A Legacy of Water and Wind: Joseph's Sailing Story
For the Guinter family, a love of the water runs deep. It began with Dr. William “Grandpa Bill” Guinter, who grew up on a small lake in Akron, Ohio. As a boy, he spent nearly every free moment near the water - sailing, fishing, and water-skiing. He even worked at a marina and built his first sailboat in his basement, though it turned out to be too large to fit up the stairs!
Bill went on to earn a baseball scholarship, teach high school literature, and later complete a doctorate in psychology. But no matter where life took him, he always returned to the water. He raced sailboats, took his family on long camping trips filled with boating adventures, and eventually bought his dream sailboat, The Reverie. For more than two decades, he ran boating and water-safety programs at his marina on Lake Erie - sharing his passion with others - especially his family.
That passion has carried through generations. Bill’s sons inherited his love for the water, and their children grew up with that same spark. “My husband has so many wonderful memories from those summers,” said Kris Guinter, Bill’s daughter-in-law. “I always wanted our kids to experience the same joy.”
As Grandpa Bill’s health began to decline, Kris looked for ways for their youngest son, Joseph, to feel connected to him. When she discovered Green Bay Sail & Paddle (GBSP) at a Kids Day event, she knew it was meant to be. Joseph joined GBSP’s STEM Camp - with help from their scholarship program.
“He loved the hands-on projects that explained the physics behind sailing,” Kris shared. “Even four years later, he still talks about what he learned.”
Joseph’s sailing journey continued through GBSP’s Narwhal program, where he made friends, learned from dedicated staff like Larry, and even brought along a friend to share the experience. “His favorite part was sailing and racing with his friends,” Kris said.
Through Green Bay Sail & Paddle, Joseph not only discovered a new passion - he also found a living connection to his grandfather’s legacy.
“I can’t thank your program enough,” Kris added. “You gave Joseph something truly special - memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.”
