Richard Messersmith R.I.P.

gsharapa · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 06:35 AM

Saw this on Facebook this am..........R.I.P. Richard!

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart I must tell family and friends ,that my husband Richard Messersmith died this morning.on July 22 he was in a severe motorcycle accident,he was not hit by anyone or going fast but did not have a helmet on,just goggles,and was something he was pretty adidimat... about. " I'm going three blocks to get a part". bystanders said he was going at a slow rate of speed and just fell over. His bones were mended in 4 operations but his underlying emphysema has been so bad,the ventilator setting so high, he just could not hold on any more.most loved or hated him but he truly was wonderful and give me wonderful care all these years thank you all in advance for what I know are your sympathies,Judi

fordracing65 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 06:40 AM

r.i.p...

ACademic · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 06:46 AM

RIP, Richard.

1985 CCX · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 06:59 AM

I am so saddened to hear about this, my son Max and I spent some time with him at Amelia and SAAC38 to which I am glad as my son was able to meet and spend time with Richard. We spoke occasionally on the phone always having a great conversation about 289's with well wishes always moving forward. I will miss our banter, information and parts swapping which were always the focus. His historical hindsight was always a pleasure to hear as that information is what will live on..... And boy did he have an opinion..

Judi
Our heart goes out to you and the family, Richard will forever be part of us all and it was our pleasure to have met him in this journey of life.

Jeff & Max

ERA Chas · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 10:54 AM

People often say 'He passed doing what he loved...'.
I'm sure that's of no consolation to his loved ones. It's just a stunning loss to them.
Many of us here didn't know him, but like me, it's a sadness to lose a vital guy of like interest, too early.
Sincere wishes for peace to his wife and family.

Bernica · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 11:12 AM

May he Rest In Peace. He is no longer in pain, and he's now hanging out with the Legends, sharing stories about the good old days. Prayers to the family from here.

JBCOBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 11:21 AM

So Sad. RIP

tkb289 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

People often say 'He passed doing what he loved...'.
I'm sure that's of no consolation to his loved ones. It's just a stunning loss to them.
Many of us here didn't know him, but like me, it's a sadness to lose a vital guy of like interest, too early.
Sincere wishes for peace to his wife and family.

Very well said Chas … adding my sincere condolences to the family & friends.

phattyhales · #9 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 03:12 PM

I've only known Richard for a few months but I was saddened to hear of his passing this morning. He was a great man and a good friend. I had the previlege of speaking with him about cameras and his car every few days or so as he would call Kirkham to check up on his car.

CSX3183 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 04:30 PM

I never met or spoke with him, but did know of him, may God Rest Your Soul.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

People often say 'He passed doing what he loved...'.
I'm sure that's of no consolation to his loved ones. It's just a stunning loss to them.
Many of us here didn't know him, but like me, it's a sadness to lose a vital guy of like interest, too early.
Sincere wishes for peace to his wife and family.

Nedsel · #11 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 07:02 PM

Sad to hear this. May you and your family find comfort in his peaceful exit.

427 Street · #12 (**permalink**) 08-10-2013, 03:45 AM

"Ive had a lot more fun in my life than anybody has a right to. I mean a lot more fun." -Richard H. Messersmith

REAL 1 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-10-2013, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernica

May he Rest In Peace. He is no longer in pain, and he's now hanging out with the Legends, sharing stories about the good old days. Prayers to the family from here.

He belongs to the ages now and a wonderful history.

RIP.

mdross1 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-10-2013, 05:12 AM

Agree with many on here he passed doing what he loved.Did not know RIP but enjoyed reading his posts.Our prayers go out to his family.

Rickd · #15 (**permalink**) 08-10-2013, 10:18 AM

Wow - that is sad news. I had the privilege to be invited to his home in Fort Lauderdale in Las Olas a couple of years ago - he wanted to show me his beloved 289 Kirkham - that he bought used and put an aluminum Dart 302 into. He was truly a "car guy" and his home was packed with boxes of cobra parts. His 3 car garage had a Ferrari 'daily driver' in it and an older Ferrari under cover. Never even mentioned those as we walked through the garage in search of a mason jar - to top off with Chardonnay - at 10:00 am on Saturday. He was just packing up to move to Orlando so they could be closer to a hospital for the cancer treatments his wife was undergoing at that time.

A real nice guy - who raced cobras back in the day - and lived what we all read and dream about. I am really saddened by the news. He had come across some post I had made on Club Cobra and pm'd me saying "you're in Miami ? - c'mon up and let's talk cobras". And we did! His car was no trailer queen. He went to the weekly car shows in Fort Lauderdale and sat around talking motors and cobras, and having a few beers. Thanks Richard !! May God be with you my friend.

Tom Kirkham · #16 (**permalink**) 08-10-2013, 01:07 PM

Richard was the rare tenacious individual who knew what he wanted, demanded your best, yet was always very fair and reasonable. He ended many phone conversations with “Tom, can I send you any money?” This past spring we had Richard at our shop prepping and updating his car before our open track day. He would drive his 289 FIA Roadster to and from the hotel with his un-muffled side pipes blaring. He was always grinning from ear to ear when he pulled up in the car. He was a treasure trove of knowledge on how the cars were originally built and raced. Richard was also a very good mechanic. He could and did wrench on his own cars and bikes. I will never forget being able to run up on the banking with him in Fontana at SAAC 38.
Richard told me many times, “Tom what more could I ask for? I have a lovely wife, and I have had a lot of fun. If I die tomorrow, I have no complaints.”

We will miss you.

gsharapa · #17 (**permalink**) 08-10-2013, 05:28 PM

This seemed appropriate for Richard..........

Tom Kirkham · #18 (**permalink**) 08-12-2013, 03:45 PM

Here is a picture of Richard at SAAC 38 working on his car.

gsharapa · #19 (**permalink**) 08-12-2013, 07:35 PM

I never realized how young he was when he was racing in the 60s as he was only 68 when he passed so he had to be 19 back then. Neat guy for sure!

Cool picture of him and the car. Thanks for sharing.

bret a ewing · #20 (**permalink**) 08-13-2013, 06:17 AM

Went out with his boots on..................