He was a man known for his stunning navigation in the water. A hydroplane racer and boat mechanic for upwards of 40 years, Terry Troxell died June 6 from a massive heart attack in his Gig Harbor home. He was 61.
Troxell’s step-son, Jeff Bernard, a U-5 pilot, said Troxell was always at the dock when he completed a race.
“He was my biggest fan,” Bernard said.
Bernard, 24, remembers racing boats with Troxell from April to October. He said it was a strong father-son bond that grew with time. In 2005, they competed against each other in Bernard’s unlimited debut in the Provisional Heat on Lake Washington.
Bernard outraced Troxell by a short margin.
Troxell made countless friends with his friendly demeanor. One was Bob Schultz, who lives on Fox Island. Troxell and Schultz got to know each other through an American Powerboat Association meeting in 1988.
“He was an aggressive driver,” said Schultz, who had been a crew member for Troxell’s team numerous times. “He was one of the best.”
Troxell earned his first unlimited victory in 2001. Four years later, his career peaked when he won the U-13 APBA Gold Cup, boat racing’s biggest competition.
Troxell also has been featured in the Seafair race in Seattle on Lake Washington.
As Troxell got older, his competitiveness and love for racing grew. He became the oldest winner of the APBA when he was 58. He’s held seven world records in hydroplane racing, one of which still stands.
The week before Troxell died, he was racing on the water. He already had competed in two races this year, winning them both.
Just days before his heart attack, Troxell and Bernard watched the NHL’s Stanley Cup Finals together.
Troxell wasn’t just an excellent pilot. He was a creative artist, too. He came up with color designs for his boats and also painted murals in his younger days.
He was a two-time inductee into the prestigious APBA Hall of Champions for limited inboard racing, both in 1997 and ’98.
“Boat racing will miss Terry Troxell, a great driver and a good friend,” said Fred Farley, ABRA unlimited historian.
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