In memoriam: Harry Anderson

2014 National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee and lifelong sailor Henry Hill Anderson Jr. died on May 11, 2020, in Mystic, Conn. Known to many as “Harry,” Anderson was 98 years old.

A graduate of Yale in 1942 and an ardent backer of Yale Sailing, Anderson served in WWII as a field artillery captain in the U.S. Third Army under the command of Gen. George Patton. After returning to the U.S., he attended Columbia Law School but did not become a practicing attorney.
 
Anderson made his mark as Commodore of Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. His abiding interest was in sailing, and he spent his life passionately promoting its value. He chaired US Sailing’s Appeals Committee for decades, in addition to serving as a longtime member of various sailing organizations. He also sat on the boards of Tall Ships America, the Seamen’s Church Institute, the U.S. Naval War College, the Rhode Island Marine Archeology Project, the Aaron Burr Association, the Fales Committee at the United States Naval Academy, and the Foundation for the Preservation of Captain Cook’s Ships.

His extensive list of awards, honors and dedications includes the Intercollegiate Sailing Association Hall of Fame; National Sailing Hall of Fame; Doctor of Laws from the University of Rhode Island (2009); the Beppe Croce Trophy (World Sailing); the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy (US Sailing); the Campbell Family Award for Lifetime Service (Intercollegiate Sailing Association); Congressional Cup Honorary Crimson Blazer; 33rd Congressional Cup dedication; Post Captain’s Trophy (North American Station of the Royal Scandinavian Yacht Clubs and Nylandska Jaktklubben); U.S. Army Bronze Star Medal; Richard S. Nye Trophy (Cruising Club of America); Henry H. Anderson Jr. Sail Training Scholarship Fund (Tall Ships America); Lifetime Achievement Award (American Sail Training Association); William P. Stephens Award (Mystic Seaport Museum); and the Henry H. Anderson Jr. Library (the Seamen’s Church Institute).

By Ocean Navigator