Dennis Riegler, 1939 - 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 Hermosa 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.