Archives West Finding Aid

Norman C. Blanchard was born in 1911, the third generation in a family of mariners and boat builders. His father founded the Blanchard Boat Company in 1905. As a youth, Norman spent his spare time on the Seattle waterfront and after graduating from Roosevelt High School he worked alongside his father at the family boat yard. Almost 2,000 boats were built at the Blanchard Boat Company over its 60 year history, including commercial ships, classic motor cruisers and sailing yachts, some of which are still in use today. Following his father’s death in 1954, Norman became the president of Blanchard Boat Company. He married Eunice Scholl in 1935, and their son Norman J. Blanchard III was born in 1945. Eunice Scholl Blanchard died in 1985.

In the 1970s, Norman C. Blanchard was appointed to the National Boating Safety Council and served as president of the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society. He was active in sail boat racing and known for his extensive maritime knowledge of the Pacific Northwest. He co-authored the book “Knee Deep in Shavings” with Steve Wilen, published in 1999. Norman C. Blanchard was a member of the Seattle Yacht Club since 1938 and served on the Board of Directors. He participated on several boat show committees and joined the Northwest Marine Industries at the first meeting held by the organization.

Norman C. Blanchard married his second wife Mary Barnard in 1991. The Barnard and Blanchard families were long-time boating friends, and the couple enjoyed cruising Puget Sound with other members of the Seattle Yacht Club. Norman C. Blanchard passed away on July 9, 2009 at the age of 98. Mary Barnard Blanchard died in Redmond, Washington on January 18, 2013.