RMHYC 2009 Bridge

Robert, and his wife Carolyn, reside in Atlanta, GA and dock Sea Island Girl, just off the ICW in downtown Brunswick, GA. They began cruising in the Bahamas in 2001, returning to their home in Atlanta when not on the water. While home, Carolyn returns to the pre-school she helped establish in 1987, and in the Abacos she enjoyed her volunteer teaching at Every Child Counts. Robert, formerly a corporate healthcare consultant, has enjoyed freelance writing and is a Cruising Editor for The Waterway Guide, and regularly contributes to a variety of other publications. During his tenure as Commodore, Robert focused efforts upon involving new members in the yacht club activities, broadening club communications, and establishing RMHYC as a meaningful contributor and willing resource, supporting a variety of community projects.

Dave and his wife Barbara joined the Yacht Club in the mid 90's. He became an officer in 2001 as Rear Commodore of Membership. In three years, he added over 600 new members to our roles. After serving a year as Vice Commodore, Dave became our seventh Commodore for the years from February 2005 to February 2007. Dave worked to create new By-Laws that would place the RMHYC in a framework more comparible with other yacht clubs of the world. The improved structuring enabled the club to maintain our unique Bahamian status. He helped negotiate rates in several marinas and was instrumental in moving our meetings and socials to the Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour to accomodate the increased membership. Dave and Barbara are retired and currently live on their 55’ Tollycraft, “Chablis”. They have enjoyed the Abacos for fourteen winters, and cruise up and down the east coast of the US in the summer. Dave is still an active member and plans to promote RMHYC as one of the best Yacht Clubs in the world.

John and his wife Pam hail from Ontario, Canada, where they live on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron during the summer months. The winter months, since 1996, have been spent on Pelican Shores in Marsh Harbour, at their home on Fanny Bay. Members of the club since the late 80s (club membership no 388), John has been on the Bridge in various roles since the middle 90s. During his short tenure as Commodore the focus was to increase the volunteerism of the membership and spread the workload of club administration throughout the Bridge. Continued efforts were made to refine the approach to Donations review and decision making. John and Pam favor small boats and much of the time on the water is spent sailing a pocket cruiser or exploring the coastline in kayaks and small runabouts.

Don made many changes and focused on growth, the management structure and the business aspects of the club. He established the bridge by appointing two Vice Commodores and seven Rear Commodores. He instituted a biannual newsletter, established the donation committee, and initiated monthly events such as blind dinghy races, the chile cook-off, Las Vegas casino night, and the Commodores Ball. With his son, Ted, the club website, RMHYC.com was created. A beautiful membership and plastic membership card were produced. The RMHYC Morning Show was started on VHF 78 to keep members up to date on club activities, mail call and arrivals and departures. Membership grew from under 300 to over 875 members. Five local chapters were established and ten port captains were appointed under his watch. Financially, the Club's cash reserves increased significantly. Don, Julie and the Commadog Sassy are living in central Florida.

Fourth Commodore Bob and wife Patti live on Eastern Shore in Marsh Harbour. During Bob's term, he and Secretary/Treasurer Patti revamped the club. Membership enrollment was temporally closed and non-paying members were purged. Enrollment was reopened with an increase in dues and an initiation fee. Because of personal health problems, Bob appointed Vice Commodore Don Van Beck as the Club's fifth Commodore. Unfortunately, Bob passed away in 2008. Bob was well known in the Marsh Harbour area as "Barometer Bob." Along with his wife Patti, they ran the Abaco Cruisers Net each morning for many years, and today, cruisers in the area continue to rely upon BarometerBob.com to get the latest updates on local weather and crossing conditions, back to the US.

KEENAN VAN MILL - 1995 until 1996

As a favor to Charlie Murphy, Keenan took over the helm as Commodore. Keenan's wife, Tonia, was Recording Secretary/Treasurer. Together they endeavored to keep up the club tradition of running a "tight" ship.

Keenan was at sea for 42 years, starting as deck hand and working his way up. He had an unlimited masters ticket--any ship of any size anywhere in the world. In addition, he held a 300 ton sailing endorsement. During his lifetime, he was overseer of the construction of three FEDSHIPS (132 ft., 146 ft. and 172 ft) and was master on each of them after construction. He had the reputation of being one of the finest, most knowledgeable captains of his generation. He was well loved and respected by all his crew members, who affectionately called him Dad. Our club lost a great friend and leader when Keenan died May 7, 2001 after complications resulting from open heart surgery. Tonia served as a Vice Commodore of our Club and resides on Pelican Shores in Marsh Harbour.

Jack was the second commodore and hailed from the icy northland known as Canada. He remained active in the yacht club and activities until his death in 2009. Jack was instrumental in developing a history of the yacht club which was routinely distributed to all new members of the yacht club. Prior to his death, Commodore Jack and First Mate Jo Ann had given up the island life and moved back to Florida.

Founder of RMHYC, Charlie hailed from Vernon, British Columbia, and lived there with his wife Jeanne at the time of his passing in 2008. Until his death he enjoyed sailing and continued to miss the fun time they spent in the Abacos. Commodore Charlie took the club from a rag-tag bunch of bar flies to a dues paying, meeting going bunch of rag-tag bar flies some 500 strong. Charlie became "Commodore Emeritus" upon his retirement and is sorely missed by many of those that knew him during the formative years of the yacht club. In memory of Charlie, a special service was arranged aboard the Wm. Albury in Abaco. In keeping with Charlie's wishes, his ashes, along with a warm beer and a can of cold beans were scattered over the Sea of Abaco.