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Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | This weekend I received the saddening news that Neil has passed away, Friday 18th. Last year Neil was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a very aggressive brain cancer. Happily, he was early to go to the ER in Bishop, CA and immediately flown to Reno, NV where brain surgeons were able to remove some 98% of this tumor. Following he periodically had radiation and chemo, and although it looked hopefully, eventually his body couldn’t keep up with all the chemicals they had to feed him.
He was my tutor and I know Neil and his vast, detailed knowledge will be missed here also, greatly. I am very sad, but happy I did spend some quality time with Neil this spring. My thoughts are with Neil's ever loving wife, Norma.
Edited by D500Jim 2015-09-20 1:59 PM
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Posts: 1622
Location: Seville, OH | Very sad indeed. I was aware of his condition and I had been communicating with Neil regularly, but his communications ended on 9/2. He will leave a big hole in our FL hobby, particularly for us Coronet devotees. Without him I would not be pursuing the restoration of my Coronet. He was an endless source of information and he seemed as excited about it as I was. RIP my friend.
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | I too, am deeply saddened by the news. Neil and I had been researching this family of cars since the late 80's.
Here is a photo Neil sent to me years ago. A few of us at WPC, Detroit, about 1996.
Greg
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7805
Location: Williams California | R.I.P. Neil.
---John
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 612
Location: Kingston Springs , TN | So sorry to hear; condolences to his family..... |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13042
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | That was really some bad news - I came to know Neil as well as it's possible over the net and I appriciated his wittiness and knowledge.
May the light shine upon his family and friends and lighten up the dark path.
Rest in piece my friend, we'll miss you |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7385
Location: northern germany | oh no, i'm having tears in my eyes. rip neil you will be missed.
we often disagreed but he was a good soul. i''ve known him since the mid/late 80s when he, always very helpful, send me some information just to help me out. for some reason i guessed that when i asked "where is neil" in the d500 thread. now the tears in my eyes are flowing.
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Location: The Mile High City | That is very sad news. He had not posted for such an extended period that I looked him up on Google last week to see if there was some news.
I was worried of this.
That first image is a great photo of him in his car. He looks very happy.
Edited by Lancer Mike 2015-09-20 1:05 PM
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Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | Very sad to hear this.
RIP
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Veteran
Posts: 158
Location: Ottawa, ON | So sad. What a loss of knowledge for the FL community.
My condolences to his family and friends.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: McCleary WA | So sad to hear about his passing. For some reason I was one of the few he shared his illness with from the beginning. I wanted to post something here so others would know but he steadfastly refused, not wanting anyone's sympathy. His vast knowledge and willingness to share it certainly helped with my restoration, and he will truly be missed. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 907
Location: Magra, Sweden | Shocking news that Neil has left us, he will be missed. He was always helpful sharing his knowldege.
R.I.P. Neil |
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Expert
Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | Wow, that is sad news indeed. I had some offline discussions with Neil about this....you never think it can really be that serious, but this time it was. Great guy, sorry to see him go. |
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Posts: 1207
Location: Ponder, TX | Every Mopar forum seems to have at least one such member...sometimes curmudgeonly, occasionally controversial, never acerbic, but always helpful and entertaining, and who possesses a wealth of knowledge and source material. I’m sure many of you knew that several other Chrysler oriented forums lost such a person who went by the name of Mopar Norm...and now Neil. No matter how we remember him, the hobby and the Forward Look faithful are all the worse for his passing. |
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Posts: 1527
Location: ZH, Switzerland | I have tears in my eyes because I heard this really bad news. As well I learned to know Neil over the net and appreciated his very good knowledge. I think he's a grave loss for the forum. May the light shine upon his family and friends and lighten up the dark path. Rest in piece my friend, we'll miss you Dieter |
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Posts: 1208
Location: SWITZERLAND | A few weeks ago Neil and me had an intensive conversations by mails and in direct calls. The main theme was the meaning of the numbers in the Car Production Broadcast, he replied always very quick. He had a hugh know-how in decoding especially '57 - '59 Dodge sheets and TAGs. , shared this with a great passion with any of us. At this time I never was thinking that he was strongly affected by a tumor. I think he was always happy and very clear in mind. His recent personal comments show how he was interested, friendly and open minded : ________ ""LOL....I DO try to make my replies and posts as CLEAR as possible.... I'm half Dutch & German...NOT a good combination, for being "easy-going", I'm afraid."" ""Just trying to understand ... you added the "Eye" to your IBM card, right? How were you able to copy PERFECTLY the "Eye" script???"" ""YEAH....I kinda do like the "Eye" inclusion on your IBM card, but really, putting the "eye" on it is like counterfeiting the IBM card. But, it is 'good' to know that such manipulation is possible! Neil "" ________ Now the more, his passing away comes fully inexpected. My thoughts will especially be with him when going on completing my "new" Car Production Broadcast. The forwardlook family looses a many years very active member. We will keep Neil500 always in mind - God bless him. - SERGE - |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 726
Location: Some Island called Prince Edward | The FL Hobby will definitely have a vacuum with Neil's passing. He was extremely helpful when I found the 59 Royal D500 and helped me to confirm it's authenticity.
