They actually announced his passing on the local LA AM news station. I chatted on the phone with him once accidentally. At one of my past jobs I happened to answer the phone and someone who managed accounts at either SEMA or PRI (can't remember which) was calling to talk to the president of the company. I said sorry he's out, who may I ask is calling and he says oh just let him know Tom McEwan called and I said I'm sorry did you say Tom McEwan and he said yes, Tom McEwan. I said thee Tom McEwan and he said yep that's me... thee Tom McEwan. I said thee Mongoose and he said yep thee Mongoose. I said WOW! We chatted for a min about racing and jobs and such. He was really nice and obviously a legend. Sad to hear he passed.