Francis Dewar Bethwaite, DFC, OAM
1920-2012
Frank Bethwaite has died, aged 91.
In our context I suppose he's best known for introducing the Cherub class into New South Wales and designing and building the 1976 World championship boat, rig and crew.
Later on of course his books are enormously influential. He finished a third book shortly before he died, which will be published later this year.
http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Frank-Bethwaite,-the-father-of-High-Performance-Sailing,-dies-at-92/97131 (http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Frank-Bethwaite,-the-father-of-High-Performance-Sailing,-dies-at-92/97131)
http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=97200
War hero, champion model glider builder, research pilot, sailboat designer, builder and father of world champions.
A life well lived.
I'm grateful to have had the privilege of meeting and corresponding with him.