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Originally Posted by Jamo
Known the man for nearly 30 years...and most of that had nothing to do with Cobras. He flew my client's plane, and I had alot of time sitting in the co-pilot seat next to him going into beautiful places like Blythe and El Centro to deal with strikes. Used to bore me to death with stories about his racing exploits and these damn little cars, and his flying stories. He told Turk, Pat and me a great one several years ago...flying in the Med along the North African coast for a "charter" (as he put it) when our F111s hit Libya.
The man could fly...don't know how many times in 82 he took me into Blythe sideways during windstorms in the Commander, and then back at night, and then back again within a few days. It was a long summer...and yet he never repeated a story (he had that many).
He was so damn happy in his life with Heather...they bought the Mustang convertible in Arizona and had Ken Christiansen go over it with disc brakes etc., and then they drove all over the place with it. He talked more about that car than the damn Cobra. His trip last year around the country after visiting the Bash just seemed to perk him up all over again.
Hell, even the Crankoids adopted him...he cracked me up on his return telling me that the "boys back there are serious about their racing" which was about him doing a little sidetrip off the track when the Joisey guys closed rank on him. Cranky...he really enjoyed youse guys. 
He always wore one of his own t-shirts, the ones with "Dick Smith" and the 198 on them. I always teased him saying I was going to make a batch of t-shirts with "Who the hell is Dick Smith?" on them.
We lost a great one... |
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Posted by Don McCain: I can't express the emotions i am feeling right now, but they hurt. Dick and i go back 43 years and i always looked forward to our meetings at the various Shelby events. The man was one of the nicest people i have ever met in my 69 years on this earth and a roll model par excellence. The one thing i shall always remember is the day i sold him what is known as #198 and the shirts i have with that number will be stored in my archives. I am sorry for those of you who didn't have the opportunity to know Dick and his great smile. He will be with me and all those he touched forever. Rest well my friend............
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Very, very, sad. Reading your comments Jamo/Don, well, it makes me feel worse in a way and better in another. His racing history is one thing, but the way he touched people in a personal way, well, that makes him missed even more. Thanks for sharing these sorts of personal stories.