[Tom Vaught]

I first met Ron at one of Jim Butler's early Memorial Day Racing week-end events in Tennessee. He and Bill T were actually staying at the same place south of Norwalk so we could also have breakfast together and talk about Ron and Bill's cars before going to the track. They actually brought their cars to Jim's event several years, as did Pete McCarthy, Jim Wangers/Big Dave Anderson, and a lot of other west coast racers in that time period.

Ron had been an Artillery Officer in Vietnam during the War so we talked about that deal sometimes too.

Ron was a pure Pontiac Guy and there was no one as loyal to the brand. But his greatest love was racing his 65 GTO.

He will be missed. RIP Ron H.

Tom Vaught

[Mattman]

God Bless his family.

[uforacing]

RIP Ron.

[Wareagle]

Sorry to hear that - when he posted here always tried to keep it cool - Godspeed .

[grandville455]

RIP Ron!!

[herdswoman]

Very sad to hear this. OMT, sorry for the loss of your lifelong friend. I recall the cookout before Norwalk where you, Ron, and Melanie were in our kitchen. Melanie was kind and gracious, Brian Baker had made the best crab cakes ever, Tom was sick, it was hot as blazes and I had accidentally set the neighbor's grill on fire. That was the last of the pre-Norwalk BBQ's, but we had a good time while it lasted.

[Old Man Taylor]

How I first met Ron

I'm guessing it was in the early 90's. I stopped at a friend's auto garage (D-Mac Automotive) on the way home from work. Ron was there waiting for Melanie to pick him up. While he was waiting, Mac had told him about my 64 GTO. I had not taken it to work that day, but I told Ron that if he had enough time, I would go home and get it. So we went to my house to pick it up. In this era the GTO was a high 10 second car at almost 130 mph. I had street raced it a lot, so I knew the characteristics of the car extremely well. Remember that this was before Ron lost so much weight. We went out onto a street where I could get on it. I told him that I would try a rolling start in first gear, and if it didn't hook up I would abort immediately and try a second gear start the next time. The added weight in the car made it hook up great! I let off after shifting into third gear, so he got a pretty good idea of what the car could do. He seemed quite impressed, but not for the reason that I had expected. He said he had been in fast cars before, but none that shifted like that. He said he thought he was about to recover from being smashed back into the seat when it immediately happened again. He wrote a little bit about that ride in one of the newsletters he contributed to. From that day on we kept in close contact about our Pontiac status. That was about the same time that I had purchased my racecar project, so he was quite familiar with each step of the process. He knew I was building a 400, and it turned out that the Pontiac Drag Days competition number 400 was available, so he and Dave Anderson held it back and surprised me with it when the car was done. Ron was one of the "bigger than life" people that you run into every now and then. His profession was sales, and he was a born salesman. I have lots of stories about him, but I will save them for now. His military service was brought up in this thread. He left the Army as a Captain. He was an artillery forward observer. As I got to know him better I would hear various stories about his two tours in Viet Nam. I asked him why he spent two tours when he had such bad experiences with his first tour. He said that his officers certificate said that he served at the discretion of the president, and it was the president's discretion that he serve another tour. Ron didn't really talk about his military experience that much, but over the years I did pick up a lot. One time he told me how he got the Distinguished Flying Cross. That really impressed me that a ground guy could get that. Later I asked him what award he was the most proud of (of the many that he had), thinking that the DFC would be right up there. It was not even close. He said it was the Combat Infantry Badge. Artillery guys just did not get that one.

Anyway, many of us lost a special friend.

[Steve C.]

Real bad news, Ron was a good friend. Like many I met Ron at Pontiac Heaven races years ago and always enjoyed talking to him.
My prayers and thoughts to the family.



.

[Paul Spotts]

Great guy, sorry to hear the news. Thanks for sharing the stories.

[Brian Baker]

Originally Posted by herdswoman

Very sad to hear this. OMT, sorry for the loss of your lifelong friend. I recall the cookout before Norwalk where you, Ron, and Melanie were in our kitchen. Melanie was kind and gracious, Brian Baker had made the best crab cakes ever, Tom was sick, it was hot as blazes and I had accidentally set the neighbor's grill on fire. That was the last of the pre-Norwalk BBQ's, but we had a good time while it lasted.

I don't remember you setting a fire (LOL), but I do remember that week/weekend, and when I think of Ron, that is one of my favorite memories of him...me standing in your kitchen frying crab cakes as he kept nudging over my shoulder asking me "are they done yet?!" like the proverbial kid in the back seat of the car travelling to a family vacation going "are we there yet?!".

