Sad news: We have lost our friend Iceracer...

This was posted on the AMEC Facebook page this afternoon:

AMEC - Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club

2h  · 

Long time AMEC member Richard Vedder has passed away. He was one of only 6 AMEC members that were given lifetime memberships in the club. Richard "Dick" as most of us called him was part of AMECs early history and he shows up in the third monthly minutes of the meetings from AMEC’s first year in 1954. He was AMECs long time chief steward in charge of running the ice races for many, many years. He participated in all forms of AMEC race events including the early dirt time trials at the AMEC track in Charlton NY, road rallies, and ice racing for many years. He was ice racing class champion in the early 70’s running a SAAB 96. Dick retired from racing but worked AMEC events for about 30 years and the he came back and raced in the AMEC street legal division for a bunch of years and was considered one of the best in the street legal class. The license plate on his street car was AMEC 1 which was very appropriate. Dick was always at the (in person) AMEC monthly meetings and for AMECs first 50 years or so AMEC had a 50-50 raffle and it seemed like Dick won about every third 50-50 cash prize we I don’t know how he did that. He was a great guy and we will miss him tremendously. He was our last living connection with the early days of AMEC. I interviewed him on video about 10 years ago and will try to get that into a form that people can watch and will try to get a copy to his remaining family. We have not heard if there will be a service yet but if we do we will post it.

RIP Dick

Richard C Vedder May 30 1929 April 28 2021

Posted on April 29, 2021 by dany

May 30 1929 April 28 2021
Richard Charles Vedder, age 91, of Johnstown passed away on Wednesday April 28, 2021 at Nathan Littauer Hospital, Gloversville. Born on May 30, 1929 in Johnstown, he is the son of the late Ira and Myrtle Miller Vedder. Richard has lived in Johnstown all his life, graduating from Johnstown High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1949 until 1952. Richard was known for being a mechanic even in the Air Force. He also loved engines, attending Small Engine School. His passion was anything to do with cars, he loved fast cars. Richard was a racecar driver in Johnstown and was a part of the AMEC (Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club) Racing, which was ice racing on the frozen lakes of Northeastern New York. Lastly, he loved his family especially being able to see his grandkids whenever he could. He was united in marriage to Patricia Vedder in 1990 until her passing in 2000. Richard is survived by his stepchildren, Lisa Calderwood (David), Laurie McClary (Edmund); several other stepchildren, 14 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren; and special friend, Judith Barnes. In addition to his parents, Richard is predeceased by his brothers, Delos Vedder, Robert Vedder; sisters, Gladys Eastham, Marion Vedder. Memorial donations in Richard’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or by going to their website, donate3.cancer.org/ Arrangements have been entrusted to the A.G. Cole Funeral Home, Inc., Johnstown, NY. Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.agcolefuneralhome.com 

Thanks for letting us know, Woody. He was active until just recently, too. I'm glad you were able to give us some closure and he didn't just vanish without an explanation.

Always sucks when one of the GRM family passes on.  I enjoyed reading his post about a sport I've never seen.

Prayers for his family. 

But what a lifetime!!

Part of me is sad that one of our members is gone, but to realize that he was still involved in motor sports at his age makes me smile and gives me hope. RIP Iceracer.

91 is a respectable run and a life well lived.  We should all be so blessed.

RIP Iceracer

He will be missed. To a life well lived!

Indeed, to a life well lived. 

Driver till the end. When every northern guy was lamenting the end of the driving season,  his posts would easily double. Because cold meant ice, and ice meant racing. 

Tailwinds, Dick.

Incredible he was still racing at those ages too. It gives me hope I could do the same, although I believe older generations were built more stout than us new gen. 

Thanks Woody.

Godspeed, Mr. Vedder.

RIP.

Based on reading that, he had a very accurate screen name. 

Good on him for being active and running right up to when he dropped off his perch.  We should be so lucky.

Like all, I've enjoyed his posts and hoped to meet him on the ice, but I agree that it sounds like a life worth living.

Good on ya, mate!

Just think for a moment about the span of his lifetime...

He was the son of a Stutz dealer and yet he was posting here on the forum within the past week or so. 

Wow. He is an inspiration for us young guys in our 60s to keep going. 

Sounds like he had a good run. 

I didn't know that he had been in the fight and I wasn't aware that he iceraced a BG chassis. Either thing would've caused me to make a socially distanced visit had I known. 

I don't remember any of his posts, but impressive all the way round! Same age as my Dad, and in the service at the same time (mine was air frame electrician in the 'Guard) They sure did build em tough back then!

Rest In Peace, Sir, and all my best to family and friends for their loss. 

I remember he posted a regularly and a number of threads that I've made over the years. Never knew that he was of such an age but always thought he was very insightful. Now I wish I could have gotten out to one of his ice races as i intended over the last few years. RiP friend.

Here's to iceracer!

You never know what to say when someone you know passes, this family of ours is always gaining and losing members. While some times it is to other hobbies we all take notice when they pass through their final timing light here on our plane.

I would have never guessed that Iceracer was 91. This format strips all of those ideas from our minds and boils us all down to who we really are, automotive enthusiasts. 

Thank you, Mr. Vedder for your service, candor and companionship.

Now I know who to dedicate this Old Fashioned to...  RIP.

I had no idea that he was 91. It seems like he lived a full life. I enjoyed his posts on here.

RIP iceracer!

Thanks for posting that Woody.  To Dick Vedder / iceracer! 

Having never met in the real world I would never have guessed his age from his posts. Godspeed Dick