Gloria Melges, a beloved member of the sailing community and an esteemed race committee officer, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024. Born in New Jersey on May 27, 1931, Gloria was raised spending summers aboard a Great Lakes cruising sailboat out of Chicago, where her father served as Commodore of the Columbia Yacht Club. This upbringing sparked her lifelong passion for the water and the sport of sailing.
Gloria pursued her higher education at Northwestern University Dental School, where she graduated with honors. It was at Northwestern that she met and fell in love with Wisconsin yachtsman Harry C. “Buddy” Melges Jr. Their romance blossomed, though their time together was interrupted by Buddy’s service in the Korean War. Despite the distance, their love only deepened through the heartfelt letters they exchanged.
When Buddy returned, he proposed to Gloria, and they soon married. Their strong bond and shared passion for sailing formed the foundation of their 69-year marriage, a love for the sport they passed down to their three children: Laura, Harry III, and Hans. Throughout their seven decades together, Gloria was a steadfast supporter of Buddy’s illustrious career, cheering him on both on and off the water.
Gloria’s impact extended beyond her family. She broke barriers as the first female Commodore of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, showcasing her trailblazing spirit. Her significant contributions to the sport included serving as a crew member in Classes A, E, and C, and holding esteemed roles as a Race Committee member and Principal Race Officer for Lake Geneva Yacht Club fleets. She also contributed at national and international events such as the Star Class World Championship, Pan American Games, and America’s Cup.
In recognition of her outstanding service, Gloria was the inaugural recipient of the Huse Inland Lake Yachting Association Sportsmanship Trophy in November 2019. She also received honors as a US Sailing Senior Race Officer and an Inland Lake Sailing Association Senior Race Officer. Her remarkable contributions were further acknowledged with the Ed Malone Judges Trophy as Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Committee/Judge of the Year, the Bilge Pullers Cannon as Outstanding Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Management Corps Volunteer, and twice with the Dr. and Mrs. Will F. Lyon Award for Outstanding Race Committee Service from the Lake Geneva Yacht Club.
Many sailors considered Gloria a “second mom,” thanks to the warm and welcoming sailing community she fostered worldwide. She loved hosting international competitors at their home on Geneva Lake, helping young sailors thrive and develop a lifelong love for the sport. Her nurturing spirit left a legacy in the sailing world.
Outside of sailing, Gloria’s passion for crafts led her to participate in sewing, rosemaling, and rug-hooking clubs. She also served as President of the Questers Association, forming lasting friendships through these activities.
Gloria is survived by her three children, Laura Melges, Hans Melges, and Harry C. Melges III (Suzanne), as well as her grandchildren, Olivia Arbaugh, Hunter Arbaugh, Harry C. Melges IV, Monroe Melges, Hans Melges, Maxx Melges, and Maverik Melges. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Clemons “Buddy” Melges Jr., her brother, Dr. Alfred “Boody” Wenzel, her sister-in-law, Marilyn Snudden, and her parents, Alfred and Laura Wenzel. Family was at the heart of Gloria’s life, and she will always be remembered for her infectious smile, welcoming nature, and deep love for Buddy.
Gloria will be deeply missed, but her gracious spirit will continue to sail on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
To honor Gloria’s memory, donations can be made to the Geneva Lake Sailing School in the name of the Buddy Melges Sailing Center at 1250 South Lake Shore Drive, Fontana, WI 53125.
A Celebration of Life for Gloria and Buddy will be held this fall.
