Friend, colleague, competitor, and consummate gentleman Dick gave so much more to the sailing world than he ever took from it. Always quick with a kind word and generous with his time helping others, he was the “glue” that kept everyone and everything together.
In 1981, when the J/24 achieved International Status with 3,000+ boats in 25+ countries, the class leaders knew it was time to establish a professionally-managed class office. The key was finding an Executive Director who not only knew one-design, but who would also have the respect of the international sailing community. Even better if it were someone with the temperament to handle a multitude of strong personalities.
The J/24 Class had a lot in common with the Laser Class at the time. One of the first J/24 magazine reviews in 1977 (by Jack Knights) was titled “J/24– is this the Laser with a Lid?” The J/24 Class rules were inspired in part by the Laser Class– in particular the ultimate one-design rule- “unless these rules explicitly allow it, then it’s not allowed.”
Nearly every other J/24 sailor at the time was an active Laser sailor – and enjoying the newly found luxury of sleeping in a comfortable berth at traveling regattas instead of a tent.
So, in September of 1981, the J/24 Class went big and hired Dick Tillman, the world’s most prolific Laser champion and author. Together with his partner-for-life and wife Linda (who predeceased Dick in 2017), Dick and Linda became the face of the International J/24 Class for 10 years through the J/24’s most prolific decade.
While Dick handled the class business, Linda published the 100-page glossy J/24 Magazine twice per year. They were an unbeatable combination, a true sailing ‘power couple.’
Dick Tillman covering Rod Johnstone during the J/24 Legends Race in the Silver Anniversary Regatta in Newport, RI, sailed on Narragansett Bay.
Jeff Johnstone exclaimed, "I had read Dick’s first Laser book a dozen times and built his Laser hiking bench well before first meeting him in 1981. Then in 1984, we had a chance to sail together crewing for my father Rodney in the 1984 J/24 North Americans in Kingston, Ontario, followed by the 1984 Worlds in Poole, England. As only sailing can do, those two shared regatta experiences made friends-for- life and produced more stories that we’d repeat for the next 30+ years. But, my most memorable times with Dick and Linda were during the several long road trips from Rhode Island to Florida in the 80’s when we often stopped into Merritt Island, Florida. Dick and Linda would welcome us in for a meal and some much-needed rest and then send us on our way the next morning. They made you feel like part of the family, and we were, and they were part of ours."
The J/Boats community is forever richer by having had Dick and Linda Tillman such an integral part of its fabric. Fair winds and following seas to Dick and Linda, now sailing together again. Dick’s tribute wall.
