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Captain Bob Picot passed away on January 18, 2001 at the age of 73. He was born in Seattle and lived most of his life here. Bob graduated from Ballard High School and then went into the Marines, serving in the South Pacific including Guam and Truck. Upon his return from the marines, Bob began his 50+ year career in the Marine Industry. He went into the sail making business with his father in 1943. Their first loft was in the building that housed Byants' Marina which is now the Univ. of Wash. Police. It was here that Bob developed the first convertible top for the Bryant Boat yard and was on his way to establishing his reputation amongst the boating community.
In March of 1951, Bob and Ruth were married and lasted almost 50 years. They and their three daughters, Debbie, Lorie & Melinda loved the water and cruised the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound avidly, especially to Winslow and Port Ludlow. Bob and Ruth have lived on Lake Washington in Sheridan Beach for the last 26 years. In addition to boating, Bob loved to spend time at their condominium at Port Ludlow, where he was still serving on the Condominium Owners Association Board.
The Picot's first boat was a Blanchard Sr. sailboat, which was soon replaced when Ruth decided more stability was needed. They bought a custom built 24' Bryant powerboat they named "Pisces". The next boat was a 30' Chris Craft, the "Pisces II". It was with this boat that he won many predicted log races. After he won the International Log Race he retired from racing. He then ordered a new in 1966, 40' Chris Craft Constellation model, the "Pisces", which can still be seen cruising the NW waters. Son-In-Law Gordon Foote & daughter Debbie have kept the boat in the family.
Bob joined QUEEN CITY YACHT CLUB in 1956 and actively participated in club activities. Ruth remembers they always seemed to be the youngest members at club functions but were well received and made life long friends in the club. Bob and Ruth loved to participate in the Sunday night socials dancing and singing.
They cruised with Howard and Donita Wilson (Donita was Ruth's maid-of-honor), the Coopers, the Henriksons, the Olasons, the Roberts, the Janes and many others. Bob was a log racer and won the ICR before he retired from racing.
Bob was a loving father and had a heart for kids. He organized the Queen City Yacht Club Salmon Bake games, the Jr. Dances and was chairman for two years, of the Jr. Members program that was active at that time. The summer that the club was building the Winslow Outstation building, Bob commuted to his shop from Bainbridge so he could help and the family lived on the boat till it was time for the kids to return to school in Seattle. Bob was also a permanent member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The business was turned over to his daughter (Debbie) & son-in-law (Gordon) in 1989 so he could run a boatyard. He stayed in the boatyard business for a few years then he sold it to semi-retire.
The business is still run by the family and we dearly miss
his quick smile and presence! Love you DAD!
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