Sad News: Larry Rathgeb 1930-2020

Aero426 · March 22, 2020, 10:01:22 PM

I am sad to report the passing of Chrysler stock car legend and Mopar Hall of Fame inductee Larry Rathgeb this afternoon. After celebrating his 90th birthday in February, Larry contracted the Coronavirus a week ago and was hospitalized on Wednesday.

Larry was involved with the race program from the early 1960's until Chrysler's withdrawal from racing in 1978. He was the crew chief on the #88 Daytona and was responsible for chassis structure and suspension for Mopar circle track cars. He became Chrysler's man at the race track serving as a liason between teams and the company. In 1972, he became responsible for all Mopar stock car programs and was the creator of the Chrysler Kit Car. After Chrysler's withdrawal from racing, Larry remained with Chrysler until his retirement in 1987.

Larry continued his career working with Petty Enterprises into the early 1990's. He later became a consultant for Chrysler on the Gen 1 Dodge Viper program working on the suspension.

Larry was an avid sportsman and an expert clay target shooter. More than a guy with a slide rule, Larry was a trained mechanic from a young age and an Army veteran, serving as a shop foreman on General Douglas Macarthur's motor pool in Tokyo just after WW2. Larry loved his country and a portrait of Gen. MacArthur still hangs in his office at the family home.

Larry was a friend to the winged car community making multiple appearances at events beginning in 1976 through last October in Alabama. Larry was a personal friend and I am deeply saddened by his death and the circumstances surrounding it.

Larry's wife has also contracted the virus and she remains hospitalized. Please keep her in your prayers.

birdsandbees · March 22, 2020, 10:14:59 PM

So sorry to hear this Doug and many think this virus is a "not me" issue. God speed to Larry and hopefully his wife can beat it.

Aero426 · March 22, 2020, 10:22:43 PM

Larry and the famous #88. He is at the window talking to Baker.

Ghoste · March 23, 2020, 04:11:28 AM

A loss to our automotive heritage without question.

hemi68charger · March 23, 2020, 06:15:39 AM

Thanks for the update Doug... It was always enjoyable to listen to him speak at past events... He was instrumental in getting a Dodge with wings, now he has a set of his own..........

Troy

odcics2 · March 23, 2020, 08:28:44 AM

Some of the guys responsible for Chrysler's wing car program.
Photo taken in 2001 when the wing clubs had a meet coinciding with the CEMA club at the WPC Museum.

Larry was a great guy. I was lucky to have met him at work in 1985, when he was the Program Manager for
the Dakota truck. He'll be missed.

Birdflu · March 23, 2020, 08:40:13 AM

Quote from: birdsandbees on March 22, 2020, 10:14:59 PM
So sorry to hear this Doug and many think this virus is a "not me" issue. God speed to Larry and hopefully his wife can beat it.

My sentiments EXACTLY!

chargervert · March 23, 2020, 09:48:21 AM

RIP Larry! Godsppeed at 200 mph!

moparchris · March 23, 2020, 11:18:19 AM

So sorry to hear this. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rahtgeb at Talladega many years ago. He was a super nice gentleman. I pray for his wife and condolences go out to his friends and family.

Mopar John · March 23, 2020, 03:19:09 PM

Thanks Doug for posting the news about Larry. RIP!
This is the first person to die from the virus that I had a connection to.
MJ

70Sbird · March 23, 2020, 04:13:44 PM

Quote from: Mopar John on March 23, 2020, 03:19:09 PM
Thanks Doug for posting the news about Larry. RIP!
This is the first person to die from the virus that I had a connection to.
MJ

Me as well, I had a chance to talk to him for a while back at one of the reunions in Talladega either in 2004 or 2009, he was a real asset to our hobby and will be missed!

Stevetona · March 23, 2020, 11:06:01 PM

Sad to hear....This virus has turned my life upside down the past month and my career is now in jeopardy but this is the first time I can a name I recognize has succumbed to it.

