Eight Bells: Bob Sevey

Bob Sevey passed away August 5, 2026, at the age of 95.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bob and his family moved to Excelsior age 5 where he lived through graduation from Excelsior High School in 1949. Bob returned to Excelsior and Lake Minnetonka after the service.

Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After two years in the service and one year working with his father, Bob formed his own engineering firm known as Campbell-Sevey Inc. where he served as a president until 1997.

He also formed Cv Techserv in 1988, where he remained president until sale in 2023.

Bob was an avid fisherman, hunter, archer, and sailor and enjoyed success in all his endeavors.

Bob came to scow sailing in the mid-sixties as an accomplished National Champion Archer with the desire to learn a new sport. Unlike many of us who learned to sail competitively in cub boats, Bob learned to sail as an adult, racing on Lake Minnetonka in the challenging and often unforgiving C-Scow.

Bob’s impact on scow sailing is far-reaching. As a competitor, he won his first MYC Class C Champion by 1973, the ILYA Class C Championship by 1979 and raced in over 20 Class C Blue Chip regattas. In the Mid-1980’s, Bob sold his C Boat. But, rather than retire from sailing, Bob began racing E Scows, then A Scows, then an MC and then a Yingling. The water was his home.

As an inventor, Bob is known for having invented the Stay-Master turnbuckle. Bob was also instrumental in implementing and generating many important rigging and scantling changes that occurred in the C Class beginning in 1969 when he became Chairman of the Rules Committee. Most noteworthy was the transition to aluminum masts.

As a sportsman, Bob’s contribution to our sport is equally impressive. His generosity in sharing his time and substantial knowledge with friends, competitors and the ILYA alike is well known. When Bob became a Director of the ILYA he spent increasing amounts of time and effort to make our sport and Association better.

Bob next served tirelessly as Commodore of the ILYA in 1985-1986. Under Bob’s leadership, the MC Scow became sanctioned class. In 1998, the ILYA honored Bob’s commitment and contribution to sailing when it dedicated the ILYA Yearbook in his honor.

Bob enjoyed raising litters of English Springers and Brittanys for hunting, and over the years had a number of these as household pets. He and his wife, Sandy, enjoyed their time together sailing, fishing, completing multiple projects together at their Florida home, and attending countless sporting and musical events for their grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 31 years Sandra Nelson Sevey; children Kathy (Tom) Larson, Jenn Thomas, Tom (Michelle) Waknitz, Tami Smits, and many treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Hoyt Alden and Sara Marguerite, sister Sally Sevey Fitt, and daughter Lynn Trombley.

Bob was well-loved and will be missed by many. His life was just so very big. In lieu of flowers, consider sending memorials to Lake Minnetonka Sailing School or donor’s choice.

Funeral service to be held Monday, August 24 11AM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 322 2nd St, Excelsior. Visitation 1 hour prior.

Source: Inland Lake Yachting Association