RIP Neil. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Sweden Vansbro | That is very sad news. He helped me a lot with my car. Thank you Neil.
Rest in peace.
Bengt |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 594
Location: Melbourne, Australia | darn thats sad news.... Neil was the first guy I ran into at Tulsa and he was friendly right from the start; we had some personal dealings and correspondance over the years and he was always patient and passionate in his way. Always ready to share his knowledge and volunteer information as we know..... the other qualities didn't seem so obvious in his online persona but he was a man of his word ! I'm glad I met him and I wish him well RIP mate ! Colin |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| Oh wow, so saddened to hear this news. Neil's passion, knowledge and humor will be missed......... he certainly was one of a kind.
So I bet you guys have got some stories to tell about Neil............. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 417
Location: Bräcke,Sweden | Very sad news indeed. He helped me alot with the buildcard for my car.
RIP.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8443
Location: Perth Australia | I hope he passed peacefully
In the time I have been on this forum, I built up a great respect for Neil
I will miss him
R.I.P mate
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Posts: 1384
Location: Ocala, Florida | RIP Neil, i had just sent a speedometer to him... |
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Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | RIP Neil. He helped a lot with my dizzie improvements and always had good advice to give. We will miss him here. |
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Posts: 4034
Location: Connecticut | I first met Neil at the WPC Nationals in Portland, OR in 1998. His wife was a bit concerned because they had just driven their 57 Dodge D500 700 miles without brake lights. I fixed the problem and we became friends. He was one of the 'characters' on this message board. And even though his obsessive nature disagreed with some folks, he was one of the most knowledgeable people when it came to 57-8 Dodges. RIP Neil. Ron |
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Expert
Posts: 1886
| While he and I butted heads at times, he was a wealth of knowledge. We have private communication a few times in which he helped me work through some car questions. Stinks. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1155
Location: somerville mass | im shocked and heartbroken about t his he was the go to guy with info on any 55 61 d500
coronets royals custom royals regal lancers. sad. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7205
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Wow, RIP Neil, so sad. I first met Neil in 1983 at the WPC National Meet in Reno, NV, and then again in 1987 (the last time I saw him in person) at the WPC National Meet in Burbank, CA. I had the privilege of riding with Neil and Norma in "Horrie" one evening when we had a cruise to a Malt shop, (can't remember where, but maybe on Van Nuys Blvd). While at that meet he found and sold me a 1960 Dodge Polara wagon D-500 emblem that he paid $5.00 for, which he sold me for the same amount. I didn't have a Polara D-500 at the time, but I did own the 60 Polara 4-door hardtop then, which I drove all the way to the Burbank meet from Vancouver Island. I don't have that emblem, I think I eventually sold it for $25.00 in the late 90s. |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1028
Location: Melbourne, Australia | RIP to Neil , he sure seemed like he knew a lot about the old Dodges . I didn't know Neil or his background , but from Sermeys earlier comment on here about an email that Neil sent him , and these words "I'm half Dutch & German...NOT a good combination, for being "easy-going", I'm afraid." I have the same problem , and it can affect others sometimes . Now I wished I knew him ! |
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Member
Posts: 29
Location: South Easton & Cape Cod, MA | Rest in peace Neil. I'm a Chevy guy who learned a tremendous amount about Forward Look, as well as other MoPars from this website |
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Expert
Posts: 2996
Location: Sept. 1958 | So sad to hear this about Neil. He was a great asset to the hobby and this site. I was told that he wasn't well and noticed he wasn't on this site recently. Never met him, but I can see he was a great man with great tastes. RIP Swept Wing Dodge guru Neil. You will be missed. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Montreal, Canada | I am very, very sad to learn that Neil is gone.
My wife and I had the chance, no, the previlege to visit him in Bishop in 2014. Norma and him were incredibly generous, open and friendly and I had a great time chatting with Neil about Dodges and all things Forward Look for hours on end. We also exchanged emails frequently and he was always very eager to share info and genuinely cared about others and interested in them and their stories.
I can't believe he passed... Our deepest sympathies go to Norma, all his close friends and family.
It was a beautiful sunny day today, and I drove my 58 Dodge 100 miles to meet with a friend who owns a 57 Dodge. I enjoyed it a lot, in Neil's memory!
Edited by soiouz 2015-09-21 6:29 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I met Neil before I knew how to drive. I was inspired by the fact that he DROVE his Dodge everywhere. As a result of that, none of my cars have ever been trailered to a show. Driving them, he said, was the whole point. He was a wealth of information that did more for this hobby that most of us can understand -- especially to 57-58 Dodge D-500 owners. He fought to share accurate information with hobbyists about these cars, even though many fought him right back. That created a lot of unnecessary drama that we all could have done without.
