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Larry Shephard, 1936-2011


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#1 Mark Wampler

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 10:31 AM

Slot racing has lost one of the premier innovators in design and construction. Larry Shephard passed away on September 30, 2011, in Arroyo Grande, CA, of natural causes. He was 74.

Larry was THE central figure authority in slot racing on the Central California Coast. A long-time resident of Arroyo Grande, California, Larry's work can be found world-wide. His proxy cars are located in many places in Europe. Larry was also well-known for his work in rewinding Pittman five-pole armatures. For locals, Larry is remembered for his outstanding performing slot cars back in those years. No matter who drove Larry's cars back in the '60s, they dominated every race. His enduro cars would outlast every one else back in the day. Larry's articles on scratchbuilding, bodies, and motors can be found all over the internet.

Larry was a gunsmith who worked out of his garage for many years. Linda, his wife, is a retired schoolteacher. They had no children. I asked Larry one time if he had children. He told me he was only kid in the family. One is enough!


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#2 Ron Hershman

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 10:31 AM

RIP, Larry.

#3 TSR

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 10:36 AM

This is quite sad. Larry and Linda had recently completed their dream home and were looking ahead for years of peaceful retirement.

Larry was a true enthusiast, one who made our hobby great.

Rest in peace.

Philippe de Lespinay


#4 Cheater

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 10:41 AM

Man, I hate to hear this.

Larry was one of the hobby's consummate craftsmen and designers. Just a nice, nice guy.

Rest in peace, Larry.

Gregory Wells

Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap


#5 YetiSRP

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:10 AM

I never met the man and now I never will.

I wish I knew what to say...
Jim Bandes

#6 Ron Hershman

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:11 AM

A true loss.

#7 idare2bdul

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:15 AM

I met Larry through the slot car convention at Buena Park. His workmanship was amazing. What came through the most was his love of slot cars. I'll miss seeing him.
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#8 One_Track_Mind

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:19 AM

Sorry to hear the loss of yet another one our friends.

Larry and I had done some trading of slot car related items over the years. A true gentleman of our hobby. I will miss those conversations we had, but will never forget how he always made you feel.

Rest in Peace, Larry

My sincere condolences to Linda.

Slots-4-Ever
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#9 n.elmholt

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:32 AM

Sad news. :-(

I never knew Larry personally, but when interested in vintage (and current) slot cars, his name popped up occasionally and his cars were always impressive and inspiring.

Niels, DK

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#10 Larry Mattingly

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:33 AM

I have always admired Larry's work thoughout the years.

His cars always had 'that' look.

May he rest in peace...

The sad news just won't seem to stop.

LM

#11 Rick

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:47 AM

RIP, my friend, you'll be missed by us all.

Seems to be a day of bad news today...

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#12 Bryan Warmack

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:55 AM

I had the pleasure of meeting Larry on several occasions and recently was involved in the sending of many of his wonderful cars to SoCal as we began to build and race 1/32.

The diversity of the cars was amazing. Some old, some new, some fast, but all unique and VERY interesting. Ranging from trick Eurosport anglewinders to really-complicated inlines with all sorts of odd movement. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to check out just a small sample of his great cars.

I recently sent him some bits and pieces as he said he wanted to tinker some stuff together he had some ideas on and said he would send some pics. Too bad I won't get to see them.

Rest in peace, Larry, as you will be missed.

#13 Old pink can guy

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 12:02 PM

I remember the man's name. RIP.

P, could you please give us a history lesson?

Ken Botts

#14 HarV Wallbanger III

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 12:39 PM

RIP. Larry. You will be remembered...

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#15 Bill from NH

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 01:48 PM

Sorry to hear this. Larry was a fixture both here and on OWH. He built some real nice, and sometimes unique, 1/32 scale cars.

It's unfortunate that his photos in the remaining threads that still exist were deleted by him. His how-to articles were quite good. A couple times, while getting ready to move, he sent me some of his surplus materials he thought I could use.

He was a great guy who will be missed by many. :)
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#16 The Bugman

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 02:32 PM

Very sad news.. I got to meet and visit with him a couple times...

He was a very cool guy... a true pioneer in slo tcars...

I'll miss chatting with him here on the blog. :friends:

RIP, my friend.
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#17 Cheater

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 03:07 PM

Like often happens, the pics from the the first couple of 1/32 conventions have been deleted from Photobucket... sigh. (Which is why I prefer posters upload pics, rather than link to them elsewhere.)

In any event, I can't locate any pictures of Larry on the blog. Anyone have some they can post?

Gregory Wells

Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap


#18 stumbley

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 03:40 PM

Oh, this is very sad news. Larry was a true gentleman and always willing to share his expertise with others. He will be sorely missed. RIP Larry.
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#19 don.siegel

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 03:45 PM

I can only add my condolences to his wife and family, and all his slot car friends. He was an outstanding presence on the blogs and just seemed to be a very nice guy and great craftsman.

What a shock.

Don

#20 Cheater

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 03:55 PM

You oughta edit out the "seemed to be", Don. :)

Larry was a very, very nice guy and one of the most imaginative builders and craftsmen I have ever encountered in the hobby.

Gregory Wells

Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap


#21 MSwiss

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 06:52 PM

It's sad to hear.

Larry really was a terrific builder with a good imagination.

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#22 Lenny Broke

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 09:22 PM

I'm very sorry to read this news. I've spent many a pleasant hour perusing his work on the net.

My condolences to his family.

Regards,
Alan O'Dea

#23 kalbfellp

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Posted 04 October 2011 - 11:16 PM

Larry was a great builder and I feel I have been lucky to have raced some of his cars in our proxy races down here.

Very sad! Great loss to the slot racing community.
Phil Kalbfell
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#24 Tex

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 05:45 AM

R.I.P., Larry; we'll all see you again soon enough. Hold a spot at the driver's panel for us!
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#25 One27ray

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 07:45 AM

I was sad to hear that Larry passed away.

I always followed the things he did on the forums. He was someone you could look up to and was always helpful with emails and comments. Too bad I never got to meet him!!

Ray
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