Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1499272
SPRING / SUMMER 2023 31 club life foundation founder firm—now called Lasher Holzapfel Sper- ry & Ebberson—in downtown Seattle in 1973. Owning his own practice allowed Earl more time for hobbies and other business ventures, including honing his skills as a competitive sailor. As a boy, he sailed on Lake Washington, and aer college he realized he had a knack for the sport. "I went from winning races on the West Coast to winning on the national level to competing worldwide," Earl says. He reached the height of his sailing prowess in the 1970s, culminating in a silver medal at the 1976 Star World Championships in Nassau, Bahamas. During that same period, Earl and two business partners purchased Ray's Boathouse in Ballard, a landmark seafood restaurant overlooking Puget Sound. e waterfront establishment soon became a Seattle icon. "We all had an idea and a vision for Ray's," Earl says. "We wanted it to be a young people's place to go to enjoy fresh seafood. e idea sailed on smoothly, so to speak." While Ray's rose to culinary and financial success and Earl continued in his legal practice, his profile at the WAC also rose. He served on the WAC Board of Governors from 1980–1985 and 1987–1991 and as the 1989–1990 President of the Board. "e position allowed me to get more involved in the downtown community," he recalls. "It soon felt like I knew everybody in town and at the Club." Earl married Kristin Johnson in 1968, and the couple oen sailed throughout the Pacific Ocean on their 50-foot family boat, Marinero. "Sailing the Marinero began aer my competitive sailing days," Earl recalls. "We sailed as oen as we could—to Alaska, Canada, and more— for about 20 years." Now 82 and retired, Earl enjoys quiet days on Whidbey Island with his family and creating watercolor and oil paint- ings, another one of his lifelong pas- sions. He and his wife—both WAC Life Members—passed the torch on to their daughters, Kimberly, Jennifer, and Heidi, who all have memberships of their own. roughout his time at the WAC and in downtown Seattle, Earl found ways to help the community. As a WAC Foundation Founder, his contribution of $50,000 will help the Foundation preserve and enhance the club he loves. When asked what he hopes to see from his donation, Earl expressed his trust and excitement for the Club's direc- tion. "ey've got a great thing going, and they have for a long time," he says. "Downtown Seattle needs a place like the WAC." DONATE ONLINE The Washington Athletic Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose sole mission is to preserve and enhance the WAC Clubhouse through charitable, tax-deductible donations. Founding Donors each contributed $50,000 or more during the Foundation's initial round of fundraising. Learn more about donor recognition levels and giving options and make your own contribution to the WAC Foundation. wac.net/foundation Many thanks to the following donors who have committed their support to the WAC Foundation. Platinum: Roger Kelly Family & Friends of Roger Kelly Founders: Earl Lasher, Laurel & Pete Shimer, Linda Kelly, Patricia E. Doyle, Tammy Young & Hahns Burg, The Banerjee Family Silver: Dr. Bill Callahan, Daniel & Margaret Carper Foundation, Robert Wallace Charitable Fund Bronze Donors: Chuck & Nanette Nelson, David Carlson & Vicki O' Briant, Diane Harrison & John Wujack, Don & JoEllen Loeb, Gregg & Jane Blodgett, Jack R. & Sarah A. Sutermeister, James & Anna Johnson, James Hirshfield, John W. Meisenbach, Joseph Blattner, Kathleen & Karl Krekow, Kraig & Lora Marini Baker, Matthew & Laura Van Beek, Michelle & David Rudd, Patricia L. Sheppard, Patrick & Karen Crumb, Peter S. Carpenter, Robert R. Braun Jr., Sharon & Scott Kelly, Tom Horsley & Cheri Brennan, Tracy & Eric Pozil, Walt Smith, William & Rebecca Smead Additional donors at wac.net/foundation.