Mopar Nut · March 24, 2020, 02:30:17 AM

RIP Larry!

Dave Kanofsky · March 24, 2020, 11:31:34 AM

Thanks for letting us know, such a loss for the Aero community.

He was such a great and positive guy.

Prayers for his family.

Mike DC · March 24, 2020, 03:08:53 PM

odcics2 · March 25, 2020, 10:20:59 AM

I bought this original hand painted HM sign from Larry in the early 2000s.
They both signed it on the back.

When Ford left Nascar at the end of 1970, Larry grabbed the sign, left behind from Charlie's
office at Daytona Speedway, when they were testing Petty's 1971 Road Runner in November, 70.

Larry and Charlie had the utmost respect for each other...
Great friends off the track, fierce competitors on the track!

Aero426 · March 25, 2020, 12:14:19 PM

Quote from: odcics2 on March 25, 2020, 10:20:59 AM
I bought this original hand painted HM sign from Larry in the early 2000s.
They both signed it on the back.

When Ford left Nascar at the end of 1970, Larry grabbed the sign, left behind from Charlie's
office at Daytona Speedway, when they were testing Petty's 1971 Road Runner in November, 70.

Larry and Charlie had the utmost respect for each other...
Great friends off the track, fierce competitors on the track!

Spoke to Charlie by email earlier today. He's doing good at 86. Did you know that he and Larry once shared a hotel room together?

ae8i · March 25, 2020, 12:42:43 PM

QuoteDid you know that he and Larry once shared a hotel room together?

Was that part of the deal when Petty joined Ford in 1969?

I first met Larry in 1988. He was always so gracious to me and others when sharing his time and vast knowledge with us. His legacy as both a fine person and a racing legend is rock solid.

RIP Larry, yours was a life well lived.

Aero426 · March 25, 2020, 12:47:41 PM

Quote from: ae8i on March 25, 2020, 12:42:43 PM
QuoteDid you know that he and Larry once shared a hotel room together?

Was that part of the deal when Petty joined Ford in 1969?

I first met Larry in 1988. He was always so gracious to me and others with his vast knowledge and his time. His legacy as both a fine person and a racing legend are rock solid.

RIP Larry, yours was a life well lived.

Actually, it was at one of the reunions, maybe 2004, where we had them stay at the same place in Birmingham to fly out the next day.

The Detroit meet in 2001 with Larry and Charlie speaking to us at the same table is to me, the high water mark. That and George Wallace talking until 2 in the morning.

odcics2 · March 26, 2020, 07:20:53 AM

Quote from: Aero426 on March 25, 2020, 12:14:19 PM
Quote from: odcics2 on March 25, 2020, 10:20:59 AM
I bought this original hand painted HM sign from Larry in the early 2000s.
They both signed it on the back.

When Ford left Nascar at the end of 1970, Larry grabbed the sign, left behind from Charlie's
office at Daytona Speedway, when they were testing Petty's 1971 Road Runner in November, 70.

Larry and Charlie had the utmost respect for each other...
Great friends off the track, fierce competitors on the track!

Spoke to Charlie by email earlier today. He's doing good at 86. Did you know that he and Larry once shared a hotel room together?

Good news!

Mopar John · May 28, 2020, 08:50:38 AM

As our country approached the grim mile stone of 100,000 deaths from the Corona virus
I thought there might be more reflection on our loss.
Last night as we watched a short segment about this on ABC world news they had
a picture back ground with some of the people that have lost their lives.
During this they featured short stories on just a few and Larry's was one of them.
They even included a very short clip of the 88 Daytona's record run with Larry and Buddy.
RIP Larry and Buddy!
MJ

ae8i · May 28, 2020, 09:28:21 PM

QuoteDuring this they featured short stories on just a few and Larry's was one of them.

The portion about Larry begins at 2:50 into the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72495fQRvo

odcics2 · May 29, 2020, 04:10:43 PM

Thanks for posting this Ken.