Nikolaus (Klaus) Wickl

September 23, 1939 - October 23, 2019

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Klaus Wickl lived nearly ten of his eighty years in Port Townsend, WA where (with the help of many local marine trades professionals) he re-fit and cruised two remarkable sailboats, a Point Hudson 27 (Merlin) and a Lapworth 50 (Trimani). In the early 2000s, Klaus embarked on a personal goal of bringing class dinghy sailing to the youth of Port Townsend. Together with the Wooden Boat Foundation and other members of the community, Klaus facilitated the acquisition of Opti sailing dinghies for use in youth sailing programs. Those Optis are still a core part of the Youth Learn To Sail programs at the Northwest Maritime Center.

In 2006, Klaus returned to his native Austria to allow for an alternative, trade-based educational experience for his youngest son, Tristan. Over the past 13 years Klaus devoted his energies to raising Tristan and reestablishing his sense of “home” in Austria. He danced and climbed mountains and rekindled relationships with his Austrian friends and family.

Klaus died on October 23 in Salzburg, Austria after a prolonged illness. He is survived by his five children, seven grandchildren, and numerous friends and family.

If inclined to make a donation in Klaus’s memory, please consider the Port Townsend High School Sailing Team and the Youth Sailing Programs at the Northwest Maritime Center and Wooden Boat Foundation.