Dave Christensen, the founder of Vancouver, Wash.-based Christensen Shipyards, died Oct. 15. He was 87.
Christensen was a successful real-estate developer when he retired at age 50 and commissioned a 95-foot yacht from Westport Shipyards in Washington, according to The Columbian newspaper. After the maiden voyage, Christensen reportedly decided he could build a better yacht and started his next career.
Christensen began building boats in 1983 in part because he didn’t want to be bored in retirement.
Christensen Shipyards expanded in 2006, building a second plant in Tennessee. In 2009, Christensen stepped away from the company, leaving its leadership to his stepson.