Now on to the memories. Aside from looking for Horrie at the WPC national meets, I think my favorite memory was when a small caravan of cars drove back to Califirnia after the 1986 meet in Colorado Springs. I followed Neil's Dodge in my 1965 Valiant convertible. A day earlier, it had won Best of Show - Plymouth. I had no problems driving a near perfect car, and the speeds we were moving made the trip a lot of fun. My best friend at the time, Mitch, was my navigator. He kept saying, "Just follow Neil!"
At the end of the night we ended up at a crappy roadside motel in St. George, UT. There were two rooms left. In the lobby, Neil smiled at me and said,"I got you the honeymoon suite." Hahaha. He got us alright!!! It had a round bed, pink shag carpet, and mirrors on the ceiling and on every bathroom wall! I can still hear him laughing!!!
I'll miss him a lot...
Rest in Peace,
Aaron |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: Montreal, Canada | I just learned the passing of Neil.
Rest in peace.
You will be missed.
Condolences to his wife and family.
Edited by catman 2015-09-20 10:43 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1493
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | He was a really good dude. Good guy to me, always. He had conviction, knowledge and, also, kindness. A great loss. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5139
Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | I am saddened and rather shocked at this news. I haven't been on the board much and knew nothing about his illness. Neil indeed was a character . I didn't always agree with him, but he always stuck to his guns--right or wrong. But I met him in person at Tulsa. He and another FL member was sitting in Neils trunk drinking moonshine from a mason jar. Matter of fact, that members avatar was taken right then ! That was in the infamous parking garage where a lot of FL partying went on. I really enjoyed talking with him and he was quite interested in my 56 Chrysler. That guy could handle his shine ! I choose to remember the many good things about Neil Rest In Peace.............................MO |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7205
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | This is Neil and I receiving our respective awards at the WPC National Meet in Burbank, 1987, our respective cars are below at the same meet. The wheel covers on my Polara were actually off Neil's car - he graciously let me try them on to see how they looked on the Polara. Neil's appearance changed a lot over 28 years! I had not seen him in person since 1987.
Edited by imopar380 2015-09-21 1:13 AM
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Location: Parts Unknown | I am sickened by this news. Neil was a walking vault of data. Google for all things
Forward Look Dodge. We chatted a lot backchannel. I will miss him and his depth of
knowledge.
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Expert
Posts: 1316
Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels | Very sad news indeed ...
My condolences to his family and friends. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 488
Location: London, England | I never met Neil, but his posts here were always informative and he was clearly passionate about FL cars. Condolences from across the pond to his family and friends.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1153
Location: D-70199 Heslach | Sad to read that. I was in touch with him and he always gave me a lot of helpful informations.
RIP Neil |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7385
Location: northern germany | it is heartbreaking to see neils comments in an old thread now. this board will never be the same again. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | Neil will surely be missed here on the forum and elsewhere. His posts were always direct and authoritative, if not insensitive at
times. It wasn't until I met him in Tulsa that I realized his true nature. He was a great man, always ready to help, and had a
special kind of humor.
My prayers for Norma and his family, and all those here who mourn his passing.
Pete |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335
Location: California/Wisconsin | Sad news indeed for the Forward Look family as well as his own family. Neil decoded the unknown to us badge-less and wrong engine containing Super D500 car I had just picked up before Chrysler Historical verified it a few years ago. He was excited for us and it encouraged us to find the parts to do a proper restoration. He provided a wealth of information and encouragement on the Forum and offline. My condolences to Norma and family and friends. |
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Expert
Posts: 3153
Location: NY & VT | What terrible news! Neil and I shared a strict view of Mopar restoration that many don't. and we chatted backchannel at times. What a huge and untimely loss for his family and all who knew him. It certainly illustrates once again the ephemeral nature of life. The best way to honor him is to be as helpful to all as he was. Neil you will be missed. RIP. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 608
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Rest in Peace friend. You will be missed by me and most everyone on this forum. What a deep well of knowledge, resource and friendship that has been lost. In the end, no one will remember what you did for a living, or how much money you made, or the things you accumulate. In the end, the measure of a man will be counted in the number of friends. You were a wonderful soul. |
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Posts: 3966
Location: DFW, TX | Shocking news and very sad to hear. It's really hard to think of this place without Neil's information and banter. RIP friend. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 792
Location: Buena Park, CA | Just heard the bad news. I had been emailing him up until the end of August but I new things were bad then, he was to the point where his wife had to type his emails for him. When my last email was not responded to, I started to have a sinking feeling. My condolences to Neil and his family. This is a sad for many.
-Dave |
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Posts: 4589
Location: Northern New Jersey | Rest in Peace |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 854
| Sorry to hear the news of Neil passing ,I never met him but we all lost a wealth of knowledge and a Great guy .Neil always seemed to be as passionate about the cars as the actual owners of them .One of my very first books I had that featured some foward look cars ,was a small hardcover book ,great cars of the 50s I think it was called featured his 57 Dodge many years ago .I will Miss him on this site . Thanks Neil . |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 982
Location: Upper Hunter NSW Australia | ........
The only words that I can think of at the moment is that I'm simply stunned at hearing this news, it's trying to sink into my mind that the great Neil Vedder D500neil is gone!!!!
