Results 1 to 10 of 308

Thread: In memory of racers no longer with us:

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Team Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Naples, Fl.
    Posts
    98
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Wayne, One thing about Steve that was different is that Steve had opinions, and he expressed them freely, I could give you a testimonial. Hans was more diplomatic, but they were both full of good stories. Steve and I created some of them in our boat racing adventures. I'm at a loss, I can't comprehend not seeing or talking to him anymore. I need to know how he died, I hope we will know soon.
    Thanks Ron Hill, crewman060 thanked for this post
    Likes jrome, Master Oil Racing Team liked this post

  2. #2
    David Weaver David Weaver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Alpharetta, GA
    Posts
    196
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Beyond losing a friend, I am most saddened that I did not get to thank Steve for all he did for me. I was able to compete in numerous events, because he burned the midnight oil getting my engines ready. He knew that I always wanted to have a back up engine and would even make sure that I had the "second bullet" if necessary. He also understood that I preferred to finish as many heats as possible, rather than being the absolute fastest. So, he would set up my engines "middle of the road".

    I am still saddened, but looking back on so many great times brings a big smile!

  3. #3
    Team Member Master Oil Racing Team's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sandia, Texas
    Posts
    3,831
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    David are you still in Austin? Joe and I talked a couple of days ago about getting together with you for lunch or something in memory of Steve. The Bad Eyed Cat or something like that that had a runabout hanging on the wall.



  4. #4
    BoatRacingFacts VIP racingfan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Bradford , Illinois
    Posts
    1,345
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Special Paint Schemes

    The Gessler and Thirlby Automotive race teams have donned special paint schemes this year to honor Ed Thirlby Sr and Rick Saver who recently passed away. Derrick Gessler has named his runabout the Saver Special in honor of Rick and Andrew Thirlby's runabout will have the paint scheme used by grandpa Ed Sr in his racing days. A fine tribute !!!
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Likes F-12 liked this post

  5. #5
    Team MSR
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Durham, Ct.
    Posts
    67
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default John Yale

    John Yale died peacefully on Monday at his home in Meriden, Ct. The wake is Saturday from 2:00 - 5:00 at the Wallingford Funeral Home in Wallingford, Ct.

    John started racing in the C and D stock hydro class in the late 50's. After a stint in the Navy, he got serious about boat racing. He won the highly competitive CSH National Championship in 1969 and 1970. He and his partner in crime, Franny Petrillo branched out into AOH. He then started driving DOH for Dick O'Dea, winning Depue in 1973. He also won the 850 hydro Nationals in the late 1970's.

    In 1974 he stared building Yale Boats. He built hydro's for all classes of Stock, Mod and Alky. His boats were some of the finest built boats of the day. They won many championships, set many records and won thousands of races. He built boats until the mid 1980's.

    After boat racing, John and his son (John Jr.) got into Stock Car Racing. All I can say is that he made the Tech Inspectors work real hard.....

    John was a huge influence on my racing and many racers over the years.

    Race In Peace John
    Thanks Ron Hill thanked for this post
    Likes Ron Hill liked this post

  6. #6
    Administrator Ron Hill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Tustin, California
    Posts
    3,407
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Kenny Soller OMC Tech

    Soller, Kenny OMC Tech

    Kenny Soller worked on OMC Race Team 1968-74. Probably the fastest working mechanic I have known.

    He changed a broken carburetor minutes before the start of the 1970 Paris Race on Alan Yaw's/Johnson entry. Johnnie Sanders and Tommy Posey went on to win the race.

    Kenny died in April, 2004 from an inoperable brain tumor. Michael J Gwaltney

  7. #7
    Administrator Ron Hill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Tustin, California
    Posts
    3,407
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Don and Judy Henrich

    Judy has also passed.

    DAH Propellers: Donald A. Henrich

    For Obituary and details google: Donald A Henrich Portage, WI
    Don died March 15th @88. He had lung cancer and had been under treatment for almost three years.
    Although Don would describe himself as a "blacksmith" he was known for designing a new generation of propellers for Outboard Marine. This talented man was a major contributor to the success of Johnson and Evinrude outboards on race circuits around the world.
    One year at the Parker Enduro his propeller design didn't work. The day before the race each propeller was heated cherry red with a torch and the blades bent to Don's satisfaction. None of the propellers failed in six hours of competition.
    Services will be held Monday March 21, 2016 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Hwy 33 East, Portage WI. Visitation will be from 10am to 12, with services to follow.

