Remembering Don Rechards 1927 – 2007 By Dennis Jolicoeur

11/5/2007 - Again I must report that Ocean Bay has lost another long-time member Don Richards, or as he was known to many of his friends, Diesel Don. Don passed away on September 13, 2007. Don and his wife Nancy lived in Mason, New Hampshire; he was a member of the Studebaker Drivers Club and the Antique Studebaker Club, as well as a long-time member of the Ocean Bay Chapter and a member of the Tri-Spokes Chapter. Don was born in Chatham Kent, England on January 12, 1927. He served in the British Army with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers near the end of WW II where he was first introduced to Studebaker 6 x 6s. He became a naturalized citizen here in Boston in 1957. He joined the US Army in 1961 and served with the Engineer, Armor and Ordinance divisions, retiring in 1988 as a Chief Warrant Officer, he was very proud of his Army service. Don was a collector of Army vehicles and was very active with a military collectors club. A number of years ago, he located, two Studebaker 6 x 6s that he had hoped to restore, but sadly, never had the opportunity. Don was best known in the Studebaker world for his 1963 Studebaker Diesel Motor Home, that he drove everywhere even to the Studebaker National Meet in South Bend this past June. It was here that I last saw Don and had a chance to talk to him. He seemed tired and not at his best but we did have a chance to chat. I first met Don and Nancy in the mid 1980s while Ocean Bay was hosting one of the Northeast Zone Meets in Northampton Massachusetts. I can remember taking a picture of Don and Nancy standing beside their Studebaker Fire Engine- it seems like just yesterday. I have many memories of Don! He was a great person to know! He always had a story to tell. He was a great help to me at the 1990 SDC International Meet, which Ocean Bay hosted in Marlboro. He and Nancy set up their Studebaker Motor Home on the fairgrounds and watched over the grounds at night where all the outside vendors had set up making sure nothing happened to anything. Don would report to me every morning on the happenings of the night, a strong reminder of his military background! Don was real proud of his military service and of course his Studebaker motor home. I can remember him setting up the Studebaker motor home with his military display Diesel Don s Motor Pool at Dave Lynchs Apple Farm one year, with the Union Jack and the American flag flying high on a flag pole that he always set up everyplace he went. I could always count on Don to help out wherever I need him. He was always one of the first to volunteer for any Ocean Bay event. Don and Nancy attended most all Ocean Bay events travelling great distances. It was always great to see them show up for Ocean Bays Christmas Party here at my home in Bridgewater, I knew it was a long distance for them to travel. I cant remember a Zone Meet that Don did not attend! He was always there! The Studebaker Motor Home always made quite the statement especially the way Don would display it. It was quite noticeable that Don and Nancy were missing at this years Northeast Zone Meet and I know as this years Octoberfest passes into history, I will miss his presence as I have so many other Ocean Bay members that have passed on, leaving a great void in our membership. Don was carried to his final resting place on the back World War II, Dodge WC51 Weapons Carrier, followed by many of his friends in the Studebaker Drivers Club, driving their Studebakers. Some 15 or so Studebakers following the WC51 made this an occasion that wont be forgotten too soon. A fitting way to say Good-bye to Don! Don was also a long-time member of the Masons and was a great supporter of the Shriners. He is survived by his wife Nancy, six children and several grandchildren. In Dons memory the Ocean Bay Chapter (in lieu of flowers) in conjunction with the Tri-Spokes Chapter has purchased an 8 x 8 Garden Pathway Brick to be placed in the Memorial Garden at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend Indiana. The inscription will read as follows: In Memory of Don Richards Tri-Spokes & Ocean Bay Chapters SDC