Carl Thompson Passes Away

[avantilover]

There you go, another "First" by Studebaker. Richard Quinn will heve to add that to his list of Studebaker "Firsts."

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Lockleys South Australia

[Roscomacaw]

I had the pleasure of talking with him a bit during the '97 meet. He was in the archives, answering questions and I snagged him for a bit and asked him about his parts book days.
I showed him where the truck books have an illustration showing that the front cab mounts are affixed to the front MOTOR MOUNTS!!![8]
He just chuckled softly and said something to the effect of "We didn't quite catch all the goofs, did we?"

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

I had the pleasure of talking with him a bit during the '97 meet. He was in the archives, answering questions and I snagged him for a bit and asked him about his parts book days.
I showed him where the truck books have an illustration showing that the front cab mounts are affixed to the front MOTOR MOUNTS!!![8]
He just chuckled softly and said something to the effect of "We didn't quite catch all the goofs, did we?"

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Studebaker Wheel]

I had known Carl for over 35 years and considered him a good friend. I visited with him on many occasions at Plant 8, his home on Varsity Drive and after he moved into the retirement facility at St. Pauls which was located only a few miles from the 2007 meet grounds.

I have never met a man of a more kind, gentle disposition. He was the SDC's best friend in South Bend after the closing in 1963. There were many above him who wanted nothing to do with the SDC and actually encouraged him to ignore their requests.

Not only did he assist the club as long as he was employed but he even lead the SDC fund drive in the mid 1970's after Plant 8 closed.

I have many photos of Carl but thought I would share the one above since it shows him at Plant 8 the way he was when I first met him back in the early 1970's. The cabinets in back contained a complete set of all parts books and shop manuals back to the teens. Carl also kept a card file of all interchange numbers, the original vendors names and even other vendors whose parts would interchange. Unfortunately these were apparently disposed of not long after he departed.

Carl was a great and gentle man who will be missed by all who knew him.

Richard Quinn
editor: Antique Studebaker Review

[Studebaker Wheel]

I had known Carl for over 35 years and considered him a good friend. I visited with him on many occasions at Plant 8, his home on Varsity Drive and after he moved into the retirement facility at St. Pauls which was located only a few miles from the 2007 meet grounds.

I have never met a man of a more kind, gentle disposition. He was the SDC's best friend in South Bend after the closing in 1963. There were many above him who wanted nothing to do with the SDC and actually encouraged him to ignore their requests.

Not only did he assist the club as long as he was employed but he even lead the SDC fund drive in the mid 1970's after Plant 8 closed.

I have many photos of Carl but thought I would share the one above since it shows him at Plant 8 the way he was when I first met him back in the early 1970's. The cabinets in back contained a complete set of all parts books and shop manuals back to the teens. Carl also kept a card file of all interchange numbers, the original vendors names and even other vendors whose parts would interchange. Unfortunately these were apparently disposed of not long after he departed.

Carl was a great and gentle man who will be missed by all who knew him.

Richard Quinn
editor: Antique Studebaker Review

[Avantidon]

Dick, Thanks for the great words and picture.

See you in the future as I write about our past

[Avantidon]

Dick, Thanks for the great words and picture.

See you in the future as I write about our past

[89Merlot]

Re Carl B. Thompson. My parents and Carl & Helen Thompson were neighbors on Varsity Dr. in South Bend for many years; they lived across the street from each other. Carl was a very gracious & humble man, and certainly an excellent photographer. He took pictures at my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party and gave them a beautiful set of memory pictures.
Unfortunately, Helen passed away just a few weeks after they had moved from their home into their "new" apartment at St Paul's Retirment Community
I last saw Carl in 2004, the last time I visited South Bend. We talked and remembered the "good old Studebaker" days for several hours. He will certainly be missed.


Steve Zee

[89Merlot]

Re Carl B. Thompson. My parents and Carl & Helen Thompson were neighbors on Varsity Dr. in South Bend for many years; they lived across the street from each other. Carl was a very gracious & humble man, and certainly an excellent photographer. He took pictures at my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party and gave them a beautiful set of memory pictures.
Unfortunately, Helen passed away just a few weeks after they had moved from their home into their "new" apartment at St Paul's Retirment Community
I last saw Carl in 2004, the last time I visited South Bend. We talked and remembered the "good old Studebaker" days for several hours. He will certainly be missed.


Steve Zee