Dave Clary of Hobart, IN, age 74 passed away Feb 18, 2019.
Dave was survived by His wife, two children, and six grandchildren. He was also a Vietnam veteran.
Dave and buddy Marty Varney manufactured the popular Certus motors and products back in the day.
In the early '70s Dave switched to R/C and could be found at both races and flying fields.
In 1970 or so Dave drove a '60 Corvette convertible, black metalflake with American Flag in the coves like the Harley tank from the movie 'Easy Rider,' topped off with American 200S mags. How can you do better than that?
Last I saw Dave was when he brought some arms to Bill Metro's shop for him to balance. I worked a long time for Bill in his dental lab and he hated doing R/C arms so I know he held Dave in high regard. Wish I could have got to know him better.
RIP, Dave.
I recently visited with Larry Gradek at G&G Hobbies in Griffith and learned of his dad Rocky, well in his 90s, having passed also.
G&G opened back in 1967 or so as a raceway with an American orange, one of eight American Purple Miles, and an Aurora tub HO track.
Rick Davis won the last big race on the Purple in spring of 1970. If memory serves me right Jan Limpach gave away a TV.
The late Ron Esterline of Indianapolis won the HOPRA race with a hardshell body also that year. History!
Marty Varney continued to work for the Gradeks well past the raceway years, selling lots of Associated R/C cars . Larry says he has not heard from him in 20-30 years.
G&G is now around the corner in a family-owned building and recently celebrated 50 years.
RIP, Rocky. Larry is doing you proud .
