Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

5 Pages V  1 2 3 > »   
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Jake Raby's dad died, Sadness strikes a 914 supporter
HAM Inc
post Oct 23 2009, 05:00 PM
Post #1


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 846
Joined: 24-July 06
From: Watkinsville,GA
Member No.: 6,499
Region Association: None
Just thought I'd let the community know that Jake's dad died in his sleep Wed night. The following is by Jake from his forum.

Today the RAT family lost our Father, my Dad, Harry. I could not reach him by phone today, so I took a break from the dyno to find him peaceful in his bed. After all of his nightmarish surgeries and weeks spent in the Hospital with heart problems for the past 20 years+ he was able to go peacefully in his own home where he had lived for the past 40 years.

My Dad may not have started this company, but without him and his constant inspiration over the years none of what we have created as a team would exist. My Dad gave me a tool box and a whole lot of support along with a concrete floor poured into an old hog pen and we started buying, selling and working on old VWs after my Mom died when I was 14 years old. The rest of this story is long and detailed, but that old floor, tool box and support is what started everything that these forums and our work is all about.

My dad wasn't a mechanic, but he was handy.. He never twisted wrenchs here but he continually gave me the support, drive and the challenge to do better. He taught me from a very young age about how to conduct business, how to be fair and how to be honest. He taught me to tell it like it is, be forward and that if that pissed someone off, so be it because it was the truth. He taught me that the "Only way around trouble is straight through the damn middle". Every day I have worked to meet his expectations and I'll do so for the rest of my life.

He answered our phones here at RAT for the last 4 years. He enjoyed talking to people from all over the world that were calling to inquire about what we could offer them. He will be impossible to replace, because he would talk to some people for long periods of time when they called to talk to me when I wasn't available. He wanted me to be successful and he'd go out of his way to get messages to us, even when he didn't feel like it. He has literally had a heart attack while talking to a customer, but he still got the job done!

He would sometimes tell stories to people that called about how all of this got started, and he took great pride in knowing that what we started over 20 years ago was able to grow into the following that is the heart of this forum and our customer base.

Up until last night he was feeling fine, he had been on his tractor in the yard and tried to fire up his 1949 Willys Jeep too. He had grilled some burgers and made one for me last night, so I took a 5 minute break from the 911 engine I was building to go grab the burger and he was feeling fine.. He took all of his meds as prescribed last night and his vitals that he logged down around 9:30 last night were fine.. Some time in the night he passed away, probably from one of the arteries that had a 90+ blockage that we couldn't find a surgeon that had enough balls to try to repair for the umpteenth time. We were told last month after his last heart attack that his time was drawing near and he and I both knew that too. We spent more time together and earlier this week we had some good times target practicing and sighting in rifles for hunting season. I knew it would be soon but didn't expect this, not now especially since he had been more active and wasn't eating quite as many nitro tablets as he was before. (He consumed Nitro like candy, but he kept going and kept working)

My Dad had pre-arranged his own Funeral and it was his choice to have a small family and close friends get together so thats what we'll be doing sometime over the weekend.

My Dad was a Shriner, so in lieu of flowers we request that a donation be made to the Shriner's Children Hospital or to the American Heart Association in memory of Harry Raby.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jimkelly
post Oct 23 2009, 05:03 PM
Post #2


Delaware USA
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,969
Joined: 5-August 04
From: Delaware, USA
Member No.: 2,460
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
My deepest condolences to Jake and his entire family.

Jim
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
zymurgist
post Oct 23 2009, 05:10 PM
Post #3


"Ace" Mechanic
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,411
Joined: 9-June 05
From: Hagerstown, MD
Member No.: 4,238
Region Association: None
I'm sorry for your loss, Jake. He must have been one of a kind.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Katmanken
post Oct 23 2009, 05:13 PM
Post #4


You haven't seen me if anybody asks...
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,738
Joined: 14-June 03
From: USA
Member No.: 819
Region Association: Upper MidWest
Sorry to hear that your dad has died.

Dad's are special people that teach us so much.

There is never a good way for a loved one to go, but I am glad that you got to spend time with him and hope that there was nothing unsaid. Having one go without closure is worse.

Take care, remember the good times and remember all that he did to make you who you are.

Ken
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
race914
post Oct 23 2009, 05:15 PM
Post #5


73 914-4
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,006
Joined: 31-October 05
From: Nipomo, California (Central Coast)
Member No.: 5,027
Region Association: Central California
Jake,

So sorry to hear of your loss.

Greg
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
736conver
post Oct 23 2009, 05:17 PM
Post #6


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,117
Joined: 25-May 03
From: SE Wisconsin
Member No.: 736
Region Association: None
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
thompson-mfr
post Oct 23 2009, 05:20 PM
Post #7


Thompson, Ryan
**

Group: Members
Posts: 198
Joined: 30-September 08
From: Silverton, OR
Member No.: 9,598
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
I will be praying for you and your family at this difficult time.

