Friends of Richard Pindell are hosting a concert at the Palindrome on Saturday to benefit the Port Townsend resident who is currently fighting stage 4 cancer.

“I had the original idea,” said Pete Gillis, “and – lucky for me – I told Kim [Meehan-Roulst], who happens to be unstoppable.”

Gillis and Meehan-Roulst have brought together local musicians and organized a silent auction and a raffle to help raise money for Pindell’s past and future medical bills. The event is 7 p.m., Saturday, March 18 at 1893 S. Jacob Miller Road.

A graduate of Port Townsend High School Class of 1983, Pindell managed a boatyard in Point Hudson for many years, and later invented the H2Out system for biofuels, creating jobs as a result of his innovative skills, said Meehan-Roulst.

“I’ve known Richard since I was a kid,” she said. “He graduated with my brother.

“Rich has always just been kind of a brother.”

Gillis, a ship’s captain who now lives in the Seattle area, was a seventh-grader at PTHS when Pindell was a senior in ’83. “I just knew him as a giant,” said Gillis, who became friends with Pindell later in life, connecting through boats and sailing.

For the concert, Gillis booked Sam Maynard’s band, 4-3-2 Retro, and 14-year-old Anika Pearl, a singer-songwriter who is accompanied by her father, Aki Avelino. Doug Warren, of Three Chords and the Truth, is doing sound.

“I’m very touched by all the generosity of the Port Townsend community,” said Gillis.

The event also includes a silent auction for items from local merchants (winners are to be announced at 9:15 p.m.) and a raffle for a table saw. Cider and wine from Eaglemount Winery and Cider are available for purchase. Admission is $15 at the door.

“We’re hoping to get a good turnout,” said Meehan-Roulst.

Those who can’t attend the event but would still like to support Pindell can donate online at 

gofundme.com/support-richard-pindell.