I had no idea he was fighting for his life?
My thoughts and condolences to his family.
When I joined up here after I bought my 59 Dodge a few years back, Neil helped me immensely with his knowledge ( most of it via pm messages) and kind of became my Mopar mentor as up to that date I had never owned a Mopar let alone owning one where the only parts source for me was many thousands of miles away ( I'm in Australia).
Neil was always willing to help me out with anything I needed to know or find and I still have a picture in my PM's that Neil sent me of his home office with all his piles of Mopar reference material. I remember commenting back wondering how he ever knew where to start looking!
We would always send each other an E-xmas card each year via PM's...............
I've never travelled overseas but am planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the US sometime and a visit to Neil was one part of my trip that was a must for me.
I know the old saying is that " life goes on " but my Mopar life will have a hole in it now that Neil's not around.
Thanks so much D500neil..........
Rest in peace up there...........
........
Edited by VAN HELSING 2015-09-21 8:48 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1018
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin | I'm so sad to here he is gone . He had so much knowledge and always willing to give it to others. R.I.P Mister Mopar ! |
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Veteran
Posts: 146
Location: California | Here's a post from Neil just over two years ago regarding the passing of my dad.
"Met up with Gary Grossich, at the Hot August Nights swap meet, when we both were simultaneously attracted to an alluring
(but over-priced and not really needed) used 1958 CRL gold anodized trunk "Dodge" emblem." "Gary's doing OK, now." "But the MoPar world has lost a good friend."
That's all I can say after hearing of Neals passing, the MoPar world has lost a good friend. Neal will be missed for his knowledge, wit and willingness to share both. |
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Location: North Australia | If Neil had a God, I hope he had a 1958 Super D500 powered red and white CRL Convertible with a manual gear box waiting for him. Will be missed by me also, been reading his posts since 2001, and had a number of PM conversations regarding Imperials and Dodges.
RIP Old Man.
Steve. |
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Expert
Posts: 1295
Location: Nasco , SWEDEN | Rest in peace Neil, you will be missed. Thank´s for all kind advices and pointings in "The right directions" . This site will not be the same without you , hope you can look down upon us and our struggles wich will keep on........... Morgan |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Very sad about Neil's passing. I had known him by letter almost 25 years ago...and then enjoyed his posts here on the forum. Great guy , will missi him a lot |
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Expert
Posts: 4654
| So sorry to hear of his passing. Every time I looked at a Dodge convertible to purchase, he decoded the data tag for me quickly, so I could make a knowledgeable decision. RIP Neil ! |
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | Neil’s wife Norma really appreciates all your comments and sympathy, and the photos that you’ve posted, and asked me to thank you so much. Also, to post Neil’s orbituary here.
Neil Davis Vedder, III passed away on September 18, 2015 after a courageous battle with brain cancer, and is survived by Norma Vedder, his loving wife of 38 years. Neil was an active member of the Bishop community and the Lions Club in Bishop. In March, Neil was awarded the Melvin Jones Scholarship for his years of service to the Lions Club and the Bishop community. He served as President in 2001 - 2002.
Born on July 24, 1950, Neil grew up in Toledo, Ohio. He graduated from Miami (Ohio) University in 1972 and enlisted in the United States Navy after graduation. Neil saw active duty in the Gulf of Tonkin conflict during the Vietnam war and achieved the rank of LT JG USN while serving on the USS Tolovana. He received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Navy’s Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Neil started his career in the insurance business in 1975, following in his father’s footsteps. In the same year, he met Norma Tejada in Los Angeles. They were married in 1976. Neil and Norma moved to Bishop in 1977. He started Eastern Sierra Adjustment Services in 1985 and retired from his business in 2014.
Neil was a noted expert on the 1957-1958 Dodge Custom Royal. He enjoyed driving his own Custom Royal in the countryside around Bishop, as well as attending vintage car shows.
Neil is also survived by his sister Sharyl (George) Kaitsa (Powell, OH), sister-in-law Marta Tejada (Honduras), uncle Gibson Hart (Olathe, KS), cousin John (Jennifer) Hart (Overland Park, KS), nephews Corey (Nicole) Urbanski, their daughter Avery, Ryan (Kimmy) Hart, Alec (Sarah) Hart, Aaron Hart, Jorge Lopez and Emerson Lopez.
He was preceded in death by his parents Neal and Suzanne Vedder and his aunt Louise Hart.
A private service is planned by the family.
In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Eastern Sierra Breast Cancer Alliance or to their favorite charity.
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Posts: 1622
Location: Seville, OH | Thanks for posting this Jim. I had been searching online but couldn't find it. I think Neil would take exception to the "battle" term but I understand that is the common description. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 313
Location: New Jersey | RIP, Neil. I'm shocked and stunned at your passing.
You could also recite letter and verse on the '56 Dodge, and without you I would have never known what I had in my '56 convertible. You've shined your light upon so many of us. And now The Lord is shining His Light on you.---Fred |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1115
Location: CA | I'm honored to call Neil a friend. We lost a consummate enthusiast and a wealth of information and experience. Our hobby takes a big hit today. Thanks for everything buddy! R.I.P. Neil, his family is in my thoughts. |
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Location: Under the X in Texas | R.I.P. Neil. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1150
Location: Southern California | sad news, rest in peace Neil. |
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Expert
Posts: 3887
Location: Northen Virginia | Man, I just can believe it, Neil was always helpful and was a trustful expert on Dodges. He also helped me a lot, what a sad news, why in the wold this happened. I just don't know what to said I have a huge lump in my throat... |
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Posts: 2612
Location: Parts Unknown |
Wow...
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 314
Location: Fairfield County, CT | Neil and I shared a lot of messages on Regal Lancers; one of Neil's favorite subjects. He shared many very rare pieces of documentation that have helped in my restoration. I felt great when I could inform him on a subject; it's rare that you knew something Neil didn't. I've been busting my butt trying to get the Regal Lancer done and was looking forward to sharing that unveiling with him. Now I'll never get that pleasure. Life's too short. All that's left to say is: Teach the angels how to properly decode a data plate Neil! |
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Posts: 1493
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | He was brave and scientific about his life and death. He was a strong, great guy. Beyond that, he was a human, of the highest sort. |
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Veteran
Posts: 256
Location: Chicago | "if you want meet somebody, you better meet them" my wife just said. Neil and I bantered only briefly on this forum, but I read many of his posts and I appreciated his attitude towards these old cars. I'm not into the exact segment he was into, but I really had hoped to meet him in person someday.
Perhaps we need to establish the "Forward Look Lifestyle Forum" in his honor.
Best Regards,
Andy Mikonis
Chicago USA
Chrysler 300 Club International print publications editor
1961 Chrysler owner since 1983
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 636
| Just got this terrible news. Only through an exchange of PMs with Neil, did I work up the confidence to buy my car. I want to second what Roger said:
"The best way to honor him is to be as helpful to all as he was."
Sparky |
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | I, too, was in touch with Neil throughout his treatment. Here is an excerpt from the last email I got from him on Aug 10. I think it demonstrates his character quite well!
Here is my attempt to post this --- I'm not very good at this stuff.
Greg
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 726
Location: Some Island called Prince Edward | So sad. Any idea what will become of Neil's car and all his FL documentation? Makes one wish there was a FL museum somewhere. |
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Veteran
Posts: 295
Location: Tallapoosa, GA |
RIP, Neil. You will be very very missed. |
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Expert
Posts: 2596
Location: Upplands Väsby, Sweden | Saw it only now the sad. Have read through all the posts, many fine words and stories about you.
Thank you for everything you've learned about these Forward Look cars through the years.
I never meet you, but you were a friend of the FL forum.
Remember when you contacted me through email that you had crossed the dealer cards in 59 Chrysler and thought that I would get the most out of these. What joy I felt.
We have lost a good friend. A wife lost a fine man.
R.I.P Neil Vedder.
Edited by Windsor59 2015-10-03 4:13 AM
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Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | toddst - 2015-10-02 8:33 PM
So sad. Any idea what will become of Neil's car and all his FL documentation? Makes one wish there was a FL museum somewhere.
Neil and I had a couple long telephone conversations when he was in the treatment centre in Reno. He wanted to discuss a few points about work we had done together years ago. I got the impression that he wanted to donate, sell or otherwise distribute his vast library of notes to others. In due course we will likely hear more.
Greg |
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Expert
Posts: 1819
Location: Vancouver, BC |
A major loss for us all. Always admired Neil for his enthusiasm and knowledge of Forward Look Dodges. Lost a great friend.
My condolences to his wife, family and friends.
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | One more reminder that we need to count our blessings from time to time. |
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Veteran
Posts: 249
Location: Spencerport, New York | Hard to believe he is gone. I was fortunate to meet him in Tulsa and enjoyed the time spent in the hotel bar listening to him profess on Forwardlook subjects. A great loss because he was truly the "Bard of Knowledge" when it came to 50's Dodges. R.I.P. Neil, you will be missed.
Edited by fintastic57 2015-10-07 7:26 AM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9604
Location: So. Cal | RIP Neil. I miss him already. He was always there to answer the most esoteric questions - and always strict to keep things real with data to back up his statements.
His soul will continue on in Horrie. I hope that whoever eventually gets it will be someone close to him.
