Fred Apgar, RIP

[keyla]

RIP Fred. He bought a dash from me and had me deliver it to a dealer in CT. Made it easy. We spoke on the phone for a while a nice guy. Condolence to his family.

[Tom Miller]

Sad news, I had visited Fred while he was living in Costa Rica a few years back. I had purchased one of his 930 Turbos, trick high HP car with twin plugs. Will be missed by the Porsche community. Rest in Peace, Tom

[dafischer]

RIP Fred. The hews hit me like a ton of bricks, having been a friend of his since the mid 70's. My wife and I stayed with him and Carol several times at their place in Costa Rica, and we always had a great time. He was truly a generous guy, and I'll remember him every time I jump on the gas of the 72E motor that he built for me. Happier days...Fred, Carol, and my wife hanging out by the pool at their place in Playa Junquillal.

Ciao, my old friend.

[stownsen914]

I knew Fred since I was a kid when he cared for my parents' 70S, and he became a family friend over the years. He was Freddy to us. I remember visiting his shop in Califon, NJ when I was a kid, and drooling over his 914/6 and 911 racecars. We lost touch for a few years when he retired, but I was happy to see him on the forum starting a while back. We would talk periodically and catch up on family and car projects. Last time I spoke to him a few months ago he made a comment that, looking back, may have been a hint. And maybe I wasn't as shocked when I read this thread a few days ago.

Freddy had some great stories. I liked the one where he and a few of the other guys who worked at the Porsche dealership took the 934 out for a spin, and then after he went independent when he slapped some dealer plates on a customer's 917 (yes you read that right) and drove it to pick up a newspaper.

I like what someone wrote in an earlier post ... that when someone dies, a library burns to the ground. Very a propos for Freddy, and a good guy. I'll miss him.

A few pics below in memoriam. Mostly cars, but I guess that was an important part of who he was, right?

The first few are from his shop in Califon. You may recognize some cool factory racecars . The last one is of his 911 racecar that my parents bought from him years ago - it's in my care now.

[dafischer]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Very well said, like taking a full race car out on a public road, and running from the law, getting back into the shop only to be outed the next day. Fred was the most generous man with his time and decades of experience, truly a sad day for the Porsche community.

Byron, I always loved that story.

[Jeff Alton]

Fred was a true gem. Never really got him reading his posts UNTIL we spoke on the phone. We had many conversations and exchanged a few emails with him over the last year. Feels like just a few weeks ago we chatted on the phone...

A great loss to our community of Porsche enthusiasts. FAR greater loss for his family and close friends.

All the best and Prayers sent to the Apgar Family, especially at this time of year.

Cheers


Godspeed Fred, RIP.

[Alex973]

Fred you are a gentlemen RIP, you will be missed. my deepest condolences to the Family. Fred & I sat by Del. River crossing New Hope, talked about engine heat for an Hour, he wasn't tired. he took the time explaining how to fix the heating problem the easy way. thank you.

[rattlsnak]

oh no! RIP...

What is his screen name here?

[KTL]

His username is faapgar

[tdw28210]

I screwed up. Fred and I were going to meet at his place in NC to complete a parts transaction and we never finished the deal. And Fred said he'd make me an Italian dinner too. RIP Fred.

[ToySnakePMC]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

I screwed up. Fred and I were going to meet at his place in NC to complete a parts transaction and we never finished the deal. And Fred said he'd make me an Italian dinner too. RIP Fred.

Same here to a certain degree. He lived approx 90 min away and had invited me to swing by. As a relatively newbie here, I didn’t know what a treasure I missed out on until the past few weeks... My loss - 100%.

[RSstop]

Just saw this. So sad! He was a true gentleman. We exchanged a few phone calls about a year go, and I mean to keep in touch.
Fred, RIP my friend.

[bertj]

Fred was an invaluable resource to this forum and he will be missed.

My condolences to the family.

[banda]

Just learned Fred passed, many condolences to his family including his wife Carol and his children. He will be missed both for his technical knowledge and being a friend to many people in the porsche community.

I recall talking to him this past November and he sounded great so I was very surprised to learn of his passing. He called out of the blue wondering I was doing because I had not been on the forum in awhile. He was that kind of person.

