By Julia Bolz and Susan Stites

Long-time MYC member Jack Bolz crossed the finish line on May 30, 2023. Born in 1927 and MYC’s oldest living member, Jack was an avid sailor and started sailing cub boats on Lake Mendota in the 1930s and later graduated from C scows to E scows. Together with his brother Bob Bolz and neighbor Bob Beck, H11 won many E series championships and special races, as reflected on dozens of MYC trophies. In the mid-‘70s, “Captain Jack” uniquely put together a new crew consisting of his daughters, who competed on the lakes for many more years.

A founder of the Mendota Sailing School and much-loved instructor, Jack taught and mentored many of Mendota’s sailors. He was a long-standing member of the Bilge Pullers. He served on MYC’s Board of Directors for three separate terms: from 1968-70, from 1974-75, and in 1981. He was Commodore of MYC in 1970. He served as the Commodore of the Inland Lake Yachting Association (ILYA) from 1987-1988. To date, he is the only person from MYC to have served in that role.

One of Jack’s sailing highlights was test-driving “Heart of America,” the 12-meter contender in America’s Cup in Perth, Australia with Buddy Melges, a long-time friend. He also enjoyed sailing with other MYC members in the Caribbean during the off season.

Jack’s first mate and life-long partner, Marian Bolz, passed away only days after Jack. She was often seen on the family’s pontoon boat watching Jack and her five kids. Together, they regularly hosted after-race parties and ILYA formal parties at Jack’s childhood home on the lake, organized social events for cub boat sailors, and attended annual regattas across the Midwest.

You can read their obituaries at https://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituaries/john-bolz and https://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituaries/marian-bolz.