Hi all,
While I don't want to be guilty of a Mark Twain cliche, "The rumors of my demise are premature..", (in case I'm wrong..) I just learned today and I'm fairly certain (95%+) that the individual I bought my '66 GT Fastback K-code passed away last March. I should add that his Mustang was the first and only Mustang I ever purchased so it really has a special appeal to me.
Richard John Pearson was a real class act that represented, at it's finest "American hospitality".
Circa early 2002, I had posted on this forum and on Vintage-Mustang that I was in the market for a K-code. Someone gave me heads up that Richards' car was for sale. Despite the fact that I wasn't the first person to contact him, he gave me a real chance to purchase his car.
When I say real chance, understand, that I wasn't the kind of person to blindly purchase a car sight unseen. Even at that time though, the K-code market was quickly heating up and he had several persons contact him. On top of that, I was having it financed which added to the complexity of the transaction.
Richard put up with my numerous questions, my request to have the car inspected at a local Mustang shop (on my dime of course.) and a time delay that lasted several months due to bad weather and me wanting the see the car in person ( I live in California and he lived in Minnesota.)
He graciously complied with every request I made. When I flew out to Minnesota he and his wife were kind enough to allow me to stay at their residence in Andover,MN, overnight. We went out to dinner that night and they fed me breakfast the next morning.
At dinner that night, over drinks, he turns to me and says, "You know why I'm selling this car to you? Because you sounded so excited when you originally contact me over the phone."
I was so appreciative of that opportunity and it makes me cringe just a little more that I had to sell the car five years ago (although I may get a chance to buy it back now..).
Some people may think he was foolish, impulsive, or a soft-touch. I know him to be a real human being and I am so saddened by the loss of this individual. Thoughts of him have been with me all day, despite the fact that I only met him once and talked to him maybe a dozen times.
If I can be remembered for a similar act of gracious kindness, I think I would have lived a life well lived.
If anyone knows of the whereabouts of Renate Pearson, his wife, I would love to express my condolences to her if she is receptive. PM me with any contact information you may have.
If indeed, I have pulled a Mark Twain, then let this little diatribe be my expression (if a little delayed..)of appreciation to a fine human being.
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Edited by - landmissle on 02/13/2011 22:55:59