Folks Of Interest Thanks From the Ganahl Family

Godspeed. Please accept my condolences to you and your family. Thank you for your feed back / clarity during this most difficult time.

 

Our sincerest condolences, Pat is missed already.
Even though we had only met a couple times at Antique Nationals and other events he portrayed a gentleman, always a smile and firm handshake for everyone.
Passing on is hard on everyone, Pat passed doing what he loved, we should all be so lucky.
Kindest Regards, John

 

as I write thru bleary eyes Bill, Thank you, your family response, we all appreciate reading it.

Talked to Pat 3 times, twice when he liked my '40 Ford, and once when he liked my '32 Orange Hi-boy.

Whata Great guy, I was Star-Struck, until he begin talking like we had known each a long time.
I probably read everything he ever wrote.
He had never met this guy from Washington State in his life.

Sincerely thanks for sharing him with all of us,
Bob Huffman

 

My concolences to the Ganahl family.
I'm one of those a bit older guys who has been reading what pat wrote since he started at Street Rodder in 1973. I'd say that across the automotive spectrum the reverence for Pat is that he wrote across to us rather than down to us. That along with his well researched knowledge is what made him special to us.
He was one of us and we will miss him but his work will live on for ever.

 

All the best to Anna, and Bill at this time. What a legacy. God speed to Pat.

 

I had a 20 year career as a drag racer with blown alky dragsters. I fully understand Mr. Ganahl's drive to run the car. I'm also aware that he had faith and wasn't concerned about his safety. Many of us as assemblers have complete faith in our work. To Bill, my father passed away when I was 16. I missed out on what you have had. To all of you, the memories of a good life will outlast the pain of loss. My sympathies to you all.

 

I had hoped beyond hope that this was just a bad rumor, and the internet being what it is these days I waited for some definitive answer …I guess this is it.

Bill, I am so so sorry. I will hold the memory of you, Pat, and your mom, chatting and laughing with Suzi at the awards circle in Santa Maria this year close to my heart. My deepest sympathies and condolences to you, Anna, and the entire Ganahl family.
Take care, Johnny
And it goes without saying that Suzi is devastated…

 

As an old hot rodder, I've been seeing Pat's words and photos for many years (since he got started in the 60's) and always appreciated his love of rodding. He was so enthusiastic and that came through clearly in his work. Most recently I've really enjoyed his research and presentation of historical rodding & racing photos from his collection. I only saw Pat in person one time: in St. Paul where he was busy shooting cars (two SLR's around his neck) so I didn't get a chance to talk to him. He will be greatly missed. God bless you Anna, Bill, and Sabina and just know that we'll all cherish the memories of his extensive contributions to our great hobby.

 

I just picked up my phone to call Gary Emory, one of my best friends for so many years it's scary. I never remember his number, so I always go to "contacts" and punch "Gary"....... Seems so simple. Not really. Right above Gary is Ganahl...... Damn, all those thoughts and memories, all over again. Pat called me many years ago, after his Dad had passed, and mentioned that he had a issue that needed to be handled, and wondered if I could help. Done...... I don't even know what the number is, all I know is that when I tap "Ganahl", Pat answers, 'till now...... My last call was earlier this year, when I called him about a Wayne Chevy that a friend has owned since the early '50's..... What a wealth of information!! Pat will be dearly missed by all gearheads, young and old.
I'm a firm believer in perpetuating memories, and the only way to do that is to talk about them. I probably drive my friends nuts, always talking about Ak Miller, Ray Brock, Joe Wilhelm, Jack Lufkin, Duncan Emmons, and so many more.... Now Pat is meeting up with all these guys, to tell their own stories !!!

 

I heard Friday night and was stunned. My deepest condolences to the Ganahl's.

I subscribe to Pat's (e-mail newsletter) "Pat Ganahl's Rod & Custom". I really enjoy every article, and last read the one he sent the Monday before last, entitled 'Dandy Drive Ins'. The last paragraph read... "OK, this has been a long one. But I wanted you to have plenty to savor, because we’re goin’ racin’ and I’ve decided it’s time to take a vacation from this busy retirement of mine. So it’s going to be a couple extra weeks until I get the time and energy to do the next scintillating issue of this column. Go back and read some old ones if this doesn’t hold you. But don’t worry, I’m not evaporating. I’ve got plenty of topics impatiently waiting in line to appear here. That’s why I need to take a break. But I’ll be back."

Pat was so gracious to continue to share with us all, his articles and photos even when not getting paid for it.

My brother and I, have seen and talked with Pat many times at several of the So. Cal car shows we've attended, for at least a few decades. I remember once when I was telling Pat how much I appreciated his writing, I informed him that as a kid I'd flip through my Dad's car magazines, but it was his editorials that caught my attention, and that I've been a fan for almost fifty years. He seemed pleased that he made such an impression on a ten-year-old kid.

