his family. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rum Runner 312 #9 Posted September 17, 2020 Saw Dick last weekend and his spirit remains strong. He one of the truly great people in sailing. I wish him all the best. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aroy210677 244 #10 Posted September 17, 2020 This message is being sent on behalf of Dick Tillman from his 3 daughters: So many of you have reached out to inquire about Dad’s health. As the summer progressed, Dad’s energy level and ability to live his active life has declined. Initially diagnosed with Prostate cancer in 2002, he has clearly continued to live a full and adventurous life. The cancer has now spread and has invaded his bladder. And with it, there are additional impacts to his general health. There are a couple of procedures scheduled in the coming week that we hope will provide him some relief, in the near term. Dad has expressed such gratitude for the love and prayers being extended by those who have heard about his health status. We have established a CaringBridge site to best serve Dad and all of you through his health journey ahead, found at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dicktillman Please share this news with those who may want to know and follow how he is doing in case we may have missed anyone. It would be most helpful to direct any response you may have through the CaringBridge site vs replying to this email. Dad’s health updates will be shared through this site moving forward. Note: To access updates, you may need to create an account with CaringBridge. With love, Laure, Libbie and Susan 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snaggletooth 2,880 #11 Posted September 17, 2020 Thack you. Cryeng licke a babey........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wavedancer II 113 #12 Posted September 18, 2020 So sorry to read that. I interacted with Dick a few times at high level Laser and Sunfish events. He was well known in those circles and I was an absolute nobody. Nevertheless, Dick was so kind towards me (and my spouse) once we were introduced to one another. A true gentleman (and champion) sailor. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
George Hackett 54 #13 Posted September 18, 2020 Never met him but have read his book. A name that is sailing! RIP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gouvernail 2,678 #14 Posted September 18, 2020 2 hours ago, George Hackett said: Never met him but have read his book. A name that is sailing! RIP Not yet!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gouvernail 2,678 #15 Posted September 18, 2020 if this works There will be PDF of an article by Judy Lawson which was printed in the November Soundings magazine. This should be a copy of the page where it was reprinted in the April 1972 Canadian Laser Association News On my computer. I clicked on the file, SA asked permission to download, then it downloaded, and I opened the file . There is probably a better way to do it so I will wit for advice before posting more PDFs of 1970's articles I scanned tonight JudyLawsonarticle.pdf 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gouvernail 2,678 #16 Posted September 18, 2020 Screw it...Here is the 1972 Laser Association News in its entirety page1.pdf page2.pdf page3.pdf page4.pdf page5.pdf page6.pdf page7.pdf page8.pdf 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aroy210677 244 #18 Posted September 18, 2020 8 hours ago, Gouvernail said: What a great picture! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LarryE 39 #19 Posted September 18, 2020 Dick is a member of our YC. Last time we talked He wasn't feel well. Hang in there dick, I know how tough you are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Half Ass 1 #20 Posted September 18, 2020 Just one of his laurels Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jesposito 126 #21 Posted September 18, 2020 18 hours ago, Snaggletooth said: Thack you. Cryeng licke a babey........... Stop it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snaggletooth 2,880 #22 Posted September 18, 2020 8 minutes ago, jesposito said: Stop it! Sorrey Boss......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VWAP 902 #23 Posted September 24, 2020 "The ILCA (International Laser Class Association) Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who, over the course of their sailing careers, made an outstanding impact on the Laser Class and the sport of sailboat racing, has confirmed Dick Tillman (USA) as its latest inductee." From another site 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MauiPunter 664 #24 Posted September 25, 2020 I had the joy of serving on the US Windsurfing Board of Directors with Dick. He was one of the nicest guys around and highly respected. He was pivotal in our dealings with US Sailing. Hang in there buddy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blunderfull 441 #25 Posted September 26, 2020 On 9/17/2020 at 6:29 AM, torrid said: I've got an autographed copy of a different edition. As I said in the other thread, he was one of the experts when I went to Rick White's sailing camp many moons ago. Super nice guy, very adept at explaining his Olympian-level expertise to novice sailors looking to get better. Wish everything well for him and his family. +1 Met him at Rick White Laser Clinic. Bunch of us had dinner with him. A good guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of Hans 7 #26 Posted September 27, 2020 As a '70s Laser racer and a prostate cancer survivor myself, I get a hollow feeling - best wishes! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gouvernail 2,678 #27 Posted October 15, 2020 Phooey!!! Eight bells 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LarryE 39 #28 Posted October 15, 2020 Dick always tried to make it back, to Melbourne, for our Fall Regatta. Its this weekend. He will be sorely missed,doing what he did so well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sail4beer 2,009 #29 Posted October 16, 2020 Sucks to live and let live when you do it better than anyone else. Fair winds, Dick... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jewingiv 79 #30 Posted October 16, 2020 Fair winds, following seas, and thanks for all the advice both in print and after racing. You were one of my sailing idols growing up. RIP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Squirrel 88 #31 Posted October 17, 2020 This sucks! He was a legend and could not have been a nicer person. I went to do a Lightning regatta years ago at Wawasee Yacht Club in Syracuse, IN. We were told we were staying at a club members house and to head down the road about 5 houses and let yourself in. They didnt mention whose home we were staying in. So we wander down the road, walk in the door, and no one is home. As I walk around the kitchen and living room I start to see the Laser, Snipe, and Sunfish awards on the walls. There are North American and World Championship trophies and plaques all over the place. It took me a few minutes of "What in the hell did I walk into in the middle of Amish Indiana" to finally figure out where I was. Dick came home a few minutes later and could not have been kinder or more welcoming. It is still one of my favorite brushes with sailing greatness. MS 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torrid 355 #32 Posted October 17, 2020 Found this on the Sunfish class association site: https://www.sunfishclass.org/news/article/eight-bells-dick-tillman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rum Runner 312 #33 Posted October 19, 2020 Such a loss. Dick was a wonderful person who encouraged everyone, even those of us in the back of the fleet. Fair winds Dick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeR80 83 #34 Posted October 19, 2020 RIP Mr Tillman. An absolute legendary figure in laser sailing and American sailing in general. While this legend has fallen, Mr Tillman's legacy will live on for a very very long time through the sailors and their children and grandchildren that were inspired by his leadership, teaching and phenomenal sailing. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
