Howard passed away...

[fingpilot]

I just got back in the country and caught up with this.

You meet some special people here. When something like this happens, it's like a member of the family, after all, it is. The PP family.

Sad to see one turn out this way. Even more of a shock when you get here late, and read thru the incident, the hopeful recovery, and then the result.

Good Bye Howard.... you got me to laugh, you got me to think, you got me to cry. The SoCal highways we both frequent will be a little less well travelled now. As is well travelled by your 914.

[Joe Bob]

There will be a memorial in his honor in Westlake on Saturday..... Check www.ClubNarp.com or www.914club.com for details.

He was a good guy and will be sorely missed by the community and his family.

[craigster59]

I had the good fortune of meeting and talking with Howard at the German Autofest one year. Even though the conversation lasted only 10-15 minutes, his wit and "stand up guy" personality stood out. We talked 914's and the infamous "Enzo hose".

Godspeed Howard and my condolences to family and friends. It's untimely tragic events like this that bring true meaning to "carpe diem".

[Joe Bob]

BTW.....I am in possesion of the "hose"....

[azasadny]

What's the "hose story"?

[craigster59]

After "Dietrich" crashed the Ferrarri Enzo in Malibu, Howard went down to the crash site and recovered a hose that he put on Ebay and also displayed at the local Albertsons grocery store. He also displayed it at the Autofest in Ventura in a "custom" Velveeta cheese box. Here's a link to the thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=267681&highlight=enzo+crash&page=3

[Joe Bob]

The hose is part of "Dietrich's" Enzo that crashed on PCH......he lived a bit up the street from the accident and was out the door quickly to see the carnage....everything had pretty much been cleaned up but he recovered the piece in the pic.

He put it up on eBay with the plans to use any proceeds as a charitable donation. Just like he did when he organized a 914 get together that made some bucks.

The Fuchwads at Ferrari sent an infringment of copyright letter to eBay and they pulled the auction. The comments on the auction were hilarious but obviously sophomoric...I assume the three pages of questions and answers were really what got Ferrari's panties all bunched up.

I somehow got the hose packed into one my boxes from the last GAF and never got around to giving it back......

[bivenator]

I'm saddened by the news. RIP Howard, a class act.

[trojanman]

Here is the Info on Howard's Farewell Party

If you plan on attending, please send me a pm or vote in the poll so that the family can get an approximate head count. Thanks

[Dottore]

I am really sorry to hear this sad news. RIP Howard!

[The Gaijin]

Rest in peace.

[84porsche]

I was going through my old Porsche pictures and found a few of Howard that I thought I would share.

August 2004 Mulholland Run


June 2007 Big Bear Run

[maxnine11]

an enthusiast with enthusiasm; thanks for the laughs Howard....

[Joe Bob]

My fav pic of Howie......my sentiments exactly....subtle and to the point.

[rfloz]

I bought my first Porsche a few months ago and as part of my education, I have been reading old threads on PelicaParts.com.

This evening amidst all the travail about chips and PPIs, I came across a reference to Howard Dranow. Wow. I first met Howard in 1964 when we were in basic training together at Ft. Ord. I hadn’t seen him since shortly after we got out of the Army so naturally I searched his name and found this thread. What an absolute bummer.

We shared a fondness for cars and a lack of fondness for the military life and we were both from Southern California, so we became friends. One Saturday morning while standing for inspection, I asked the guy next to me – “Where the hell is Draino”? (being the Army, everybody called him Draino).”

“Services” was the reply. “Services, what services?”

“Jewish services.”

Howard wandered back to the barracks just in time for lunch and I asked him how he pulled this off. “Well, I’m Jewish and we do services on Saturday.”

“Lucky you” I muttered.

“Why don’t you come next week?” “Um, I’m not Jewish.”

“So what?” And from then on Howard and I and a guy whose name I forget, but I do remember he was Chinese-American, went to Jewish services Saturday and sat around talking philosophy with the Rabbi and I never stood another inspection through basic and AIT.

After basic, we got a short leave before advanced infantry training and Howard returned with his 356 coupe and I drove back with my hot rod 1958 Corvette (very much against regulations). Every time we got a weekend pass, we would chase each other down Highway 1 back to L.A.

One day Howard said “There’s a Can-Am race at Laguna Seca tomorrow?” "What is Can-Am and where is Laguna Seca?” I asked.

Howard explained Can-Am and told me Laguna Seca was just over one of the hills we had been training on. So, despite having duty, we caught a ride in a Jeep to near the circuit and climbed the hill and I saw my first Can-Am Race.

Another time Howard talked me into going into San Francisco to hear some jazz. Who should we bump into but our 1st Sgt. while listening to Thelonious Monk ( we were not supposed to be off-base). We almost soiled our pants. But come Monday, Sgt. Turk didn’t say a word. I could only guess he approved of our taste in music.

Thanks Howard, sorry we lost touch.

My sincere, if belated, condolences to Howard’s family.

[craigster59]

Small World. RIP Howard.

[speeder]

Bob,

Thanks a lot for sharing that with us. Howard was one of the really nice people around here, (and there are many), we really miss him. Take care and don't be a stranger!

[BRPORSCHE]

I still miss him. A lot.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by mikez

My fav pic of Howie......my sentiments exactly....subtle and to the point.

Miss him as well and the above is exactly how I want to "head West" in the end...

[Laxgreg]

Yesterday being Father's Day, I spent a bit of time searching the web for info on my Dad and found this string. Just being nostalgic...

While it has been nearly 8 years since he abruptly departed, not a day goes by when I don't think of him. A true gem of a man. An even better father.

This forum brought both laughter and tears. The end result was an even greater appreciation for Dad being reminded the impressions he left on others.

The services at Fort Ord to keep from following a routine? Priceless but so him!! Jewish when convenient. Hell, Hindu or Baptist if it made sense would have worked as well.

Mom and I were talking about "the hose" and wondered where it landed. While it is great to see its story is known and appreciated, the opportunity to add it to my collection of memories would be fantastic.

Not sure this post will even be seen those who remembered him so fondly in this string but know this group of folks, NARP and otherwise, really meant the world to him.

Regardless of the return of the hose, on behalf of Howard, thank you so much for bringing such a smile to his continued existence. And enabling him to thrive just being the person he really enjoyed being...

Greg Dranow