Celebrating Maritime Excellence
New Hall of Fame opens at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
Published: Sunday, September 13, 2026 9:00 am
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum is proud to announce the opening of the Wisconsin Sailing and Maritime Hall of Fame. This permanent exhibit is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of individuals and businesses who have shaped Wisconsin’s rich maritime heritage and earned worldwide recognition as a leader in the marine industry.
The inaugural class includes a select group of individuals and organizations whose accomplishments have had a lasting impact on sailing, boating, boatbuilding, maritime commerce and innovation. Chosen from a broad field of candidates, each inductee represents excellence in their field and has helped introduce generations of people to the joys and opportunities of life on the water, both in Wisconsin and around the world. Selection was made by a panel of their peers.
To commemorate the opening, the eighteen honorees will be recognized for their contributions to Wisconsin’s maritime legacy. The Hall of Fame will officially open on September 19, 2026, with an induction ceremony honoring the inaugural class of inductees.
Sailing Inductees
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Harry “Buddy” Melges Jr. |
Born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Harry “Buddy” Melges Jr. (1920-2023) grew up sailing boats designed by his father, Harry Melges Sr., on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Characterized as the “Grand Master” of competitive yachting, he became quite the decorated mariner. Earning Olympic gold in Soling in 1972 and bronze for the Flying Dutchman in 1964, he became the champion of many national and international competitions. He earned the US Sailing 1972 Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the sport and the 1986 US Sailing Van Alan Clark Jr. National Sportsmanship Award. Melges was inducted into several hall of fames, including America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 2001, Inland Lake Yachting Association Hall of Fame in 2002, the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011, and now the Wisconsin Maritime Hall of Fame. |
| William Bentsen | William “Bill” Bentson (1930-2020), originally from Chicago, Illinois, sailed extensively on Lake Geneva, and here is where he met his long-time friend, Harry “Buddy” Melges. Together they went on to win Olympic gold in Soling in 1972. Along with his Olympic success, Bentson was also a champion in ice boats and a variety of scows. Later, he turned his efforts to improve sailing. Many Racing Rules and race management procedures are the direct result of his efforts. Bentson received the world’s highest sailing honor, the Beppe Croce, and the United States highest sailing honor, the Nathanael Greene Herreshoff Award. |
| Peter Barrett | Peter Barret (1935-2000) was a member of the Pewaukee, WI, and Mendota, IL, yacht clubs. He participated in three Olympic Games, winning silver in the Finn class in 1964 and gold in Stars in 1968. He went on to win several championships, including the 470 Nationals, the Finn North Americans, the C-Scow Blue Chip Regatta, and the A-Scow Inlands. Barrett was also on board the winning boat of the 1971 Chicago-Mackinac Race. He went on to be a contributing editor at Yacht Racing/Cruising (now Sailing World) and designed several popular sailboats, including the Aquarius 21, RK 21, Mega 30, and others, all built by C&C Yachts. He was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2001. |
| Jane Pegel | Jane Pegel (1933-2026) began sailing early in life as a descendant of a long line of sailors. She owned a series of ice boats and scows that had creative names such as “Calamity Jane” and “Frozen Asset.” In 1955, while in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she helped organize the school’s sailing team. Then, in the summer, she would be a sailing instructor at the Lake Geneva Yacht Club, where she would be associated with another Hall of Fame inductee, Harry Melges. In 1972, she was named the yachtswoman of the year for winning the M Scow Class National Championship and several other regattas of that season, as well as winning the Inland Lake Yacht Association Championship. She was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2021. |
| Bill Mattison | From Elkins, Wisconsin, Bill Mattison (1928-2022) became a national and international champion through his innovations. He was the first to use composite construction and the first to incorporate maximum-depth foil spar sections to smooth airflow. Through this, he was a fourteen-time international skeeter champion, three-time Gar Wood Invitational Champion, twelve-time Triple Crown Trophy winner, and winner of 80 regattas in A, E, and C scows. |
