Daniel R. Reichelsdorfer

Daniel Reichelsdorfer had a passion for sailing that took him around the world, but it was sailing with his family and friends on the Great Lakes that brought him the most joy. Reichelsdorfer died peacefully in his sleep September 3, 2021 of complications of diabetes. He was 56.
Reichelsdorfer was born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 8, 1965. The family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before settling in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in 1969. Reichelsdorfer learned to sail as a member of Sheboygan's Sea Scout Ship 5050, instilling in him a love for the sport shared by his family. As a child he spent summers with his family on Lake Michigan cruising to Door County and Canada's North Channel on their C&C 35 Arktos.
A 1983 graduate of Sheboygan South High School, Reichelsdorfer attended the Westlawn School of Yacht Design & Naval Architecture, and designed boats in his spare time throughout his life.
Reichelsdorfer and his former wife Michou welcomed their daughter Molly in 2003. They lived at their lakefront home in Sheboygan, always with faithful Labrador and golden retrievers. They enjoyed racing their 19-foot Lightning sailboat Silent Movie and traveled the world participating in international Lightning regattas.
Reichelsdorfer was employed as a project manager and yacht captain for the Santa Cruz 70 sailboats Cynosure and Evolution, which could be often seen sailing off the Sheboygan lakefront. Reichelsdorfer traveled to New Zealand for the 1999-2000 America's Cup, working aboard the 75-foot power catamaran Northstar, which served as an on-water platform for ESPN and TV New Zealand broadcasters.
He was well-respected in the sailing community as both an expert and a mentor to other sailors, freely sharing his knowledge of the sport and boat repair. The skills made him an asset to any crew, including the Slingshot project, an attempt in the late 1980s to break the world's sailing speed record.
Reichelsdorfer served as the president of the Great Lakes 70 Class Association. He received many trophies and awards for sailing, including the coveted Double Old Goat award for sailing more than 25 Chicago-Mackinac races and 25 Port Huron-Mackinac races.
He is survived by his daughter Molly Reichelsdorfer, former wife Michou Reichelsdorfer, father Peter Reichelsdorfer, sisters Greta (Bill) Schanen, Sarah Reichelsdorfer and brother Richard (Erin Schanen) Reichelsdorfer. He is further survived by his nephews Will and Jack Schanen. He was preceded in death by his mother Patricia Reichelsdorfer.
A celebration of life is planned for October 3, 2021 at the Sheboygan Yacht Club from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. with remembrances being shared starting at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Reichelsdorfer's name to Sheboygan Sea Scout Ship 5050 or the American Diabetes Association.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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