Eight Bells: Jerry Tretter

Jerry Tretter

Jerry Neal Tretter, 67, well known yachtsman, outdoorsman and third generation owner of landmark Marina Shipyard (Long Beach, CA), died unexpectedly on January 7 during a motor home trip.

According to his wife Kathi, Tretter started helping out at the shipyard when he was just 2 years old. Years later, after serving six years in the Coast Guard and five years working on boats in Alaska, his father Bud Tretter urged him to “come home and work in the shipyard.”

And that he did.

“Boats were his life. He lived a great life doing what he loved most — working and playing on boats,” said Kathi Tretter.

Tretter is survived by his wife Kathi, brother Kurt, and stepsons Tom and Jason. Jerry’s father Bud preceded him in death in 2012, and his mother Arvilla in 2011.

According to family members, Jerry owned an 85-foot P-520 USAAF aviation crash boat; a high-speed rescue craft to find and rescue downed pilots. Tretter’s father was stationed aboard a crash boat during the Korean conflict.

February services are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s honor can be sent to: Crash Boat Association C/O Marina Shipyard, 6400 E Marina Drive, Long Beach, CA 90803.

Source: The Grunion