Al Spalding (naval architect)

Spalding was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to Roland Spalding and Esther Amsden, their second of two children, following his sister Carolyn. Carolyn died in 2019, aged 91.[1]

He grew up in nearby Leominster, graduating from Leominster High School. He then studied technical drawing at Worcester Trade School and graduated from the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology.[2]

During World War II, Spalding was a staff sergeant in the United States Army, serving in Germany with the 1st Division.[2]

Spalding began working for John G. Alden, Inc., in Boston, where he spent fifteen years as a naval architect.[3] He became the firm's chief designer. He was also principal partner with Andel Associates, Lowell and Spalding[4] and Marbridge Associates, as well as working with John Gilbert and Ted Hood. He also worked as a marine consultant and led courses teaching naval architecture and marine surveying, and was self-employed for a period.[2]

Several of Spalding's designs were featured in national and international magazines and journals.[2]

• 
  The Spalding-designed Lilly B, a ferry that runs between South Freeport, Maine, and nearby Bustins Island

Spalding married Sue Crabtree, with whom he had two sons: Sam and Andy.[2]

He was a lifelong summer resident of Bustins Island, Maine,[5] for whose village committee his wife is the clerk. It is believed his passion for boats was formed there.[2]

Spalding was a keen musician. He was banjo player with the Royal River Philharmonic Jazz Band for almost thirty years, and was a regular listener of WYAR, a heritage radio station in Yarmouth, Maine.[2]

Spalding died in 2022, aged 89.[2]