Grant Alan Settlemier

1932 - 2024

Grant Settlemier
04/30/1932 - 11/03/2024
Grant Alan Settlemier passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side, on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at their home on the Marina Boulevard, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Joni Clute Settlemier; his daughter, Manon Settlemier Baze, of Marion, MA; his daughter, Stacey Stroh Bruns, and spouse, Keith Bruns, of Mill Valley, CA; his daughter, Pilar Settlemier Tumolo, of Sun Valley, ID; his sister-in-law, Marlene Settlemier, of Piedmont, CA; and his five grandchildren, William, John, Simone, Audrey and Aly, who all knew him affectionately as "Skipper."
Grant was born on April 30, 1932, in San Francisco, son of Weston Harold Settlemier and Mary Louise Lucas; and brother to Brock Reid Settlemier (1934-2013). He attended Grant Grammar School, and graduated president of his class from Lowell High School in 1950. He attended Dartmouth College, and graduated from University of California at Berkeley in 1954, with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. After serving in the United States Army from 1954-1956, at Fort Winfield Scott, in the Presidio, he earned a Masters of Foreign Trade in 1958, at Thunderbird American Institute of International Business, majoring in Spanish and International Economics. Upon graduating, Grant joined Vision Inc., an international business/news publisher in Mexico City. While abroad, he travelled throughout Latin America and developed a passion for the Mexican culture that lasted a lifetime.
He moved to New York City in 1960, to pursue a career in finance. He joined Smith Barney in 1963. He was instrumental in opening the San Francisco office in 1965. During his 40 years at Smith Barney as a financial consultant and Senior Vice President, he built a financial advisory business, established The Institutional Client Group, and was named a life member to the Presidents Club. He retired in 2003, yet remained steadfast in reading the Wall Street Journal and San Francisco Chronicle daily, researching stocks until the day he died.
Grant was proud to be a fifth generation Californian. He was a lifetime member of the Society of California Pioneers, the oldest historical association in California. He served as President (1986-1988), and he was on the Board of Governors for several years managing their investment portfolio. He was a true San Franciscan, and especially loved the Presidio. He lived alongside the park most his life. He spent his childhood at the Julius Kahn Playground, playing basketball. While in the army, his Presidio office overlooked the Golden Gate Bridge. His beloved St. Francis Yacht Club is located adjacent, and the Society of California Pioneers' headquarters was located on the main parade grounds. He served as volunteer at the San Francisco Maritime Museum Association and was a Guardsman.
Grant will be remembered as an avid sailor and for his "Love of the Sea." He surfed as a kid, sailed as an adult, power-boated as an elder, and throughout his life, maintained a true sense of stewardship by his daily viewing of the San Francisco Bay. Grant was 35 years old when he first crewed on a Knarr, a 30-foot one design racing boat. Within the next year, he joined the San Francisco Yacht Club in 1968, bought a Knarr and never missed a Wednesday night race. Grant was a member of the International Knarr Association and competed in the International Knarr Championships in Norway, Denmark, and San Francisco for 40 years. He won numerous Knarr, Interclub and International races. He is a three-time winner of the St. Francis Yacht Club Intra-Club Regatta, and the winner of the 1996 Knarr Cup. He will always be remembered as the captain of Adelante 125 and Adelante 130, and his powerboats, Chico and Tango.
Grant and Joni were ardent fans of The America's Cup. They followed the Cup to competitions in San Diego, New Zealand, Australia and Spain. Additionally, they chartered boats extensively in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, South America and the South Pacific. They also adventure-traveled to remote parts of the world. Highlights include bungee-jumping from the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in New Zealand, whitewater boating on the KangaKut River in Alaska, and flying with the Chilean Air force into the Russian base in Antarctica while exploring the Arctic Ocean.
Most significantly, Grant and Joni considered the St. Francis Yacht Club to be a home away from home. They were devoted to doing whatever they could to enhance the club and its operations, and they dedicated themselves to building its traditions, membership and community standing. He was an active member for 57 years, and he was a Staff Commodore, having served as Commodore in 1995. He served on the Board of Directors for 7 years, and as Chairman of the Board in 1991. He served on numerous committees, and he was very active in recruiting new members. His major contributions include creating these annual events: The Commodore's Cruise, Opening Day Parade, Cinco De Mayo Celebration, The Decorated Boat Parade, and Light up the Marina Boulevard. He served as a board member of the St. Francis Sailing Foundation, and he was passionate about inspiring young sailors. He enjoyed bringing his family to StFYC Tinsley Island for over 5 decades. Yet, most importantly, the club is where he met Joni at the Big Boat Series in 1979. In his own words, she was the "love of his life," and she fulfilled his every dream, supported him in all his interests and with whom he shared day by day enjoyment.
To know Grant was to love him. He loved his family, and he was devoted to his friends. His passion for the Warriors and the 49ers will live on. The infamous Knarr Bar will remain open for a shot of Ron Castillo. A part of his heart can always be found in the things and places he loved most – royal blue, Mariachi music, Kiahuna in Kauai, classic Cadillacs, tango dancing, the American flag and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge on the beautiful San Francisco Bay.
Stay on Starboard!
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 12:30 PM, at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Grant's memory can be sent to the St. Francis Sailing Foundation. The St. Francis Sailing Foundation provides grants to non-profit and other sailing organizations throughout the country that provide training, clinics and classes, which allow sailors to aspire to the highest level of participation and competition. St. Francis Sailing Foundation, 150 Sutter St., P.O. Box 551, San Francisco, CA 94104, or General Information info@stfsf.org