December 2, 2018 — (SEATTLE) The world of hydroplane racing has lost one of its legendary former boat owners with the passing of David Heerensperger at the age of 82.
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| Dave Heerensperger in 1971 |
Heerensperger died of complications from a medical procedure. Members of his family were at his bedside.
Born in Longview, Washington on June 5, 1936, Heerensperger's foray into the business world began in Longview, Washington in 1959 when businessmen Stan Thurman and Bob Grover of T&T Electric set him up in a store in Spokane, Washington called Eagle Electric and Plumbing.
In 1969, Eagle Electric and Plumbing, was acquired by Pay 'n Pak, which was founded by Thurman. A year later, a rift developed between Thurman, Heerensperger and another longtime T&T employee, John Headley. Thurman left the group.
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| Dave Heerensperger, with Mickey Remund, in 1973 |
In 1969 Heerensperger became chairman and CEO of Pay 'n Pak. He grew it to more than 30 stores throughout the western United States. After a hostile takeover attempt, Heerensperger retired from Pay 'n Pak in November 1989.
After his retirement from the Pay 'n Pak stores, Heerensperger developed Eagle Hardware and Garden, a west coast big box hardware store. He was chairman from 1989 to 1997 and it was sold 1997 to Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse for an estimated $1 billion.
Never one to slow down, Heerensperger then founded and was chairman of World Lighting & Design based in Bellevue, Washington.
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| Dave Heerensperger, with George Henley and Jim Lucero, in 1974 |
During his life he invested in seven different unlimited hydroplanes including the 1968 "Miss Eagle Electric," the iconic 1973 "Pay 'n Pak," and in the 1980s campaigned the first turbine-powered hydroplane to win a H1 Unlimited Hydroplane race.
Between 1968 and 1982, Heerensperger’s team won 25 races, including two prestigious American Power Boat Association Gold Cups, and three National High Point Championships. In 1973, the "Pay 'n Pak" set a world lap speed record of 126.760 m.p.h. on a 3-mile course on Seattle’s Lake Washington with Mickey Remund driving.
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| Dave Heerensperger, with John Walters, in 1981 |
The Heerensperger dynasty also had its dark side. Two drivers were fatally injured in hydroplane accidents–Warner Gardner in 1968 with the second "Miss Eagle Electric" and Tommy Fults in 1970 with "Pay 'n Pak."
In his early years, Heerensperger was an avid fast pitch softball player and hockey player, and sponsored highly successful semi-pro softball teams in the Spokane and Seattle. In addition to H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes, Heerensperger and his Pay 'n Pak stores sponsored NHRA dragsters.
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| Dave Heerensperger, with Jim Lucero, in 2004 |
In his later years, he became involved in the world of thoroughbred racing and became a successful owner and breeder. Heerensperger and then-wife Jill first became involved in racing after purchasing a trip to the 1980 Kentucky Derby at a charity auction. They reached the Derby as owners in 2001 with GI Toyota Blue Grass S. winner Millennium Wind (Cryptoclearance). Trained by David Hofmans, the $1.2-million Keeneland September purchase was 11th in the Run for the Roses that year.
He was also reported to be a significant investor in Emerald Downs race track near Auburn, Washington.