I first met Dick in the early '70s when he moved to California. Here's Dick polishing his Deuce Tudor at the 1st west coast street rod mini-nationals - LODI '73:
Here's Eaton's Deuce Hiboy Roadster * ... ... circa 1976 at the 11th Annual Roadster Roundup - Visalia: image by @fuely32 ... circa 1976 at the "Un-Nationals" ay Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA: image by Alex Szczepanski ... circa 1976 with Andy Southard Jr's (ex Lee Titus) Deuce Roadster at @Andy's Salinas, CA home: images from the @AndySS photo archives ... as it appeared in a circa 1977 STREET RODDER magazine feature article: image by @AndySS ... an "outtake" from the STREET RODDER photo shoot *: image from the @AndySS photo archives ... and circa 1977 at the 4th Annual Rod-O-Rama Winery Cruise in Paso Robles: image by @fuely32 * NOTE: Dick's old hiboy is now owned / rebuilt by HAMBer @Deuce-Deano Scott. * NOTE: Dick always had a great sense of humor ... when Andy Southard Jr. wanted to get a shot of Dick behind the {steering} wheel of his hiboy, he obliged by sitting down behind the rear wheel
Here's Dick's chopped HEMI-powered Model A Coupe: photographer unknown image by @fuely32 photographer unknown
Very sad to hear. Met Dick and Karen in the mid 80's and had a lot of fun at various events with them. The aqua tudor behind the hemi powered coupe is his tuned port injected hemi powered 32 tudor. I first met Dick when it was gold with a small block Ford in it. RIP Dick.
Sad - we're begining to lose that generation that started the hot rod resurgence, after a period of muscle cars, VW dune buggies and custom vans. Cragars ruled in the late '60's and well into the '70's.
Todd, thanks for starting this thread honoring Dick. I took the Eaton/Scott Roadster out for a spin yesterday with a heavy heart & right foot. Dick was a great guy and I will miss our conversations. He will ride along with Tammy & I in his former roadster for years to come. My dad brought his roadster into our family in the early 80’s and we have logged many miles in it. It’s always been driven and will continue to be. RIP my friend Mr Dick Eaton
As @Just Gary posted above, we're starting to lose the group of people that started the surge in rod runs, long distance rod travel, and fun clubs. So sad to hear.
From Obituaries: Richard Eaton Salinas - Richard Eaton (Dick), of Salinas, CA passed away on December 1, 2021, he was 84. He was born in Boston, MA to Joseph Eaton and Mary Eaton MacDonald of Wakefield, MA. In Dick's younger years his best friend was Dave Erikson and they got into lots of mischief….one of which was accidentally setting the Catholic church in Greenwood, MA on fire…never a dull moment with those two. To show how much he loved hot rods at age twelve he sold his model train set for a 1930 Ford Model A Coupe, which he worked on every day after school and weekends. Dick's love of animals was a huge part of who he was. When he was sixteen his family moved to Florida from Massachusetts and then back to Massachusetts. The family had to leave the pets in Florida, so Dick thumbed his way to Florida to bring back the pets his family had to leave behind. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the dog, a Boston Terrier named Rep, but found the cat Dusty at the Vet's. He then thumbed his was back to Massachusetts with the cat under his jacket. His family was so happy to see Dusty, she lived a good long life to the age of 18. His whole life he had many pets from dogs, cats, ferrets, and birds. In Germany he even got into his friend's lion cage and played with the lions. He loved to drive around with one of the lions in his car. He couldn't walk down the street and see an animal without stopping to pet it. After graduating from Wakefield High School, Dick worked as a truck driver, hauling auto parts. On March 10, 1958, Dick joined the Army with several of his friends, they all wanted to stay together, but were separated because Dick jumped at the chance to go Airborne. He spent his basic training in Fort Dix, NJ. with his MOS being Infantry. Back home on leave after basic training he bought his 1932 Ford Sedan on November 17, 1958, for $125.00. After basic training he was stationed in Germany. From there he went to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. While at Ft. Bragg he made many friends one of whom was a lifelong friend, George Worthy they spent many years stationed and traveling together. Over his Military Career he earned his National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, 1st and 2nd Expert Infantry Badge, and the Purple Heart. During his time in Ft. Bragg, NC. Dick pulled the 1932 Ford Sedan out of storage and started his lifelong pursuit of restoring his hot rod. Dick then went to Ft. Benning, GA and attended OCS, Officer Candidate School, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Before OCS he already had 104 military jumps. He served three tours in Vietnam as the Company Commander of a Mechanized Infantry Division. After Vietnam he was stationed at Ft. Ord, CA where he bought his 1932 Ford Roadster, building it when he was stationed in Alabama. Then on to Omaha NE, where he earned his BA degree from the University of Nebraska on August 17, 1974. Stationed back at Ft. Ord, CA, he retired as a Major on April 1, 1978. After retiring from the Military, he was able to pursue his hobby building cars full time. Through the years his hots rods were featured in numerous magazines including one in France. He hated the cold and snow, so he never went back to Massachusetts except for a visit when the weather was warm. His main interests were hot rods, skydiving and the military…. they defined him. Throughout his life the 1932 was painted three times and had numerous engines. He was always changing things for the better. His passion for cars was lifelong. Building many beautiful Street Rods at the same time making many wonderful lifelong friendships. On February 10, 1979, during a blind date at the Flying Lady Restaurant in Morgan Hill, CA, he met the love of his life, Karen Ann. This year they celebrated their 41st Wedding Anniversary. Dick and Karen and their son Bobby traveled all over the United States going as far as Niagara Falls. Most of the time with Bobby riding on the luggage in the back seat of the 1932. When Bobby was a teenager, he bought a 1931 Ford Model A Coupe and spent many hours with Dick building it from the chassis up. Dick and Karen worked for Goodguys Rod and Custom Association for almost 20 years. Going to many automobile events all over the United States. Dick was preceded in death by his Parents, Son Robert Alan Asuncion, Niece Cheryl Hawkes, Brother-in-law Robert Hawkes. He is survived by his wife Karen Ann Eaton, Sisters Mardi Hawkes of Litchfield, NH, Betsy Paquette (Robert) of Lowell, MA, Son Michael Eaton of Oregon, Daughter Kim Eaton of Oregon, Granddaughter Sarah Eaton of Oregon, Nephews Barry Paquette (June) of Lawrence, MA, Rob Paquette (Lynn), of Tewksbury, MA. Gary Hawkes (Heidi) of Candia, NH, Bethellen Ledoux (Mike) of Litchfield, NH and Linda Hawkes of Nashua, NH…he also leaves many great nephews and nieces of which one in particular, Christopher Paquette shared his obsession with hot rods…they spent many hours together in Dick's shop working on the cars. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 1:00pm at Struve & Laporte Funeral Chapel, 41 W. San Luis St. Salinas, CA. 93901. Due to covid please out of respect wear a mask and be vaccinated while attending the memorial service. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite animal rescue organization. Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com Posted online on December 09, 2021 Published in Salinas Californian
Condolences to you Hemi, the Eaton family and friends of Dick...He certainly had done the walk on so many levels. may he rest in peace... Regards, Stogy
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