Update on Ol' Ron
- Thread starter Ol' Ron
- Start date
Ray Balukas
Senior Member
RIP Sir!
sidevalve8ba
Well-known member
You will be missed, Ron. RIP.
Ron_r1959
Senior Member
I had the privilege of messaging Ron a few years back and eventually I called him on the phone 5-6 times for a hour so at a time. I always enjoyed talking to him on the phone, he would share all kind of things about things he had done in the past from building all kind of cars and trucks with flatheads and even flathead motors for a boat lol. He shared about the racing days and rubbing shoulders with Smokey Unick at the track, I was amazed at how sharp he was still , he reminds me of my own dad. He shared stories of his stockcar days, days in the military, about the time period you called his dark days and his family and about things I was doing to my truck and motor. One particular call, I was able to get my dad on with him in the last year who is 85 and a flat head guy and they got to do a little shop talk.
Last summer he sent me a intake manifold that he had built for a stock car that he raced I think maybe in the 60's possibly? I tried to buy it or a at least pay the shipping but he wouldn't hear of it, I got it about a week before the event I was using it for and it was quite a challenge getting it fitted on the motor at the event, it was taller and I needed longer bolts and a longer pump rod, and belt for the generator, things i had at home but not a hundred miles away LOL. It was a typical last minute thing since I hadn't time to try it before the event, but we got it on and give it a try. He said he liked the idea that something he built special himself was still out there and being used. he told me he had learned one thing in life about trying new things- If you don't try something new, how are you ever going to learn anything about it , and secondly learn from it and keep trying to improve on it. He said he was still learning things about the flathead motor and he loved that about them. I think he knew he was closing in on the end, when he sent it to me truthfully from things he said. Ruth , he did tell me about you taking him places that he appreciated so much and about his grandson that helped him on his computer and his son and family. I know he treasured that so much. I wished I had made it out to see him I had planned to do that but A piece of him is on my old flathead ford and racing down the highway and up a hill in IL. I am grateful to have talked to him the last few year, and my prayers are with you guys the next few months adjusting to this loss , my dad like him is still working on the old cars but he is slowing down and his own congestive heart failure is taking its toll on his energy, he says things now like, this is probably my last project, and we are trying to treasure this time period. My prayers go out to you and your family, thank you for posting this I had been wondering about him Ron
Last summer he sent me a intake manifold that he had built for a stock car that he raced I think maybe in the 60's possibly? I tried to buy it or a at least pay the shipping but he wouldn't hear of it, I got it about a week before the event I was using it for and it was quite a challenge getting it fitted on the motor at the event, it was taller and I needed longer bolts and a longer pump rod, and belt for the generator, things i had at home but not a hundred miles away LOL. It was a typical last minute thing since I hadn't time to try it before the event, but we got it on and give it a try. He said he liked the idea that something he built special himself was still out there and being used. he told me he had learned one thing in life about trying new things- If you don't try something new, how are you ever going to learn anything about it , and secondly learn from it and keep trying to improve on it. He said he was still learning things about the flathead motor and he loved that about them. I think he knew he was closing in on the end, when he sent it to me truthfully from things he said. Ruth , he did tell me about you taking him places that he appreciated so much and about his grandson that helped him on his computer and his son and family. I know he treasured that so much. I wished I had made it out to see him I had planned to do that but A piece of him is on my old flathead ford and racing down the highway and up a hill in IL. I am grateful to have talked to him the last few year, and my prayers are with you guys the next few months adjusting to this loss , my dad like him is still working on the old cars but he is slowing down and his own congestive heart failure is taking its toll on his energy, he says things now like, this is probably my last project, and we are trying to treasure this time period. My prayers go out to you and your family, thank you for posting this I had been wondering about him Ron
FortyNiner
Well-known member
Ruth, we should be so blessed to have someone like you at our finish lines. Ron was beloved.
petehoovie
Well-known member
nickthebandit
Well-known member
I am not a flathead person, but I always paid attention to what Ron had to say. We will all miss him dearly. Ron, thanks for your knowledge, and sharing it with us.
Ronnieroadster
Well-known member
Gods Speed Ron one of the great ones is now watching over us all.
Lawson Cox
Well-known member
I never met O'le Ron, but I learned a lot from his posts over the years and wish I had had an opportunity to meet him. It won't be long before I'll finally have that opportunity. See you shortly, Ron. Lawson