Sunday, September 21, 2014
‘Allo, Henri, you old Maine-iac!
I’ll bet you’re looking down—down-east, “up the tut rud, back in the puckabrush” where you grew up!
I know you carried shrapnel in your back, with pain, from your WW II U.S. Army days in the Aleutians, yet could always laugh and enjoy life.
We met at Kodak’s Lincoln Plantin the late 50s, where we were pioneers in imaging from space. Our work on SAMOS and CORONA were the forerunners of the GAMBIT satellites and films which were operational until 1984.
Also in the late 50s, we started racing at RYC with our Knarrs; yours was US 41, DIRIGO. We had great times in the 20-boat fleets at LYRA Regattas.
Later, in your C&C Redwing 30, DIRIGO II, you took to single-handing and rigged the boat with a foredeck railing for safer headsail handling. Miles Bliss told me that he almost bought the Redwing when you had it stored on yor hill. He asked me to relay his sincere condolences to Diane.
I remember the day when you broke your ribs while furling the main by stepping into the main hatch. Ouch!
I also remember the hilarious stories you told me of your single-handed circle in DIRIGO II through the Trent-Severn Canal to Lake Huron, the summer around Georgian Bay with some repairs, then your return via Lake Erie and the Welland Canal to Rochester.
Your land purchases on the hill off Davis Rd, north of Prattsburgh, took you back to your woodsman days in Maine, I’m sure. We had fun boiling down the maple sap from the trees you tapped, and plinking at targets with your .22 rifle. The syrup you gave us was great! I enjoyed trekking with you around the remains of the old lumber mill on part of your 100 acres. Then some X-C skiing with you in the winters. The log cabin you built from your trees was a delightful temporary home until you purchased your house.
Cutting and splittting all your own firewood for heating your home ended after you replaced your furnace with the heat sink in your pond, giving you air conditioning in addition. I always admired all your innovations with awe, Henri.
Dodie and I enjoyed our few meetings for lunch with you and Diane at the Cracker Barrel, near Marketplace Mall whenever you came to Rochester. Here are some photos.
Henri & Diane, 11/3/2003 at the Cracker Barrel Robb & Dodie at the Cracker Barrel, 11/3/2003
Diane & Henri—at Watkins Glen? Jan 2006?
Au revoir, Henri. May you rest in peace in Heaven.
—Dodie & Robb Holt
