Education
He graduated Scarsdale High School and attended Cornell University.
He graduated Scarsdale High School and attended Cornell University.
Born in New York City in 1909 Stephens and his family moved to Scarsdale, New New York In 1928 Stephens left Cornell University to join the well-respected Henry Nevins boatyard in City Island, New New York He was the first mate aboard Dorade for her 1931 Transport-Atlantic and Fastnet Race triumphs, repeating those victories as the skipper of Stormy Weather in 1933. In addition to the above notable racing, he cruised and raced hundreds of thousands of miles throughout the world as the chief inspector for South&South and he had the final word on numerous details during the construction and sea trials of more than 2,000 South&South-designed sailing and motor yachts.
A trophy is awarded annually by the Cruising Club of America in Stephens" honor.
The Rod Stephens Trophy is awarded for an act of seamanship which significantly contributes to the safety of a yacht, or one or more individuals at sea.
He was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the New York Yacht Club, the American Yacht Club, a former Commodore of the Cruising Club of America and a winner of its Blue Water Medal, a member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club (United Kingdom), a former Commodore of the Storm Trysail Club, a former Commodore of the Office Soundings Club—North American Station, a former Post Captain of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club, an honorary member of the United States Naval Academy Fales Committee, Chairman of the New Ship Committee of the Sea Education Association, a member of Mystic Seaport Museum, and the National Maritime Historical Society"s WAVETREE Foundation. He received the Medal of Freedom, the United States"s highest civilian award, for his contributions during World World War II in his design and engineering of the DUKW ("duck") military amphibious vehicle. In 1937 he was in the afterguard of the J-Class Ranger for her successful defense of the America"s Cup. In 1958 and 1964 he served in the afterguard of the Sparkman & Stephens designed 12-metre class yachts COLUMBIA and CONSTELLATION for two more successful defenses of the America"s Cup.
