I got a call from Dick's daughter today. His memorial service will be on Tuesday, May 20, 2pm, at a funeral home called "Omega", 223 SE 122nd. She thought they would appreciate donations to the Audobon Society in lieu of flowers. I can't be there, unfortunately, but maybe a few Ferraris can show up.
Thank you all for your kind words. My dad worked very hard and thoroughly enjoyed all his friends and customers. Memorial service: Tuesday, May 20th @ 2:00 pm Omega Funeral Services (across the street from Ron Tonkin...oddly enough!) 223 SE 122nd Ave Portland, OR In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Audubon Society of Portland Wildlife Care Center http://www.audubonportland.org/donate Jenn....Richard's daughter
Jenn-- thanks for posting here! I really enjoyed talking with your dad, and going over to his shop. It just had a feel all it's own. I think the Audobon society is very appropriate, as I will always remember the bird feeder out front and KBPS (classical) playing on the radio.
I remember going to his shop to pick up my car and there sat a Daytona and many other older Ferraris. I couldnt believe the number of different models and types of cars he worked on. He was a very nice man and will be missed. He sure loved feeding those birds and the squirrels.
I will always remember the many occasions that I talked with Dick, and the times that he serviced my car. Quite often the experiences were humorous, and I was always impressed how fussy he was. My A/C compressor had failed. I bought a generic York - which looked nearly identical. He asked what I paid for it. Well, when I went back later to pick up the car, I found the new compressor still in the trunk. He rebuilt the old one, charging what I paid for the new one. I'm sure that he lost money on the rebuild, factoring in his time. He said that he couldn't stand to use a non original part if he could help it. Still blows cold...... Hans.
This is a great article I found online. http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Archives/CA_Show_Article/0,2322,1071,00.html
I took my 348 in about 7 weeks ago for a 30k service. Dick was so conscientious. He emailed me while I was out of town, in St Louis, to tell me how troubled he was about the unusual wear pattern of my fly wheel, and how he promised to get the machine shop to be extra careful, and get to the bottom of it. I don't have the car back yet, given the tragedy of the last few weeks, but I know when it comes back, it will be perfect, and well worth the wait. I will miss his skill, perfectionism, customer care, and sense of humor. Jenn, my best to you, Linda, and your family. Thank you again for calling. I'm very sorry I was unable to attend the service. (I am, unfortunately, an attorney in the middle of a trial, which is both all consuming and immovable). Tom
There are probably hundreds of Dick Guthrie stories that could be posted here.... And I don't think it would be in bad taste to do so, because even if they were not completely flattering (and I doubt anybody would find anything bad anyway), all stories that I have heard were, uh, well, just part of his legend. Like the time a customer found him sound asleep laying under a 250GTE. hehe. I have several that I could share. What amazed me was that on the East side of the shop would normally be a bunch of Ferraris in various states of disassembly, while on the opposite side you could find anything from an airplane engine to a grandfather clock to an antique motorcycle to a cruise missile. His shop was a working museum. Hans.