'Bart' Davis of Schuyler, VA died this past Wednesday at Hospice House in Charlottesville, VA. Bart was the son of the late Russell and Ruth Tegeler Davis of Middletown, New York. He was a graduate of Middletown High School. He served in the US Air Force.
Bart was widely known as a mechanical genius and loved all things about engines. His happiest moments were spent working on or reading about cars and motorcycles, and he could recite the history of even the most obscure and long forgotten motor companies. He was an ASE certified mechanic and generous with his knowledge and expertise to anyone with an engine question. In recent years, Bart had worked as a builder and groundskeeper and had taken up fishing as a passtime. He was a member of the Greater Virginia Chapter and the Studebaker Drivers Club. Bart loved life and always wore a smile and had many friends because he was interested in all whom he met.
Bart is survived his lovely wife, Jaye, his son, Barton, and his sisters Gloria and Glenda and a host of extended family members. He was predeceased by his brother, Stanley, in Viet Nam in 1968. A funeral service for Bart will be held in Middletown, NY on Monday, July 21, 2008 with burial to follow in the family cemetary in Calkins, PA.
It was always a pleasure to be around Bart, and especially visit his well equipped garage with all of its motorcycles and NOS Studebaker parts hanging from the walls. I can't tell you about his motorcycles because I'm not knowledgeable on the topic. He was especially proud of his fine running '55 Commander 4 door that he resurrected from the bone yard. There was also a number of 'projects and junkers' including 2 '55 Presidents, '58 Commander, 50 Champion and several Larks and unmentionables.
I recall vividly Bart and Jaye's first Chapter meeting in the mid-90s. Here was Bart, dressed as a biker with his long hair in a pony tail and leather. There we were, typical older Studebaker people with our traditional haircuts and slacks and botton-down shirts. Eyebrows were raised, some winks passed. But it didn't take long to realize that smile on Bart's face was sincere. We also realized his profound knowledge of Studebaker and Studebaker history was no fluke either. He won everyone over. (Of course, having Jaye with him was quite a positive) He will be missed by many friends and family. Bart, you were quite a man!
Frank Drumheller, Editor
The Studebaker Menu
The Greater Virginia Chapter, SDC, Inc.
Louisa, VA 23093
Bart was widely known as a mechanical genius and loved all things about engines. His happiest moments were spent working on or reading about cars and motorcycles, and he could recite the history of even the most obscure and long forgotten motor companies. He was an ASE certified mechanic and generous with his knowledge and expertise to anyone with an engine question. In recent years, Bart had worked as a builder and groundskeeper and had taken up fishing as a passtime. He was a member of the Greater Virginia Chapter and the Studebaker Drivers Club. Bart loved life and always wore a smile and had many friends because he was interested in all whom he met.
Bart is survived his lovely wife, Jaye, his son, Barton, and his sisters Gloria and Glenda and a host of extended family members. He was predeceased by his brother, Stanley, in Viet Nam in 1968. A funeral service for Bart will be held in Middletown, NY on Monday, July 21, 2008 with burial to follow in the family cemetary in Calkins, PA.
It was always a pleasure to be around Bart, and especially visit his well equipped garage with all of its motorcycles and NOS Studebaker parts hanging from the walls. I can't tell you about his motorcycles because I'm not knowledgeable on the topic. He was especially proud of his fine running '55 Commander 4 door that he resurrected from the bone yard. There was also a number of 'projects and junkers' including 2 '55 Presidents, '58 Commander, 50 Champion and several Larks and unmentionables.
I recall vividly Bart and Jaye's first Chapter meeting in the mid-90s. Here was Bart, dressed as a biker with his long hair in a pony tail and leather. There we were, typical older Studebaker people with our traditional haircuts and slacks and botton-down shirts. Eyebrows were raised, some winks passed. But it didn't take long to realize that smile on Bart's face was sincere. We also realized his profound knowledge of Studebaker and Studebaker history was no fluke either. He won everyone over. (Of course, having Jaye with him was quite a positive) He will be missed by many friends and family. Bart, you were quite a man!
Frank Drumheller, Editor
The Studebaker Menu
The Greater Virginia Chapter, SDC, Inc.
Louisa, VA 23093