| Dean Cady | Dean Cady (1930-2025) first began sailing as a young boy, going out onto Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay in a rowboat. While at Michigan State University, his love for sailing grew. Post-grad, he joined the army and served 8 months in the Korean War. When he returned, he earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he practiced law for 55 years. During this time, he started a sailing school, serving as the primary instructor and sharing his love of sailing with at-risk youth. This led him to join the Milwaukee Yacht Club and to get involved in judging and race management with the United States Sailing Association and the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation. He was inducted into the Lake Michigan Hall of Fame in March 2023. |
| John Strassman | John Strassman has been a long-standing figure in the sailing world. He was part of the Sailing Team at Northwest University in the early 1970s and a part of the International Sailing Federation. He served as a US Sailing National Race Officer from 2009 to 2025 and a World Sailing International Officer from 2013 to 2025. He was also the Interim Executive Director at Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in 2016. |
| Bill Schanen (Founder & Publisher of Sailing Magazine) |
Bill Schanen was a young journalism graduate when he wrote his first sailing article for Lake Michigan Sailing, a start-up boating newspaper in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Five years later, he became editor and publisher of the publication that would evolve into SAILING Magazine. From its humble beginnings as a black-and-white local tabloid, SAILING grew into America’s longest-running sailing magazine, celebrated worldwide for capturing “The Beauty of Sail” through compelling stories and stunning photography. For decades, Bill guided the magazine’s course, championing sailing as an accessible passion for individuals and families, not just elite racers or adventurers. A lifelong sailor, he has logged miles across oceans, seas, and the Great Lakes, including numerous Chicago-to-Mackinac races. His dedication to sailing and storytelling has left an enduring mark on the sport and the generations of sailors inspired by his work. |
Marine Industry Inductees
| Ellsworth Peterson (Peterson Builders/ Shipbuilding) |
Ellsworth L. Peterson (1924–2018) was a Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, native and longtime leader in the maritime industry. After serving in the Merchant Marine during World War II, he returned to the family shipyard and became president of Peterson Builders, Inc. in 1956, guiding the company for four decades. Under his leadership, PBI gained international recognition as one of the world’s most versatile shipbuilders, producing a wide range of vessels for military, commercial, and research use. A skilled leader and community advocate, Peterson was also a devoted family man, philanthropist, and lifelong sailor whose passion for the water shaped his life and legacy. |
| Peter and Olaf Harken, and Art Mitchell (Harken) |
Founded by brothers Peter and Olaf Harken(1939 - 2019), Harken grew from a small Wisconsin sailing venture into a global leader in marine equipment and safety solutions. Peter, a University of Wisconsin–Madison sailor and innovator, and Olaf, a Georgia Tech engineer and Navy veteran, launched Vanguard Boats in 1968 before founding Harken Yacht Equipment, which developed a revolutionary ball-bearing block that transformed sail handling. They were joined by longtime friend and business leader Arthur (Art) Mitchel(1937 - 2021), Harken’s “Corporate Navigator,” whose hard work, business discipline, and unwavering commitment helped guide the company’s growth. Today, Harken continues their legacy through its employee-owned organization, global operations, and expanding Safety & Rescue Division. |
| Mike Kelsey, Edward ‘Shuff’ Willman, Bill Parsons (Palmer Johnson Yachts) | Founded in 1918, Palmer Johnson grew from a Great Lakes commercial boatbuilder into one of the world’s most respected names in custom luxury yachting. That legacy was shaped by visionary leaders, including Mike Kelsey Sr. (1934-2002), Edward ‘Shuff’ Willman (1931-1999), and Bill Parsons. After joining Palmer Johnson as a young CPA following his U.S. Navy service, Parsons became a trusted advisor and partner to Kelsey, and together they acquired the company in 1968. Under their leadership, Palmer Johnson achieved global recognition for innovative yacht construction, including the groundbreaking mega-yacht La Baronessa. Willman’s legendary sailing expertise helped influence the design and performance of Palmer Johnson’s celebrated racing yachts. Together, Kelsey, Parsons, and Willman advanced American yacht building, strengthened Sturgeon Bay’s maritime reputation, and created a lasting legacy in the marine industry. |
| William R Kahlenberg (Kahlenberg Marine) |
