RIP John Larson, AKA Cap'n Krusty Options

[markb]

I knew this was coming. I quess this is true for all of us.

I met John on four occasions. I had heard through one of the members here that he could rebuild 901 transmissions. I gave him a PM and asked if he could help, and of course he said he would.

We made the exchange in Pasadena, and it turns out we had more in common since I had grown up there and his parents had lived there too.

So after a few emails with the exchange and pictures, turns out the bearings in the trans were shot….brass cages were gone ect …ect. ..but gear cluster looked great.

He wanted it done right.

My goal was to learn something….I told him that…(no offense Doc)…but this guy knew more about Porsche and mechanics than anyone I had met, and probably ever will,(Maybe
Slits comes close). We just don’t live in the same time I grew up in. That is what has struck me about his passing.

The internet is information. John had knowledge. There is a difference.

Back in March of this year (I think), I knew he was coming down to the Phoenix Club for the annual swap meet. I saw him there and he looked healthy enough. He said he was almost done with it (the trans) and that I could pick it up on my way up there but that he was having some serious health problems. I knew what that meant just by the way he said it.

I went to his house, after the WCR, to pick up the trans with a couple of other folks that were kind enough to haul it back. I had so much crap stuffed into the frunk I just didn’t have room for it.

He hadn’t the strength to put the nosecone on the trans back on. I told him I could do it. He insisted on helping.

As I noticed the silicone on the shift fork flange I asked him why that was there?

His answer?

“Because someone else didn’t know what the fuck they were doing”.

Here is to you John. I had a few beers in my garage tonight (maybe more that a few) and wrote “Thanks John” on the top of the trans with my diamond engraver.

You shared so much with others.

God bless you and your family. I had the privilege of meeting them.

Aha! That was YOUR trans that was there! It was while working on that that John started really showing his illness. I was watching him assemble the gears, and he stopped, and I could tell he was mentally questioning himself. He went inside, looked at the exploded diagram, came back out & resumed assembling. He had done it right, but his memory was making him question things. When he started getting frustrated because of it, I knew it was over. We stopped working on the car projects, and started getting things together so they could be sent to their respective owners. It was a very sad day for me.

John had more knowledge about cars than I will ever dream of having. I now can take apart a 914 and put it back together with very little trouble. John was the one who taught me that. I'm not good with engine & transmission internals, and he was the one who told me that it was OK not to be good at EVERYTHING. He couldn't do upholstery, and I could, so we each had our place. When I had to give up the 914's, I decided to get out of cars completely & revive my music career, and he was immensely supportive. He came to watch me play a few times with his wife and gave me constructive criticism and praise in the same breath.

There are a gazillion stories I could tell, having been at the shop with him for 7 years, but I'm only going to say that I have, and probably never will again, meet a better human being than John.

[hcdmueller]

Rest in peace.

I will definitely miss the no bullshit responses and great information.

[TJB/914]

RIP.
Tom

[Lou W]

I'm sorry to hear this, I always enjoyed his posts and comments. RIP

[Chris Pincetich]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
So sad to hear of Cap'n's passing. He led a full life, and his expertise will live forever here on 914 World. That's pretty special, I think. I was out and about with my 914 at swaps and races all over 2008-2010, and less so lately. John's passing reminds me how awesome it was to meet him and all the other faces behind the names here on 914 World (back then, 914 Club!).

Cheers to John, and to all the gifts he shared with this community (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

P.S. I'll second that request to find and post a pic of The Cap'n in his signature big 'ol swap meet hat. That's how I'll always remember him.

[aharder]

RIP

[old dog]

It's my sad duty to tell you that our own Cap'n Krusty, John Larson, has passed away from pancreatic cancer. It was my honor to call him my friend.

The Capt was one of the reasons I stopped "lurking" and joined. Someone with tons of knowledge , who only spoke when necessary and was looked up to by everyone. My condolences to his family and to Mark. It is hard to lose someone you work with and respect, and love like family. I hope someone thinks up a fitting way to honor this kind man, so others will learn of him in the future.

[green914]

RIP (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) sad news I always enjoyed reading his post, and appreciated his expertise.

[strawman]

RIP, Cap'n. I met you a couple of times at Parts Haven swaps in years past. To be honest, based on some of your posts here on 914Club/World, I was expecting a crotchety old fart -- like my recently departed grandfather who was also a consummate tinkerer/fixer and who also had a sharp tongue. But you were actually more like a kind and caring teacher in person. And you always wanted me to take more than I needed so you wouldn't have to haul it home. My car -- whenever it is finally done -- will be better thanks to your kindness and your wisdom. Thanks brother.

[shane]

Sad loss, can't find his last post (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[75914-L20C]

RIP, John.

I remember when John first joined the Porschephiles mailing list. As I sized up the newbie, I quickly realized that John knew his stuff. When he posted, it was time to pay attention because I was going to learn something.

John's knowledge and hard on the outside/soft on the inside personna were a great asset to the World.

[oldschool]

Wow I just met him, On the first leg of our 914 experience run. I'll try to put a small clip of the interview we did with him @ eric display booth. He came up to me and ask how I was doing from the heart attack I just had. And then he told me about his sickness (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[914dave]

RIP, Cap'n

[Nine_14]

I'm sorry to hear this, I always enjoyed his posts and comments. RIP

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Sorry to hear of this loss.
I would like to express my condolences.
My thoughts are with the family.
We will always remember him as an extraordinary member of 914world.

RIP

[ww914]

It's my sad duty to tell you that our own Cap'n Krusty, John Larson, has passed away from pancreatic cancer. It was my honor to call him my friend.

I am saddened to hear of John's passing. He was a good guy for sure. We will all miss him. RIP John.

[plymouth37]

Wow, so sorry to hear this, going to miss you buddy!

[andys]

Left town for a few days only to return to this unfortunate news. John, RIP my friend.

Andys

[mgp4591]

I only had a few exchanged posts with the Cap'n in my couple of years here and missed meeting him by one day out at Bonneville last year. In those exchanges and reading other posts you could tell the knowledge was there and in abundance- his delivery was impeccable and his attitude was never condescending.
You're missed greatly already our friend...

[SLITS]

This was written a long time ago .....

'twas the end of an arduous day,
the garage doors closed quietly,
lights in their turn dimmed and went out,
wrenches cooled from the warmth of the hand.

tomorrow will not see the rising of the sun,
tomorrow will not hear the bustle of activity,
tomorrow and beyond the mechanic will rest peacefully,
tomorrow his horizon is eternity.

[lonewolfe]

This was written a long time ago .....

'twas the end of an arduous day,
the garage doors closed quietly,
lights in their turn dimmed and went out,
wrenches cooled from the warmth of the hand.

tomorrow will not see the rising of the sun,
tomorrow will not hear the bustle of activity,
tomorrow and beyond the mechanic will rest peacefully,
tomorrow his horizon is eternity.

Beautiful and fitting!