    ADD:

    Ron Hill Don was a pretty good old boy. I spent a lot of time in Europe with him and his wife, Judy, back in the late '60's and '70's. Johnny Woods from St. Louis, was Don's stock broker in the old days. When Johnny took Radio Shack public, Don got in on the ground floor of the stock. It wasn't long after that he quit work at OMC. Johnny made tons of money on the deal, he bought a Ferrari with some of the money. I never saw it, but Don told me the license plate said, "TANDY". I had just won the D Runabout Nationals in Beloit, and on Monday stopped at OMC to pick up my twin engine Jones. Don and I got to talking, I said measure my two best props would you. So, he measured one and said, "It was an 11, nice prop he said." (A Grandpa Seebold). Then, I gave him the second prop, he said, "Wow this thing really screwed up, one blade is 13 and the other is an 11, want me to fix if for you?" I said, "Don't touch it unless you want to die, as I won the Nationals with that prop yesterday....." Old Man Hill prop. I saw Don at Havasu Landing 9 years ago, we had a great talk, his hip was bothering him and he took the ferry back to Havasu City. Rest in peace, my friend. Condolences to the rest of the Henrich family.

    Donald Albert Henrich, 88, of Portage, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at his home in Saddle Ridge.

    Donald was born Jan. 24, 1928, in West Allis. He married Judy Ellen Richmond on Dec. 9, 1961, in Eagle River.

    Don was a former owner of Propellers by DAH, and retired as an engineer from Outboard Marine Corp. He received a World War II Victory Medal while serving his country in the U.S. Navy. He was an ardent outdoorsman, an avid hunter and fisherman, as well as a gold prospector. Don was a Mason, as well as a member of the American Legion and Elks Club.

    He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy; his children, Wendy (Jim) King of Winfield, Illinois, Dana (Tim) O’Neill of the Township of Erin, Jerry (Linda) Okonek of Spooner; his grandchildren, Kelsey, Dan and Kori King, Brendan, Danielle and Kellen O’Neill, and Dan (Allison), Heather and Kyle Okonek; one great-granddaughter, Whitney Okonek; and very special friends, Heather and Jason Stenberg.

    Memorial services will be held at noon Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 East, Portage, with the Rev. Julie Krahn officiating. Military honors will follow. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the church.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Badger Honor Flight Inc., P. O. Box 258066 , Madison, WI 53725 or online at www.badgerhonorflight.org; Hope Lodge, 611 W. Doege, Marshfield, Wisconsin, 54449; or to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.




  8. #8
    Administrator Ron Hill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Tustin, California
    Posts
    3,407
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Randy Pierson: 2/7/2019

    http://wjon.com/former-avon-marine-o...p-in-illinois/
    Sorry to hear this!

    My friend, Randy Pierson. We had been friends since 1984. Randy worked with Barry Woods in the early days of V-8 tunnel boat racing. He worked with Gary Garbrecht at Second Effort. He drove my MOD VP at several Havasu Classics.
    He drove a Yamaha Powered Sleek Craft at the Parker Enduro for at least two years, recently.
    His dad had owned Avon Marine, in Avon, Minnesota. Randy ran this dealership for many years.
    I think he was victim of substance abuse these last few years.
    I hope he rests in peace. He was my friend, we had our ups and downs over the years, but we were always friends.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Ron Hill; 02-10-2019 at 07:05 PM.
    Likes VinTin liked this post

  9. #9
    Team Member smittythewelder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    393
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Ed Karelson, Seattle's raceboat builder and one of the very best ever or anywhere, whose beautiful hulls won innumerable championships and records in several categories.
    Thanks crewman060 thanked for this post

  10. #10
    BoatRacingFacts VIP racingfan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Bradford , Illinois
    Posts
    1,345
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default F. Pierce Williams

    Famed motorsports photographer F Piece Williams was killed in a fatal car accident in Ohio last Thursday. Very sad news. I admired his work very much.

    https://www.whio.com/news/local/repo...Nr60SY26Ok44H/
    Thanks Ron Hill thanked for this post
    Likes Ron Hill liked this post

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 29 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 29 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Bonneville towers and Chrysler racers
    By Modhydro Steve in forum Outboard Racing History
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 09-10-2014, 12:05 PM
  2. Any Racers in San Diego, CA ?
    By David Mason in forum Mini Boats and Mini Boats History
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 02-16-2008, 12:34 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •