Landracing Forum
Misc Forums => Health, Welfare, and Passings => Topic started by: NathanStewart on September 14, 2017, 03:33:07 PM
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From the SCTA health and welfare: Jeanice called this morning to tell us that Chuck Kalbach passed away last night. He turned 85 in August and they had just celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary. Chuck was a long time member of the Rod Riders and one of our most treasured volunteers for many years - a true friend to the SCTA. He will be sorely missed. More information will be available soon.
Known Chuck all my life. A good guy. Easy going. Did the course layouts at El Mirage for a long time. Sad to hear he has passed.
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Thanks for the sad news, Nathan. Sorry to hear about Chuck.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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This one hurts.
Chuck helped me get to my first LSR event.
It was 1993 or 94, and I wanted to come out to El Mirage to see what this "LSR" thing was all about. I had NO IDEA who to talk to.
Because of their long-time involvement with land speed racing, the only contact I could even THINK of was Mooneyes.
I called and explained what I wanted to do - a trip with my dad for the November meet, and they put me in touch with Chuck.
This was pre-internet, so I wrote him, and he wrote back to me with information, and a map!
We made a point to look him up when we arrived to thank him.
That weekend, he was running either a '52 or '53 Ford. The car had seen a couple of iterations, and because of the year, he could run either a flathead or the OHV inline 6. He mentioned it was a class rule regarding the engine choices, which I didn't quite understand - didn't look like there were any rules to me! One guy had a 351 Cleveland powered Camaro there, so I was confused. Before I left, I had purchased my first SCTA-BNI rulebook.
It's entirely possible that if I hadn't made that trip, I might never have been involved in LSR.
My thoughts are with his friends and family. My gratitude to Chuck, for simply taking the time to put together a note and a map, is heartfelt and unwavering.
Godspeed, sir, and thank you, so much.
Sincerely,
Chris Conrad
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Chuck has been a SCTA supporter for longer than I can remember. He always seemed to have time for anyone asking for it. He was a friend. RIP Mr. Kalbach.