a sad tale

[kickingbug2]

      Randy Sackman died this past weekend. The name wouldn't sound familiar unless you attended the last couple of carlyle lake rendezvous events. Randy was a hell of a guy. He built two airplanes and a Glen L 21' sailboat. He made his own sails and recently repaired my torn jib. He was constantly inventing things to improve his boat including a club footed self-tending jib (which worked great}. Last Sunday Rich Brown and I sailed with randy. The wind was good and we were treated to some downwind "spinnaker" sailing. ON Monday Sarah and i spent the day with randy. great wind ear to ear smiles all around. Randy lived almost two hours from Carlyle Lake and usually would come to Carlyle and spend a week or so on his boat. Monday i received a call from Randy's wife. She was very worried since he hadn't cakked for two days and asked if i could check on him. i hitched up my old fishing boat and headed out. when i got to the boatramp i could see Randy's boat anchored about a quarter mile away. I motored over went aboard and found Randy in the cabin dead. It appeared to be a massive heart attack. He died where he was most happy. Anyway if you knew Randy you could consider yourself richer. i knew i did. gonna miss you buddy:






















rich My wife  Sarah, and i sailed with Randy last monday. A Great day as we made 4 to 5 knots all day. it was ear to ear smiles.





























glem
 
 

[Roland of Macatawa]

Condolences upon the passing of your Friend

[crazycarl]

Very sad to read this. Although I only met him at this year's CLR, I immediately liked him. He was easy to talk to and he was very patient with his grandson.
I'll be sure to raise a mug of rum to him.

[MacGyver]

Very sad news indeed....... I saw him up town spraying off the boat one day but was unable to stop and say hello. Last year I met Randy and we hit it off wonderfully, a really good guy. Of the many things he told me about, his planes and the boat were the most intriguing to me. We went to see the boat and he was immediately attentive to the children and offered cookies and such which I am not sure if that was intentional on his part or not because they became quiet as they ate the cookies and he was able to discuss the many mods and construction of the boat.

He actually sparked a renewed interest in my desire to build another boat some day. He loved sailing and the tinkering. His knowledge was deep.

He sent me a video one time. He was out and I mean to tell you the storm he weathered was not for the faint of heart. He had responded that he would get back with me after the storm, and a change of underpants.

God Speed Randy, and God Bless your family in their time of loss and grief.

Mac

[alsantini]

What a great guy.  He will be missed.  But, at least he died doing what he loved, and on his sailboat.  We should all be that lucky.  RIP friend.  Al