Passing of Frank Butler

[Sue Clancy]

Just saw the news that President and Chief Executive Officer of Catalina Yachts, passed away November 15, 2020

https://www.catalinayachts.com/frank-w-butler/

[waughoo]

This is sad news.  What a legacy he created.

[sselinger]

A sad day. I have talked with Frank several times during my ownership of Cat 22, Cat 27, and currently a Cat 34. Was a great guy to talk sailboats with.

My condolences to his family and the Catalina Boat Company.

[Stu Jackson]

We met at a Catalina Rendezvous on Angel Island on San Francisco Bay in the late 90s.  Great guy, wonderful legacy, he will be missed.

[Ron Hill]

All : Frank was a great person. He had a rule in the late 80s that if a Catalina owner call in with a question - it would be answered by either him or Gerry THAT same day!!  Talked to him a number of times.  Always hoped that it would be Gerry that called back, but got Frank a number of times!

Once I showed Gerry Franks' card with his tel.# that Frank had given me - and told me to call him if I ever had a problem. A surprised Gerry told me that Frank seldom gave out that private line # - because it was saved for his lawyer!!  I never used it.

A great inventor and a master in production. 

A few thoughts   

[Ted Pounds]

He will be missed.  I spoke with him a couple of times when dealing with swing keel issues on our C25.  He was definitely customer focused. 

[Roc]

He was an amazing guy.  Met him a few times at boat shows.  Funny story....  one night the phone rang and my wife answered.  She brings the phone to me and says there's a guy on the phone wants to talk to you.  I said, who is it.  She said, "I don't know, he says his name is Frank Butler"...  I said "FRANK BUTLER...  HE'S THE OWNER OF CATALINA YACHTS!!" Yes, it was Frank himself that called me about a warranty question.  Unbelievable!

[scgunner]

A true visionary, RIP Frank, you will be missed.