George "Wrenchbender Ret." CapitoFebruary 4, 1934 -January 21, 2025
George's 1970 Chevy C-10 Stepside in the Legacy Gallery
and his
1972 Chevy C-10 Cheyenne Super in the Gallery Forum.
We are deeply saddened to hear that George passed last night.
Although we've lost some great Stovebolters recently, and over the years, I can't think of anyone (past or present) who better epitomized and personified what we've tried to make this community -- kind, passionate and willing to share.
Never one to get into any of our spirited antics, "differences of opinion" or even stray very far from the trucks, George could always be counted on to provide definitive answers based on a tremendous knowledge bank developed over many decades of hands on old school experience. Even in those rare occurrences when things might have gotten out of hand, just a simple, straightforward factual post from George settled things. He was the Oracle at Stovebolt. He said it and we all answered "Amen" and got to work. He'd never get in the middle of one of "those" discussions, but on one or two occasions I was able to coax him into posting *something* that would settle it before friendships got broken. In his easy way, he'd just post something like "Well, I've always done it this way and its worked. Other folks may have a different way of doing it -- there's usually more than one way to do something and have it work out." Or words to that effect. And the heat would instantly go back to room temps and everyone would go about their business.
My favorite memories of George are from Kansas City and the times we were all fortunate to sit in one of his classes -- whether it was rebuilding alternators, carburetors or any other thing we could coax him into teaching, his quiet, friendly way just made it easy to grasp. To him, rebuilding an alternator was so simple, yet to us it seemed like brain surgery. He made it simple. I can't do brain surgery, but thanks to George, I'm not afraid to rebuild an alternator!
George certainly wasn't the only greybeard old school wizard of knowledge and experience on our site, but he was the Dean. Always friendly, never confrontational. When he felt the need to post, we shut up because it was good, definitive, spot on and ... well, there was just no point in following George other than to say "thanks." It was always comforting to know George was around -- people were going to get helped and they were going to enjoy the process.
Not sure how we will carry on, but we need to. Let's follow his example.
Thank you, George, for all the knowledge, wisdom and kindness.
Shalom, shalom.
