Larry Allan Chamberlain

Aug. 19, 1943 — Aug. 22, 2011

Larry Allan Chamberlain, 68, passed away at home in Friday Harbor, Wash., on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011.

Larry was born on Aug. 19, 1943, in Janesville, Wis., to Samuel E. and Mildred M. Chamberlain. He graduated from Janesville Senior High in 1961.

Following his graduation, Larry joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a tactical navigator on an SP-5B seaplane with Patrol Squadron 40, stationed in the Philippines.

On Aug. 7, 1965, Larry married the love of his life, Janet Speers.

In the middle of a successful career in the machine tool industry, Larry decided to pursue his dream of building a sailboat and living aboard with his family. In 1978, Larry, Janet, and their two children moved from Indiana to Bothell, Wash., where they spent the next three years building a 38-foot double-ended ketch.

In 1981, the Chamberlain family moved aboard their boat, Rainbow, and sailed to the San Juan Islands, making their home in Friday Harbor.

Over the next 30 years, Larry pursued many professional interests, including running his own machine shop, building two houseboats, product development and manufacturing, researching and writing patents, and, for the last several years, working for Browne’s Home Center in contractor services.

Larry enjoyed sailing, fishing, camping, hunting, and working in his shop, and he never missed an opportunity to tell a story. However, the greatest joy in his life was his wife, his children, and his five grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed.

Larry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janet Chamberlain of Friday Harbor, his daughter, Jennifer Cutshall, her husband, Neil, their children, Ransom (16), Nathaniel (13) and Issac (2) of Snohomish, Wash.; his son, Wolfgang Chamberlain, his wife, Erika Zanobini, their children, Noah (5) and Achille (2) currently living in New Zealand; brother, Gary Chamberlain and sister, Penelope Dunn, both of Edgerton Wis.

A Memorial service is planned for Saturday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. at the San Juan Yacht Club in Friday Harbor. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a contribution to the San Juan Sailing Foundation, P.O. Box 2464, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

— Family of Larry Chamberlain