A Visit With Past Captains

I recently became a member of the Seattle Seafair Pirates. My desire to become a pirate started as a youngster. As a child I remember the pirates dragging those awesome, noisy, and scary swords down the street. They frightened me a little, but more importantly, they looked like they were having fun. I guess my desire to sail the seven seas with these scallywags was my destiny. The Seafair Pirates go, see, and do so many great things that I am proud to be a part of this organization.

I now know some of the men responsible for scaring me as a kid. These men have been pirates for decades. The leader of the pirates is known as Captain Kidd. These men have many stories to tell about Seafair history, as they make Seafair history. Since we can't tell each captains story, I have asked the active past captains to give you the highlights from their Seafair year as Captain Kidd.

BOB GRUBB - Captain Kidd 1975
Bob joined the pirates in 1964. He earned the nicknames "Grubby" and "Captain Disaster". Bob recalls his Seafair was almost a disaster because at the beginning of Seafair they tore off Moby Duck's cabin, broke her drive shaft, and even lost her rear end !!! The crew had to travel to events by Taxi, and spend every free moment working on Moby Duck. The hard work paid off as Moby Duck was fixed and ready for the Torchlight Parade.

MARV LILLOUIST - Captain Kidd 1976
Marv, like Bob, also joined the pirates in 1964. Marv was nicknamed "Captain Marv-L". Marv's first day as captain was on the Pirates Landing. He looked sharp dressed in a new $1,000 dollar captains costume. However, on this day Marv's bravery took him too close to a Seattle Fire Boat. You guessed it. Marv-L had to land wearing a "wet-suit"!!!

DICK MUNSELL - Captain Kidd 1978
Dick started as a pirate in 1965. Dick's nicknames are "Captain Whippy", and is known best as "Captain Hook". During Dicks Seafair Moby Duck was again out of commission. Dick was able to get an old bus (Moby Bus) during Seafair. They even used Moby bus in a few parades. However, Dick's crew was diligent in working on Moby Duck and they had her fixed and running great in time for the Torchlight Parade. One other highlight for Dick was that he was honored with a ride above Seattle in a blimp.

FRANK KANE - Captain Kidd 1979
Frank became a pirate in 1971 and was known as "Captain Cobra". Franks best memory as captain was a joke he played on another pirate. The other pirate played a trumpet that had sentimental value. Captain Cobra bought an identical trumpet and waited until the time was right to catch him off guard. Captain Cobra seized the moment and began beating on this "stunt" trumpet. He then dropped the trumpet and had Moby Duck drive over the instrument. The other pirate saw this and was definitely caught off guard. What a joke the snake pulled off !

BOB SALONEN - Captain Kidd 1980
Bobs real name is Norman, but likes his nickname "Salami" much better. Bob's highlight was pulling off the "Great Raid". The plan was known by only a few people. Captain Salami and his crew raided the last 30 seconds of the televised Seafair Queen Coronation. Even the security guards didn't know what was happening when the pirates stormed in and captured the royalty for an exciting ending to the program.

GARY VANCE - Captain Kidd 1989
After being Davy Jones in 1992, Gary decided to become a member of the Seafair Pirates. Since Gary was a Dee-Jay the pirates nicknamed him "The Cluck". After becoming Captain Kidd he was nicknamed "Captain No Fun". But the crew did have fun. They Flew a Seattle Seafair Pirate Flag from the top of the Smith Tower during Seafair. They then proceeded to the Pirates Landing where half the crew attacked the beach by sea and the other half attacked by land. Pirates were attacking from everywhere which caught everybody off guard. What a plan !!!

GARY KUHN - Captain Kidd 1991
Gary joined the pirates in 1973 and became known as "Igor". Because of his love for fire arms and the insignia on his hat he earned the nick name "Captain Boom - Boom Cadillac". Gary and the crew were completely surprised when Moby Duck was pulled over by the Seattle Police. This was set up by only two crew members and everybody got a chuckle from the ticket stating "you've been had by the SPD, (Seattle Police Dept.) " This was also the first time that everyone in the Seafair Family got together after the Torchlight parade as guests of the Seattle Seafair Pirates.


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