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/ (https://www.catalinayachts.com/frank-w-butler/)
This is sad news. What a legacy he created.
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.
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.
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 :cry4`
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.
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!
A true visionary, RIP Frank, you will be missed.