Jack Ehrhorn, born in San Francisco Nov. 9, 1919 sailed throughout his life there for 86 years. It can only be guessed that on July 22, 2005 when he died, he sailed out on his boat, Flame.
By Mary Swift Swan
Published: August, 2005
Jack Ehrhorn, born in San Francisco Nov. 9, 1919 sailed throughout his life there for 86 years. It can only be guessed that on July 22, 2005 when he died, he sailed out on his boat, Flame.
Jack’s lifetime flame was his wife, Mary Ehrhorn, who battled Alzheimer’s for 10 years - a battle that Jack waged with her, caring for her at home, by his side, until she passed on May 6, 2004.
Jack, a renowned master craftsman and legendary Bay Area boat builder, is best known for his work at Stone Boatyard. He believed there was only one way to build a boat — the right way.
During WWII, Jack dedicated his considerable woodcraft expertise to building minesweepers for the war effort. Jack joined the Army, 1944-1946, where he attained the rank of Platoon Sergeant in the Pacific theater and became a Non-Commissioned officer of occupation troops stationed in Osaka.
Upon returning to the US, Jack rejoined Stone Boat Yard this time focused on the pleasure boat industry. He helped design and build the Yankee One Design sailboats, including his own #34, Flame, in 1949. Over the years he worked on many fine yachts including the Orient and the Baruna. Upon retirement, he became a surveyor of minesweepers for the Navy.
Boats, that’s it. They were his love, said Paul, who is Jack and Mary’s second son. Jack and Mary raised four children: Jim and Paul Ehrhorn, Terica Klauza and Lisa Duke. Jack has a sister, Betty Kendall, and an extended family, with which he shared his love for boating.
A nephew said of Jack, Jack taught me to sail. He taught me about the wind and weather, to read the water and get the most out of a boat under any circumstance. He showed me: to take great satisfaction in working on a boat, how to sand, how to work safely with power tools. Did I mention how to sand? We sanded the hull. For a 12-year-old that was a big job. Also the decks, toe rails, mast and booms. Then he taught me to varnish all those parts. The reward was worth it all, a day sailing the Bay with Uncle Jack.
Services were held at Greer’s Funeral parlor in Alameda on July 27. Jack’s eldest son Jim, who led the service said, It was his character that entering a room awed others, lighting the room with integrity, honesty, dignity.
And many others took the opportunity to share their reflections: End of an Era; A true and shining gentleman; When knocking on Jack’s door, before ‘Hello’ was out of your mouth he’d be shaking your hand with a grip like a bench vise and smile that shone like the sun; Jack was a man of love, concernedness, and compassion.
Jack was awarded many medals, including the Bronze Star, and was most proud that he served. He was buried in his Army uniform, as he requested.
His body may be interned in Hayward, but one family speaking to those gathered at the service said, Can’t you hear him now? As Flame maneuvers amongst the many boats, Got 2 minutes to go, take her down the starting line, trim to the wind. Bang! We are racing now boys!
Goodbye Jack, see you at the finish line.
