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1996 | R Steven Hearn
Hearn's contributions to APBA and the sport of boat racing are many, although he never won a championship. Hearn began racing in 1957 in Indiana in ASR, BSR, 15SSR and 25SSR. In 1967 he finished second at the Nationals in ASR, the best finish of his career.
Hearn helped conduct races in the 1960s and was appointed to the Stock Outboard Commission in the early 1970s. In 1970 his son Richard was competing in JSR and won the Nationals in 1986. His daughter Beth Anne entered the Hall of Champions in 1987, and Richard followed in 1994 - APBA's first brother and sister to be inducted from different categories.
His wife Delores also helped at regattas. Hearn's biggest contribution to APBA is in the legal area. In the early 1990s, APBA was at odds with the IRS. Hearn spent many hours redeveloping the APBA structure, and writing new bylaws to resolve the issue.
To make the Junior Classes more accessible, Hearn brought the Universal Junior Classes into existence. Hearn is totally devoted to APBA, and is truly deserving of this prestigious recognition.