Edited by Powerflite 2015-10-10 3:19 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 654
Location: NC | Just learned today of Neil's passing. I am so sorry for his family and for us, his on-line friends. Happy to know that he was a veteran and had served his country. He was a wealth of information and I often wondered if he had somehow got hold of all the 50s and 60s Chrysler archives. I recall that once we were "arguing" about how the Petty race team received their cars from Chrysler and Neil blew me away by producing a signed delivery ticket from Chrysler=Plymouth to the Pettys. RIP d500Neil. |
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I bought someNOS parts from Neil at a great price. We talked on the phone a couple of times when He found out I had bought a '59 D500. His knowledge WILL be missed. The earlier photo shows how quickly we ALL are nearing our remaining years. I can't take back the woulda, coulda shoulda's of life. I need to see the beauty of what GOD has done for me. RIP Neil but not forgotten. |
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Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | Neil's wife lets us know she keeps reading the Forwardlook website and is very moved by all the postings. Neil's Celebration of Life will be this Sunday, October 18th. |
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Regular
Posts: 62
| I first became aware of Neil through his early 1990s Mopar Collector's Guide ads seeking information on 1953-61 Dodges. I later found out that he had borrowed the Dodge records of disposition from Carl Kiekhaefer's secretary Rose Smiljanic, so I wrote to Neil asking if he would share some of his findings. He wrote back in 1995 stating that he was working on a comprehensive book about 1953-61 Dodges and was unable to share any information. Eventually, I contacted Rose directly and borrowed both the Chrysler and Dodge records of disposition. It was a good thing that I did so because Rose was compelled to return the files she had in her possession to Brunswick. They are now lost in the bowels of Plant 10, whereabouts unknown. In recent years, Neil and I were emailing back and forth about the Dodges of Carl Kiekhaefer. Not only Carl's race cars, but his D501 with engine #KD501-1001 and a 1958 Custom Royal Regal Lancer that was factory-built with a prototype "M" Series 383 Super D500 V8. One question that not even the Kiekhaefer archives could answer was how many D500-1 dual quad intakes did Kiekhaefer Corporation cast and deliver to Dodge Division in 1956. Neil kept after me for supporting documentation, but there was nothing conclusive in the files. We are still left with guesstimates as to how many were cast and delivered.
Neil's passion and enthusiasm for everything Dodge-related was contagious. It was an honor and a pleasure to have known him. He enriched all of our lives. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Neil often wrote to me when he was "at war" with a couple of the purist haters,
looking for support. Ironically, the same guys were emailing me, looking for angles
to work on Neil !
I never could understand it, as Neil was more than open about his "upgrades" and
modifications to his own car that any true purist would shun, and pointed this out to
them. I'd suggest to Neil that he scale back the tone and stick to the data. The two
sides seemed incorrigible.
When I was dialing in the interior for my Plaza (he took a strong interest in this unusual
restoration of a super plain jane car), I asked for reference/s on carpet. Neil responded
with a series of photos taken of a pristine original carpet set he extracted from a cream
puff car, documenting exactly how the seams were cut and sewn.
He was a great friend of historical detail and documentation. I feel a vacuous loss for
all the questions and discussion I will need to have in the future and knowing my buddy
of minute detail will not be there to kick all this around with.
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Veteran
Posts: 188
| I was so shocked to learn this today. I am new in the forum but I know Neil is among the most educated people when we talk about Forward look cars. We really lost a great friend and a real fan of the cars we like. We can only thank God that we all were lucky to know Neil and to remeber the time when he was with us sharing knowledge and helping us preserving and restoring our favorite cars. Rest in peace
Edited by Peter Panov 2015-10-14 8:14 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 188
| I was so shocked to learn this today. I am new in the forum but I know Neil is among the most educated people when we talk about Forward look cars. We really lost a great friend and a real fan of the cars we like. We can only thank God that we all were lucky to know Neil and to remeber the time when he was with us sharing knowledge and helping us preserving and restoring our favorite cars. Rest in peace Neil! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 654
Location: NC | Mrs. Vedder, we are all so sorry for your loss. Neil was certainly a well respected and admired man among all of us MOPAR folks. Needless to say but there is and will continue to be a void here on the FL Forums as we will miss him daily. I am certain that many of us would have liked to have known him personally. You have our heartfelt love and sympathy and we are so sorry for your tragic loss.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 782
Location: Edmonton, Alberta | I was surprised to hear that Neil passed. I liked his presence on the form and I liked his attention to detail and his passion for "doing things right". Neil has helped me out with a few issues with my recent engine swap project and provided even some travel advice to me for a trip to California when I went to purchase the engine. I will most certainly miss him here on the forum. My sincere condolences to his wife and family. |
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Posts: 2631
Location: Minor Hill, TN | I never knew he was sick RIP Neil . |
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Expert
Posts: 1295
Location: Nasco , SWEDEN | Autum is here, i ´ve logged on to this site for seaching info in my threads and here and there you pop up Neil My stereo plays those old Doo wop tunes... I´ve never met you in person but my 6th sence tells me that you would enjoy this too, problem is that i can´t ask you anything more, nobody here on earth can . Guess we meet someday in the big Forwardook sky. My thougts goes to Norma , hope she has the support she needs . all we others who still walk this planet just have to make it without you . R.I.P Neil Vedder |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1140
Location: Blackpool, United Kingdom. | Sad news, he will be greatly missed, rest in peace Neil. |
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Veteran
Posts: 272
Location: Missouri | I just found out about Neil's passing on another forum, and saw he was a veteran. Our church just this morning honored the veterans, and I am privileged to be among them. We also honored all of the fallen men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Mrs. Vedder, I too offer my condolences for your personal loss, and the loss his extended family has suffered. God bless you! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 466
Location: Vancouver, Washington | Oh no, terrible news and loss for the hobby and more importantly his friends and family. Very nice man. I only had the privilege of talking to via this forum and few private messages regarding my car. Very sincere, warm-hearted person, with an insatiable need to help you get your car right, and appreciative of anyone taking interest in preservation of his passion (these old Mopars). RIP sir! |
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Expert
Posts: 2473
Location: Dalveen, Queensland, Australia | Another to come to the thread too late...
