This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about Ralph Evinrude, the outboard motor magnate and husband of singing star Frances Langford. He is profiled by writer Donna Crary in the summer issue of Indian River Magazine. Married in 1955, Ralph and Frances lived at her Jensen Beach estate, cruised aboard his 118-foot yacht “Chanticleer” and together owned The Outrigger resort on the Indian River Lagoon. Ralph – an easy-going fellow – had many friends on the Treasure Coast. The son of Ole Evinrude, inventor of the outboard motor, Ralph put together and skippered Outboard Marine Corporation, maker of Evinrude and Johnson motors. He died in 1986 at age 78. Frances told The Palm Beach Post, “He was such a sweet man, a kind man. Different from the people in Hollywood.” I’m Paul Janensch.
Remembering Ralph Evinrude
