Loch and Clare: An Incredible Pair!
By Marshall Lubin

 Loch Crane was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 22, 1921. His parents with a dude ranch in mind, made a detour to Cody Wyoming before immigrating to San Diego in 1929 where they settled around Point Loma.

An avid sailor from his earliest years Loch began modifying skiffs to make them sail better, and faster. He began sailing Starlets, Dragons, Luters, and the occasional PC. His parents joined the San Diego Yacht Club in the early years; he has been a member since.

In his youth, Loch could always be seen drawing and working with his hands which was early training for his future profession as an architect. Splitting his time between Phoenix and Wisconsin as an apprentice to the famed Frank Lloyd Wright in the early forties, Loch was introduced to Clare, his future bride by Mr. Wright. Loch left his studies to join the war effort against Japan after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.

In the service, Loch was a flight instructor, teaching nascent pilots how to fly B25 bombers.

In 1944, he and Clare married in San Diego, They then moved to Texas, where Loch was stationed. After the war, the Cranes’ flew (yes, I know) to San Diego, their home town. Soon afterward, they moved north to L.A. where Loch was enrolled in an architectural program. In a collaboration of his brains and manual dexterity, Loch graduated Cum Laude from USC. Back to San Diego, he was responsible for the design of numerous city buildings, private residences and commercial buildings. In 2001 Loch retired from his design practice and began playing full time … to include volunteering and supporting Challenged America.

Early on, Clare learned Loch’s enthusiasm for water sports and urged him to sail with friends. Unfortunately, Clare was struck with motion sickness at an early age and soon became a sailing widow. Busy with her own studies and work, Clare didn’t mind meeting Loch on the dock after a day on the bay.

In the 1980′s Loch sailed a 32′ sloop he owned to Hawaii. Reporting that trip as one of his most memorable times at sea, Loch still reminisces about that transoceanic voyage. Soon afterwards, Clare and Loch went to Europe to investigate the inland waterways of the continent. There, they purchased a 32′ Dutch canal boat that they sailed during the summer months, and then left in a marina in Europe. Returning for the next three summers, the touring couple celebrated their golden years cruising the rivers of many European countries. Their enjoyment of that boat (named “Dolphin”) was immense; Loch and Clare had it shipped to San Diego where it is slipped today, although, not currently under Loch’s ownership.

Loch has been a close friend of Urban since 1999, and is a founding supporter of Challenged America where he has donated over $250,000 in cash, equipment and vessels, not to mention all the repairs, modifications and adaptations on/for sailboats he personally worked on. Loch was responsible for purchasing at least 5 of CA’s 8 Martin 16′s. In earlier days Loch could be found working to maintain the boats in CA’s corral. Today he is a recipient of CA’s programs, where he enjoys sailing the Martins weekly.

In 2003 when engineers and helpers came to San Diego to help modify Challenged America’s Tripp 40 racing sailboat “B’Quest I” for a disabled crew to sail the 2003 Transpac Race to Hawaii, the Crane’s offered to house them in their La Jolla home, while they labored for weeks on “B’Quest.”

In 2004 when Urban fell ill and required a kidney transplant, Loch and Clare visited him in the hospital in Portland, Oregon. A close friendship growing stronger each year.

Loch states he’s ‘worked with many charitable organizations in San Diego throughout his life, but none compares to Challenged America. “It far outstrips any organization I’ve worked for, ten times over.” During the years when the therapeutic sailing program has fallen behind or needed a hand, Loch was always there with a check, wanting to make sure the office was open; the boats were ship-shape and ready to sail. Today the Challenged America program is like a second home to Loch where he is loved and admired by those that share his unselfish admiration for Challenged America

In respect for the unlimited giving, friendship, and support of the Crane’s the upcoming Martin 16 regatta will be known as the “Loch & Clare Crane Martin 16 Regatta.”

Loch claims there is no truth to the rumor that his older brother’s name is Ickabod.

Editor’s Comment: Often Challenged America supporters and sponsors do not realize that one day they too may need one or more of the services provided by Challenged America and the Disabled Businesspersons Association. Loch Crane is but one of many examples where, once a supporter and sponsor, today he is an active program participant in Challenged America, sailing weekly in the Martin 16 sailboat. “Live long enough and you too will be one of us.” And when that happens, with your continued support we will be here for you too, or someone you love, when you need us the most.