I had a lot of contact with Neil about ten years ago when I bought an 8¾ 'pumpkin' from him. When we were making the arrangements
he explained that his wife had regular visits to an oncologist in Santa Monica, so he was dealing with problems she had at that time.
I know this Gliobastoma Multiforme thing too, it took my youngest brother from us just over seven years ago. Like Neil, he had a large
slab of it removed, but was told it would get him as it just doesn't go away. A bad one.
I know full well all the expressions of how Neil will be missed by forum members - and other FL owners - are just too true, he always
gave of his knowledge here even if sometimes he rubbed some up the wrong way.
My condolences to his wife. I also know what it's like to lose your life partner to that insidious corruption to life, cancer. I have also
seen bravery in my life partner's face as she accepted her lot. It's a terrible thing to live through, a devastation others cannot
compare to anything they've known.
I have to be honest and say that he's not been on any of my lists of people to visit while in America, though I never planned to go
anywhere near Bishop and some years have passed. But it's also true that many people I have visited while there (Paul Hoffmeyer,
Michael Argetsinger, Samuel Argetsinger and David Blair among them) have subsequently passed on and Neil doing so would only
have made me feel worse about visiting people there.
Most of us here are, of course, at the wrong end of our life for this kind of thing. We get used to it, we may even become dulled
out to it. But that doesn't alter the fact that this after-the-fact appreciation of someone who has passed on helps us to better
appreciate who and what they were and how important life is to us all. |
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Expert
Posts: 1231
Location: York County, PA | I did not have the privilege of knowing Neil but I did read his many posts. If you want to meet more of your pears on the Forward Look, come to Carlisle.
If Big M can come from California, others can come. It's our biggest gathering and the best place to meet each other.
R.I.P. Neil and may GOD bless you and yours.
Edited by ruchaven 2015-11-22 10:15 AM
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Posts: 1776
Location: calif | I had the pleasure of many email interactions and a few phone calls with Neil over the years. He was exceedingly generous with his time and knowledge..never expected anything in return.
He was very open in discussing his medical problems with me.
Maybe the FL site could establish an award in his name for the most helpful volunteer experts on the site?
Charlie Marshall |
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Expert ,, George Passed away July 28th 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1295
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | I have had some medical problem over the past 6 months or so and was not aware of his illness or passing until this week. I met and enjoyed visiting with him in Tulsa in 2007. I too remember sharing the moonshine in the overhead garage at the hotel in Tulsa. RIP my friend!
George
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5139
Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | George, good to have you post on the FL. I was wondering about you................Hope all is healed now..........................Steve..............MO |
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Posts: 2631
Location: Minor Hill, TN | How about having a car show but strictly for forward look mopars and dedicate it to Neil. |
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | 1961plymouthfury - 2016-03-13 6:24 AM How about having a car show but strictly for forward look mopars and dedicate it to Neil. Sounds like a good idea to me. If it would be somewhere 7 - 29 May, I will be there too, for sure. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9604
Location: So. Cal | It would be neat to hold one in Bishop, CA but maybe do another one in the East somewhere so everyone can participate. |
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | I have to double check, especially with Neil's wife, but I think I can pull it off to arrange for an overnight meeting at the Bischop, CA Fair Grounds, in May. I'm thinking about everybody bring their own tent to the Fair Ground. Seriouisly. But of course there are several hotels too. Would then have to know how many would attend, to make it feasible. I think we can pull it off ..., somewhere at the end of May.
Edited by D500Jim 2016-03-13 12:18 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2631
Location: Minor Hill, TN | I hope there will also be 1 in TN Pulaski area. |
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Posts: 1622
Location: Seville, OH | D500Jim - 2016-03-13 12:05 PM
I have to double check, especially with Neil's wife, but I think I can pull it off to arrange for an overnight meeting at the Bischop, CA Fair Grounds, in May. I'm thinking about everybody bring their own tent to the Fair Ground. Seriouisly. But of course there are several hotels too. Would then have to know how many would attend, to make it feasible. I think we can pull it off ..., somewhere at the end of May.
I could make a late May date. |
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | The date is set to Friday 20- Sunday 22 May. At least a parking lot event.
