Jake Raby's dad died, Sadness strikes a 914 supporter |
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Jake Raby's dad died, Sadness strikes a 914 supporter |
HAM Inc |
Oct 23 2009, 05:00 PM
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#1
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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. |
jimkelly |
Oct 23 2009, 05:03 PM
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#2
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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 |
zymurgist |
Oct 23 2009, 05:10 PM
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#3
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"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.
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Katmanken |
Oct 23 2009, 05:13 PM
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#4
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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 |
race914 |
Oct 23 2009, 05:15 PM
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#5
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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 |
736conver |
Oct 23 2009, 05:17 PM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,117 Joined: 25-May 03 From: SE Wisconsin Member No.: 736 Region Association: None |
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thompson-mfr |
Oct 23 2009, 05:20 PM
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#7
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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. |
rjames |
Oct 23 2009, 05:21 PM
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#8
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I'm made of metal Group: Members Posts: 3,922 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.
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tod914 |
Oct 23 2009, 05:22 PM
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#9
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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.
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r_towle |
Oct 23 2009, 05:26 PM
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#10
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,573 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 |
PanelBilly |
Oct 23 2009, 05:29 PM
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#11
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,804 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.
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Rod |
Oct 23 2009, 05:53 PM
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#12
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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..
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rfuerst911sc |
Oct 23 2009, 06:04 PM
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#13
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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.
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davep |
Oct 23 2009, 06:14 PM
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#14
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914 Historian Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,138 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. |
carr914 |
Oct 23 2009, 06:27 PM
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#15
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Racer from Birth Group: Members Posts: 118,404 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. |
Geezer914 |
Oct 23 2009, 06:38 PM
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#16
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Geezer914 Group: Members Posts: 1,393 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.
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Richard Casto |
Oct 23 2009, 06:59 PM
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#17
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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 |
Joe Owensby |
Oct 23 2009, 07:14 PM
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#18
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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
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Lou W |
Oct 23 2009, 07:34 PM
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#19
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"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)
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Gint |
Oct 23 2009, 07:47 PM
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#20
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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.
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