I always enjoyed chatting with him on the phone and hearing about his travels, projects, trials and tribulations. He was always busy with a zillion things but he always had time to help. He had an amazing life story and I will miss chatting with him.

He built my current motor so I will be thinking of him every time of fire up my car and go for a drive.

I hope to see him again on the other side someday.

RIP Fred

[Hcarraro]

Loved the custom sheet metal replacement for the rear reflector you built for me. My condolences to the family and friends.

Whoever said and I am paraphrasing "a [Porsche] library burns to the ground every time when a knowledgeable person like Fred dies" is beautiful and poignant.

RIP Fred

[reclino]

Fred invited me to stop by a couple years ago, shared stories, and we got to discuss all the cool engines he had in progress.. He gave me some helpful advice on my engine build and sent me to a number of shops he knew of to get some work done,. ultrasonic cleaning, REM super finishing, piston coating, cadmium plating. Everywhere I went to drop off parts I just said Fred recommended you guys and everyone remembered him and had a story to share. He was a thriving part of his local community and this one online.
I called a number of times to discuss my engine build plans and he kept saying, "just get it all cleaned up, lay it all out and I will blast over and will help you get the bottom end put together. I just want you to have a good motor" "it'll only take about 7 hrs"
When discussing my plans for the engine, and decision to not open up the intake ports in the heads, his response was, "BUT YOUR GOING TO RUN OUT OF AIR AT 160 mph".
I said, Fred it's a street car where am I going to do a 160 mph? He mumbles "well there's some good roads around here", it was just like talking to my brother.
I finally began the assembly this weekend, missing Fred, and his infectious joy in sharing what he loved.
David
EngiNerding

[Porschaman]

So sorry to hear about this. My condolences to his family. In the brief dealings I had with Fred, he came across as a very likeable guy. Bought some camshafts from him that were top-notch. A couple things I'll never forget. One, he corrected me on the price I was expecting to pay, but he corrected it DOWN, not UP. Didn't have to do that, class guy. The other thing was, our last phone call, May 2021, talk turned to golf, since I noticed he lived in Pinehurst NC. Afterwards he PM'd me with an invite to bring my buddies to play his home course, Pinehurst #2, which was then ranked the #6 best course in the country. I regret I never made it there, not so much for the golf, but because I never got to meet him in person. RIP Fred.

[voitureltd]

Anyone helping Mrs. Apgar with Freds projects? Fred had bought to rebuild and reuse some of the parts from the 2002 Norwood build including the Motec 48 system in the photos. A few items were at the new harness makers place including the pro harness that Norwood made for it back then. I of course would like it to be reused with the other items as when he was here this last fall it was on his to do list, along with working on getting a WI driver's license. So, who is involved should have them, as they belong to Fred. Thanks, Tony@VoitureLTD

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by voitureltd

Anyone helping Mrs. Apgar with Freds projects? Fred had bought to rebuild and reuse some of the parts from the 2002 Norwood build including the Motec 48 system in the photos. A few items were at the new harness makers place including the pro harness that Norwood made for it back then. I of course would like it to be reused with the other items as when he was here this last fall it was on his to do list, along with working on getting a WI driver's license. So, who is involved should have them, as they belong to Fred. Thanks, Tony@VoitureLTD

I have not heard anything, but I would like the reflector replacement panel I paid for, if was the last one Fred had and he wasn't going to have anymore made. Being Fred, I wasn't worried about it when I paid him, as other's know, Fred was well above board.

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by voitureltd

Anyone helping Mrs. Apgar with Freds projects? Fred had bought to rebuild and reuse some of the parts from the 2002 Norwood build including the Motec 48 system in the photos. A few items were at the new harness makers place including the pro harness that Norwood made for it back then. I of course would like it to be reused with the other items as when he was here this last fall it was on his to do list, along with working on getting a WI driver's license. So, who is involved should have them, as they belong to Fred. Thanks, Tony@VoitureLTD

Fred’s son has commented on at least one of these threads and is working to get out the special pistons that Fred had developed. I have his house number and his wife would often pick up (forgive me for not remembering her name). If you want to get in touch with her, pm me for the number. Mark