William R. Kahlenberg Sr. (1870–1957) was a visionary marine industry pioneer, inventor, and founder of Kahlenberg Brothers Company, established in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in 1895. Beginning with a small machine shop alongside his brothers Otto and John, William built a company recognized worldwide for dependable marine engines, propellers, and innovative engineering. His early gasoline engines and patented Kahlenberg oil engines helped transform Great Lakes commercial fishing by replacing sail and steam power with reliable internal combustion technology. Beyond industry, William served his community as Two Rivers City Council president, a member of the Water and Light Department, and a civic leader. Today, Kahlenberg continues his legacy through commercial marine products, including air horns, propellers, and custom manufacturing, carrying forward his commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. |
Don O’Keefe |
Daniel Joseph “Don” O’Keeffe (1935–2025) was a gifted naval architect whose creativity and craftsmanship shaped the modern luxury yacht industry. Born in Schull, West Cork, Ireland, O’Keeffe grew up surrounded by boats and was inspired by his boatbuilder grandfather. After studying architecture in Dublin and moving to the United States, he dedicated his career to marine design, personally creating more than 100 boats and yachts. As chief designer for Burger Boat Company for nearly three decades, he designed some of the company’s most celebrated vessels, including Windrush (Arawak yacht) and Lad (Fine Print yacht). Known for his artistic vision, integrity, and passion for traditional craftsmanship, O’Keeffe left a lasting legacy of excellence in yacht design. |
| Carl Kiekhafer (Mercury Marine) |
Carl Kiekhaefer (1906–1983) was a visionary engineer, entrepreneur, and pioneer who transformed the marine industry through innovation, performance, and determination. Born in Mequon, Wisconsin, Kiekhaefer founded Mercury Marine in 1939 after acquiring a struggling engine plant and redesigning defective outboard motors into reliable, high-performance engines. The Mercury brand debuted in 1940 and quickly established a reputation for speed, durability, and engineering excellence. Through groundbreaking developments in outboard technology, racing programs, and products such as the MerCruiser sterndrive, Kiekhaefer helped redefine recreational boating worldwide. His commitment to competition and innovation drove decades of success, including the creation of legendary testing facilities like Lake X. Kiekhaefer’s legacy continues through Mercury Marine’s ongoing leadership in marine propulsion, performance, and technology. |
| Bill Prince (Bill Prince Yacht Design) |
Bill Prince is a nationally recognized yacht designer whose lifelong connection to Wisconsin’s boating heritage has shaped a distinguished career in marine design and innovation. A native of Minneapolis, Prince developed his passion for boats through childhood experiences on the St. Croix River and Great Lakes, later finding inspiration and mentorship within Wisconsin’s marine community. In 1996, he won the NMMA yacht design competition while studying at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, launching a career that included work with leading designers and builders before founding Bill Prince Yacht Design in 2007. Since returning to Wisconsin, Prince has operated his design studio from Port Washington, creating vessels ranging from 22-foot runabouts to 197-foot custom yachts. His blend of artistry, engineering, and craftsmanship continues Wisconsin’s proud legacy of marine innovation. |
"The Wisconsin Sailing and Maritime Hall of Fame will celebrate the innovators, sailors, and entrepreneurs whose vision, skill, and dedication have left an enduring mark on our state's maritime history," says Kevin Cullen, Executive Director at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. "Their stories reflect the important role Wisconsin has played in shaping maritime industries and boating culture throughout the Great Lakes and beyond."
To read up on all those being inducted, check out the link to the article here: greatlakesscuttlebutt.com/news/featured-news/wisconsinhalloffame
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum welcomes all people to connect with our waterways through inclusive programming, engaging exhibits and a world-class collection. Additional information about the Wisconsin Sailing and Maritime Hall of Fame and the induction ceremony is available at wisconsinmaritime.org.
tags: Mercury Marine, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Wisconsin, shipbuilding, Sailing Magazine, sailing, Prince Yachts, Peterson Builders, Palmer Johnson Yachts, Museum, Burger Boats, Melges, Maritime Museum, maritime history, maritime, Kahlenberg Marine, history, Harken, great lakes history