Just lost my older brother from arterial blockage 70-80% at 31 years old.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rjames
post Oct 23 2009, 05:21 PM
Post #8


I'm made of metal
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,913
Joined: 24-July 05
From: Shoreline, WA
Member No.: 4,467
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
So sorry to hear of your loss, Jake. Thank you for sharing some personal stories about him. My thoughts are with you.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
tod914
post Oct 23 2009, 05:22 PM
Post #9


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,755
Joined: 19-January 03
From: Lincoln Park, NJ
Member No.: 170
Jake so sorry for your loss. Seems your Dad was quite an inspiration. Prayers are with you.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
r_towle
post Oct 23 2009, 05:26 PM
Post #10


Custom Member
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 24,560
Joined: 9-January 03
From: Taxachusetts
Member No.: 124
Region Association: North East States
Jake, I am sorry for your loss. You Dad sounds like a great man and he will be with you forever...

Rich
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
PanelBilly
post Oct 23 2009, 05:29 PM
Post #11


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,797
Joined: 23-July 06
From: Kent, Wa
Member No.: 6,488
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
My Dad has been gone for nearly 20 years and I can still feel him beside me. Sometimes I look at my hands and I see my fathers fingers. All worn from life, yet still willing to help. I know your Dad will be with you for the rest of your life.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Rod
post Oct 23 2009, 05:53 PM
Post #12


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 616
Joined: 1-January 08
From: Farnham UK
Member No.: 8,526
Region Association: England
Rest in peace Mr Raby. 20 years is a long time to be fighting..
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rfuerst911sc
post Oct 23 2009, 06:04 PM
Post #13


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,158
Joined: 4-May 06
From: Dahlonega , Georgia
Member No.: 5,980
Region Association: South East States
Jake sorry for your loss. My dads been gone for years but I think about him daily and that's a good thing. Sounds like you have great memories to cherish for years to come.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
davep
post Oct 23 2009, 06:14 PM
Post #14


914 Historian
*****

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 5,137
Joined: 13-October 03
From: Burford, ON, N0E 1A0
Member No.: 1,244
Region Association: Canada
May he rest in peace.
My wife's parents are deceased, but my own are going strong at ninety plus.
I give thanks every day that they are still healthy.
Our condolences.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
carr914
post Oct 23 2009, 06:27 PM
Post #15


Racer from Birth
****************************************************************************************************

Group: Members
Posts: 118,138
Joined: 2-February 04
From: Tampa,FL
Member No.: 1,623
Region Association: South East States
Condolances Jake & Healthy Prayers for the rest of your family. I have never bought your products, but have drivin the end result & I'm sure you made your Dad Proud

all the best,
T.C.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Geezer914
post Oct 23 2009, 06:38 PM
Post #16


Geezer914
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,381
Joined: 18-March 09
From: Salem, NJ
Member No.: 10,179
Region Association: North East States
It's tough to loose your Dad. I miss mine every day. You were fortunate to have been able to spend a lot of time with him these last few years. He died peacefully in his sleep at home. I hope that's the way the lord takes me. I feel for people that suffer for years in nursing homes, only to die alone. Your Dad will be my prayers.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Richard Casto
post Oct 23 2009, 06:59 PM
Post #17


Blue Sky Motorsports, LLC
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,465
Joined: 2-August 05
From: Durham, NC
Member No.: 4,523
Region Association: South East States
Sorry to hear this. I lost my dad in August of this year and it's a hard thing to deal with.

Richard
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Joe Owensby
post Oct 23 2009, 07:14 PM
Post #18


JoeO
***

Group: Members
Posts: 527
Joined: 7-January 06
From: Spartanburg, SC
Member No.: 5,385
Region Association: South East States
My thoughts and prayers are with the Raby family. I think it is great that Jake and his dad were so close and shared life. Sorry for your loss Jake. JoeO
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Lou W
post Oct 23 2009, 07:34 PM
Post #19


"Here Kitty Kitty" my ass......
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,109
Joined: 9-May 04
From: Roseburg, OR.
Member No.: 2,039
Region Association: Spain
Sorry to hear about your loss, sounds like he was a good guy, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Treasure the memories. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Gint
post Oct 23 2009, 07:47 PM
Post #20


Mike Ginter
***************

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,066
Joined: 26-December 02
From: Denver CO.
Member No.: 20
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
I'm very sorry for your loss Jake. Sounds like your dad was a great man.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

5 Pages V  1 2 3 > » 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 24th April 2024 - 06:16 AM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...