Dennis Riegler

Dennis Riegler

January 8, 1939 - August 26, 2008

Dennis Riegler, an avid sailor who worked in the

Marine Industry in Newport Beach for over 30

years, passed away in Long Beach California on

August 26th.

He grew up in Heromosa Beach, California

where he graduated from Mira Costa High

School, El Camino College and then completed

post-graduate work at the New York institute of

Finance. After military service in the U.S. Coast Guard, he obtained

his California Yacht Broker’s License as well as his Marine Surveyor’s

License.

Dennis was President of Sparcraft Corporation in the 1960’s and

then founded Proctor Pacific in the 1970’s. At Sparcraft, Dennis was

instrumental in developing a revolutionary spinnaker pole end-fitting

which was subsequently used by almost all America’s Cup boats. He

was actively involved in the development of equipment used on the

America’s Cup defender “Stars & Stripes” in 1988.

Dennis sailed extensively and competed in most of the major

ocean races in the world on well-known boats such as “Kialoa II”,

“Windward Passage”, “Serena” and “Sirius II”. He also enjoyed

racing and cruising with his friends, in his 48’ Phillip Rhodes

designed cutter “Rowena”.

He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor. His family survivors include

his sister-in-law Randie and his nephew Stephen Michael Riegler.