Edited by D500Jim 2016-03-14 4:24 AM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9604
Location: So. Cal | I will be there. I am fine with sleeping in a tent. I can also tow a teardrop trailer for someone more sensitive to sleep in, if needed. But it is only 6ft long inside so no one over 5' 10" would fit well. |
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | There's too few members showing up to make it a genuine forwardlook meeting at the fairgrounds, but if anybody feels like it, I think we could at least have a parking lot meet, for instance at the Taco Bell parking lot, somewhere in the weekend of Friday 20 - Sunday 22 May. Saturday 21st? We could also go for a tour in the vicinity. I will be in Bishop 6 - 29th May. |
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | D500Jim - 2016-03-19 7:05 PM There's too few members showing up to make it a genuine forwardlook meeting at the fairgrounds, but if anybody feels like it, I think we could at least have a parking lot meet, for instance at the Taco Bell parking lot, somewhere in the weekend of Friday 20 - Sunday 22 May. Saturday 21st? We could also go for a tour in the vicinity. I will be in Bishop 6 - 29th May. I meant I will be in the USA during 6 - 29th May ... West coast
Edited by D500Jim 2016-03-27 8:28 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 233
Location: Oxnard/Ventura, California | Wow. I haven't been here much lately, but I will never forget meeting Niel at the 2003 Mopar Spring Fling. To say he is enthusiastic and passionate is an understatement.. If you guys remember my black Coronet, I parked it next to the other black '58 Coronet at the show in 2004. I remember him in that Porkpie hat, covered in various pins. He grabbed my buddy Tom, Huell Howser-style, who is not a Mopar guy, and was showing him all the various fasteners that were different between the two cars. It's been thirteen years, I'll see if I have any photos of him from then.
Edited by Kelly 2016-04-08 11:49 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | Just a short update. I am in Bishop, CA now, and am going to help Neil’s wife sell most of his parts, literature and collectibles. I will do so mostly over eBay and will list the first few items shortly. Some I will offer here, in the correlating Forward Look Swap Meet categories. This is to raise funds to deal with the ridiculous high medical care costs Neil’s wife is left with. If there’s anything you know of and would like to buy, please send me a private message. This is not the place to start discussions about parts and collectibles, of course, so I will post similar messages in the Forward Look Swap Meet categories.
Edited by D500Jim 2016-05-15 1:08 PM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7805
Location: Williams California | Thanks so much for helping Norma out, Jim!! |
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Posts: 2338
Location: central oklahoma! | wow. i can't believe what i have read today. my apologies for not having seen this long, long ago. will post an explanation in a separate thread. |
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Expert
Posts: 1363
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands | One year remembrance Time sure flies. Today, a full year has passed. While going through my photos here are some I would like to share. The first one does not need any explaining The second one is Neil teaching my daughter how to dance 50s style
Edited by D500Jim 2016-09-18 4:15 AM
(IMG_1896a.jpg)
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Attachments ---------------- IMG_1896a.jpg (385KB - 639 downloads) IMG_3705b.jpg (430KB - 627 downloads)
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13042
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Strange feeling - a year passes very quickly, I miss Neils comments every day on the forum. |
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Location: North Australia | Thanks for the reminder Jim, sincerely. Neil was a rare bird, no doubt about it. I am glad I had a chance to cross paths with him on this forum. I think about him often.
Steve. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 982
Location: Upper Hunter NSW Australia | ......
I still remember the feeling of shock I felt 1 year ago today when I read on here about Neils passing.Even though I live thousands of miles away, never met him, never spoke to him and only knew him for a few years he still left a mark on me for all the help he gave me via pm's when I first joined the forum and bought my first Mopar.
Here's cheers to you Neil up there in D500 heaven.
....... |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7805
Location: Williams California | Thanks for posting those photos, Jim.
Neil's wisdom was a big asset to our hobby.
---John |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I first crossed paths with Neil over 30 years ago. I can't remember specifics,
but I remembered Neil. He was the 57 D500 guy that lived far, far way, with
enough enthusiasm that I could feel it in my own living room all the way from
southern California !
He sent me pics of his car and perhaps I sold him some parts, or he helped
me chase a lead on a DeSoto convertible ??? That was another time and universe.
When he finally joined this forum, it was like deja vu all over again. He had
boundless enthusiasm for the FL subject and a warehouse sized brain for all
the minutia that I easily forget. I also think of him often and lament that much
of what we build in knowledge is lost upon our passing.
He was a funny and cantankerous SOB. I used to tease him for having "no
filter". He could really get wound up over hotrodders and customizers, and BOY
could he get them fired up with his "helpful suggestions" !!!
I miss him. |
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Expert
Posts: 3887
Location: Northen Virginia | My small contribution.... The only email I still have from him..
From : d500neil To : hemidenis Date : 2015-03-22 1:22 AM
Subject : RE: Charger
Reply to this message Quote this message Delete this message
I'll let you know...
It's original unrestored, auto on the tree.
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Expert
Posts: 2631
Location: Minor Hill, TN | Me too. I knew he meant well by advising me to insure my '61 when it was being shipped. I did try but the insurance company needed a photo which I did not have and trust me if something did happen to the car during shipping I would of raised all kinds of hell with the company that was doing the shipping. My car arrived safely and its in the garage getting a face lift. |
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