News
Christopher Aiden Welsh
March 6, 1963 - March 15, 2021
You were a flashing lighthouse light in a world often blanketed with storms. May you rest in peace.
This past week we lost a true legend with the sudden passing of Chris Welsh. A man of many passions, who accomplished more in a week than most in a year, he was a modern day Leonardo da Vinci — in business, on the water, and in the air.
On the water, he was the proud owner, restorer, and skipper of Ragtime, a Spencer 65 which he raced to overall wins in The LA-Tahiti race and a division win in the Sydney-Hobart, along with many Transpacs and races in his home ports of San Francisco Bay and Newport Beach. Chris purchased Cheyenne, the one-time Jules Verne record-breaking Playstation, from Steve Fossett, to continue his underwater exploration, using Cheyenne as the mothership for his submarine project, Pentarius, dedicated to exploring the five oceans and committed to doing environmental and scientific research. His most recent adventure was the recommissioning of L’Hydroptere, the speed-breaking trimaran, alongside his partner Gabriel Terrasse, who will continue the project.
In air, his type ratings included single-engine, multi-engine, glider, rotor, sea-plane; and he was in the final stages of getting his Citation rating.
In business, alongside his long-term real estate investments in California, Arizona, Nevada and more recently South Dakota, his maritime acquisitions included SugarDock Wharf and Boardwalk Marina at Brickyard Cove in Pt. Richmond, and DeepFlight, a submersible company.
In love, he had a true life partner in Tina Roberts. Her support allowed the 50% of his 150% work effort; and as a motorcyclist, airplane pilot, and sub pilot, her skills (almost) equaled his. Chris was perhaps proudest on his final day, watching her sailing her laser, while their dog Cooper swum after her.
Chris is survived by his spouse, Tina, his parents Sally and Terri, his brother Doug, sister-in-law Mary and nieces and nephew Britt, Becca and Charlie, and his dog Cooper, alongside his many business partners, sailing and boating crew, and every adventurer, explorer, and sailor he’d met in the world, who instantly became his friend.
BACKGROUND
Early Life
Memberships
Sailing
Submarines
Maritime Business