Fortunately, all the great memories of Pat, and his incredible body of work will live on. -Donnie

 

So I'm an absolute nobody. I didn't know Pat but through his prose. My best friend, my dog, Harley died about a month ago. My favorite writer died less than a week ago. I got a new dog now, Henry, who can't replace Harley, but he can be Henry, and he's shown alotta tricks for a street dog rescued from Bakersfield already. For the one's that loved him dearly there is no replacement for Pat. But the world goes on and somebody will come along and lite up the day once again. Like when I hit the kickstarter on my 54 chevy p/u and she runs, or the old big block olds 400 turning over in the 442, or just Henry chewin on a lamb chop bone under a blue nw evening.

 

God bless the Ganahl family and I will never forget my friend Pat.

 

Anna , Bill and Sabina

May your grief be overcome by knowing that Pat and his wonderful way of moving all of us with his character , style , words and his ability to give of life as we all need will always be with us .
May God strengthen you with Pats best memories and give you happiness together

 

Not enough can be said to complement what Pat meant. When I used to magazines and came across an article with his name attached - I knew it was worth the time to read. Here's to one of the absolute legends of the hobby; best wishes to the entire family.

 

God bless Pats family and keep them safe.RIP Sir.
Leo

 

I was privileged to meet Pat Ganahl in England in 2014 . I have been reading his excellent material since 1975 from which I have derived a great deal of knowledge and pleasure. He was one of the few people I wanted to meet and he was great. He signed my copy of one of his books which is among my prized possessions. My sincere good wishes to all Mr Ganahl’s family at this time.

 

Anna, Bill and Sabina....
Prayers, condolences and hugs. Just know the world over feels your loss, not as intimate, but pretty close. One of my favorite editorials he did was in an issue of RnC, about '89; " Forget Harp Seals, Save an Old Car"! I wish I could've found a beater then to join the party, but life had other plans. I tried reading " Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Repair", maybe I will find it again in his honor and finish it! It's a legacy to his outgoing and kind nature that his picture and " nerfs" about him appeared outside of McMullen publications when he was editor! The " Caddy Hack", " Swimsuit Issue", him and Anna traveling the world to share hot rodding beyond the USA, the infamous drag race with PHR"s deuce pickup and Tom M's wild Dodge! I'd run out of room the benchmarks your dad/ husband created! I like to think Baskerville greeting him with his infamous chuckle, as Gray helped me enunciate his name ... Ganahl as Haul! God Bless ....

 

Talked to Pat a few times on the phone and at the '93 Americruise at Springfield, Mo. He loved to laugh!
So sorry for your loss, Bill and Anna.

 

I grew up reading Pats work. Such a huge influence on myself and so many others. I just pulled out some R&C to get my fix.

 

Deeply Sorry for y'alls loss. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. All the best to you and your family,

 

We never met - I wish I had. Our condolences to you, your Mom, and the entire family.

 

It does nothing to ease your loss, but he left doing what he loved. I wish that for everyone.

 

RIP

Condolences to all of Pat’s family and friends.

 

We are forever honored and grateful that you've taken the time and effort to share your thoughts and feelings, and that you've allowed us to do the same.

 

May God Bless and bring you peace in this time is my prayer.

 

My condolences to you, your wife, and especially your mom. Pat had a HUGE impact on so many of us and his passing will be felt more than any other's. Deep down I had a secret wish to someday, somehow to meet your dad to just say thanks. I know whenever I'm at a event, reading an article, watching YouTube related to Hot Rodding I'll be thinking of your dad and comparing it to your dad's style of journalism...

 

I'm sure there are a hundred stories like this, but I bought Pat's "Ford Performance" from our local bookstore when I was 12 or 13, right around 1990 (when local bookstores were more of a thing). I read that book cover to cover many, many times. Some of it was still Greek to me, but that book taught me more about engines than anything else in my formative years. Sometimes you don't realize things like that until much later, and I just thought about it when I heard this sad news. Add me to the endless list of people who learned from Pat.

 

Anna, Bill and Sabina,
My most heartfelt condolences to you. Gods speed Pat.

 

I like others here was shocked to hear about Pat's accident. I never met him but some of the first articles about hot rodding I ever read back in the 70s were his and this introduced me into a new world which did not exist where I grew up (Israel). Here on the HAMB his contributions were always informative and interesting. Condolences to his family, he will be sorely missed by all of us.

 

Junior and Sharon Conway asked to pass this note on.
"On behalf of the House of Color family, we would like to offer our most sincere condolences to the friends and family of Pat. He was a good friend to us and considered part of the HOC family. It seemed like yesterday when we last talked. We will miss him dearly.
He was a great ambassador to the car world as well as a great guardian of history and will be missed by all."