By: Scott Way
Vic Porter, industry icon and Chairmen Emeritus of Formula Boats, has passed away at the age of 90.
Formula marketing manager Scott Smith sent word throughout the industry today that Porter passed away on Sunday afternoon. He is survived by his wife, Kris, and his five sons John, Scott, Grant, Wayne, and Ted, as well as daughter Jean.
Porter's influence in boating began when he purchased Formula in 1976, along with Thunderbird and Signa, as part of a major deal with Fuqua Industries. BoatBlurb has extensively covered Porter's influence in a two-part series spanning the history of the company (you can check out Part 1 and Part 2). In 1988, the Formula brand was put in the hands of Vic's son Scott, and its headquarters were transitioned from Florida to their current home in Decatur, Indiana. The company currently builds over 20 high-performance models ranging from 24 to 50 feet and holds a sterling reputation as an industry leader.
Formula marketing manager Scott Smith sent out a touching missive, along with a note announcing a formal obituary would be forthcoming.
From Smith, "From my own perspective, I will remember Vic as the man who hired a 25-year-old English Education major who decided not to teach and wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do with his life. A week after I was hired here as a mold room assistant to the supervisor, this old guy (younger at the time than I am now), Vic Porter, came up to me on the factory floor and started a personal conversation with me. I felt special, but I wasn’t. There are probably hundreds of people who could tell you the same thing; that’s the kind of person he was. Now, 33 years later, I have to wonder how my life would have turned out if there had been no Vic Porter, and again, I’m sure hundreds of people could say the same."
We will post more information as it becomes available. Those interested in learning more about his remarkable influence can explore Formula's history page.
