This week is the first anniversary of Ray's death. In remembrance, some quotes
from the list when we learned of his passing:
...You kind of get to know people you may never meet reading this list every
day and you start to think of them as friends...
...This list greatly benefited by his wisdom and humor...
...Ray was of great assistance to me with his
technical advice and encouragement. I will miss his posts and miss his
generosity with his knowledge...
...We spent a few hours together showing pictures
of projects and swapping auto war stories (most of them quite amusing).
The list and North American MGB Register members may remember Ray's
clever little piece called "Frequently Asked Questions" which appeared
in the Nov/Dec issue of "MGB Driver". He drove a wonderful little
Bugeye. I just can not believe he is no longer with us. This really
hurts...
...Ever since I have been on this list I have been looking forward to posts
from this man (and have discussed Sprite technical issues in personal
emails with him). He only posted when he had something to say and what he
said always had merit. His type of humor was an inspiration to me...
...I am sure everyone on the list is saddened to learn of Professor Gibbons'
passing. His depth of experience and wonderful humor will be irreplaceable...
...He was a consistent contributor to the shop-talk list and was very helpful
when someone had a tool or technique question. His humor was so unique that
he could put you on in such a polite manner that you begged for more..
...I never met him in person, but I will miss him nonetheless...
...I, as the rest of you, am deeply saddened by the loss of Ray Gibbons. He
was always quick to write me personally to discuss something I had written:
LBC content or one of my political ravings. Funny thing about the internet
and these wonderful lists and digests is that we get to meet and know
people who we never would have had a chance to a decade ago...
...After all, if we keep the MGs alive we can remember our friends like Ray.
...Over the last couple of years I felt that I was pretty much in synch
with Ray in a number of respects, being a crusty old fart, messing
with my iron and doing science now and then to keep the Masters happy.
I had a goodly number of exchanges with him both public and private
and always looked forward to his interpretation of the politics (with
respect to LBCs) of the day. I would like to suggest that in his
honor we think about establishing an annual Golden Dremel Award (or
something like that) to be given to the most outrageous example of
bringing an LBC back from the dead...
See also: http://www.team.net/sol/solers/gibbons.html
It seems like a good time to open up nominations for the Golden Dremel Award
for 1998...
Phil Hubbard for persistence?
Trevor for his adventures with the B that would not run?
Ben Ruset for taking an $800 rubber-bumper and making something out of it?
Becky Mahoney for rescuing the B under the tree? (valve stems? really)
Ralph Cordell for resurrecting the MGA he owned in college?
I'm sure there are plenty of other worthy candidates.
Phil Vanner
Mk1 Midget
Drive your MG to work, take the scenic route home, smile a little, it's all
temporary.
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