That was a fantastic Norwalk adventure, and Ron's passing has humbly reminded me that we're not invincible, and in spite of our many differences, we all share one commonality, our love of all things Pontiac. It has also reminded me of how special this board has been, from its humble beginnings when I began lurking in the mid-90's to where it is today, for without it, a fat boy from Maryland named Mongo (hat tip to Jerry Brock) could never have met a fat boy from California named Ron, and sparked a long distance friendship rooted in one comonality...the love of all things Pontiac.

Bill Takanabe has informed me that the GTO racer Ron purchased from him a while back will be up for sale for anyone interested, but for now the focus will be Mel' (Ron's wife) and taking care of Ron's final wishes in passing.

[beastmaster]

Didn't know him other than his postings and be very helpful to me and everyone here . I would like to extend my condolence to his family and friends.

[Robert C.]

Good man. Sorry for your loss.

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by Brian Baker

Ron's passing has humbly reminded me that we're not invincible, and in spite of our many differences, we all share one commonality, our love of all things Pontiac. It has also reminded me of how special this board has been, from its humble beginnings when I began lurking in the mid-90's to where it is today, for without it, a fat boy from Maryland named Mongo (hat tip to Jerry Brock) could never have met a fat boy from California named Ron, and sparked a long distance friendship rooted in one comonality...the love of all things Pontiac.

A great summation and reminder of what this community is really all about.

It's always sad to see a valued member of our Pontiac family leave us.

[INJUNTOM]

Sad day...a great member of the board.

Thanks for posting Brian. Every now and then I think of someone I haven't seen around in a while and it makes you wonder what happened to them. Definately nice to know.

[mike nixon]

I met Ron once in person, the year of the crabcakes Amy described. I've talked to him several times on the phone since tho.

He will be missed.

Safe travels my freind and peace to your family in this time of grief.

[Big Injun]

Sorry I have been unable to post over the weekend as I was without a computer. I was on my way up to Santa Cruz when I received a message from Ron's wife Melanie. She and I had been talking daily about Ron's condition. I knew by the sadness in her voice that we had lost my good friend.

Ron and I first met in the early 90s when Pontiac drag racing on the West Coast was no big thing. My Dad and I met Ron at a HO Racing open house and he became one of the family. Ron spent so much time over at my folks house, with my Day and I working on our GTOs that my Mom would often say, "Ron is the son she never wanted." which gave him a great laugh.

Ron, myself, Tim Dean, Dave McGarry and Otto Tharp were the founding committee members of Pontiac Drag Days that operated an 8 race season at LACR in Palmdale from 1994 until the track closed in July of 2007. Ron was tireless in his work to help grow Pontiac Drag Days and in our efforts to make PDD a family fun program.

Ron loved Pontiac racing! Ron's first '65 GTO was a nice street/strip car that we put together. He and I would drive our GTOs to tracks around SoCal and always had a ton of fun.

Like most of us, Ron always wanted to go faster. That chance came when Bill Takenabe decided to sell his '65 GTO racecar and concentrate on driving his dragster. Ron got to go fast, knocking on the 8 second wall but never getting in, but always smiling as he recalled how good the run was and how close he got.

I've lost a good friend but will forever have more memories of our times together than I can share.

Proud to have served his country, Ron's services will be held at the Riverside National Cemetery sometime early next week. When I know more, I will share the information.

Here is a shot of Ron being "Ron" and having fun at Pontiac Drag Days.

RIP my friend.

[Silver Judge]

Another good Pontiac man lost, RIP Ron

[60man]

Sorry to hear this. Condolences to his family.
RIP Ron

[2002Z4CSS]

Sorry to hear this.

[Brian Baker]

Sharing from Dave Anderson's post on FB:


RON HILDRETH'S MEMORIAL
Ron’s wife Melanie Hildreth sends her thanks for the sympathy and kindness that has been sent her way on Ron’s passing.

As a decorated Vietnam Veteran, Ron Hildreth’s memorial service will be held at the Riverside National Cemetery on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 2:30 PM.

This salute to Ron will be run on a military scheduled pace. Melanie invites all back to their home in Corona for a reception and the opportunity for more sharing of Ron’s life.

Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Blvd.
Riverside, CA 92518
951-653-8417

Please join family and friends back at the Hildreth’s home in Corona immediately following the ceremony at approximately 4:00 PM.

2679 Cherrybark Lane
Corona, CA 92881
951-279-7699

Melanie would really appreciate a call to RSVP your attendance at the house as she will need to gather additional seating for all in attendance.