The End of an Era

Dave Brand · 28 Sep 2008, 14:49 (Ref:2299538)

Those of us who were at Oulton Park yesterday witnessed a somewhat sad occasion - a presentation to Dick Fraser to mark his retirement from marshalling.

The many of us who had the pleasure of working with Dick will know how much experience, knowledge & , above all, wisdom he shared with us.

He will be missed...

ChrisA · 28 Sep 2008, 17:06 (Ref:2299650)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

Those of us who were at Oulton Park yesterday witnessed a somewhat sad occasion - a presentation to Dick Fraser to mark his retirement from marshalling.

The many of us who had the pleasure of working with Dick will know how much experience, knowledge & , above all, wisdom he shared with us.

He will be missed...

Totally agree with you Dave. Dick is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to marshalling. He will be sadly missed from the bank.

**Woolley** · 28 Sep 2008, 21:24 (Ref:2299849)

One of my earliest Observers when I first started marshalling. A fine man, a wise head and a very good teacher. Sad to hear of his retirement. Dick, you'll be very much missed.

Paul Newns · 29 Sep 2008, 09:13 (Ref:2300131)

I'm sorry I missed the opportunity to say farewell to Dick. He is a true gent and I shall miss chatting to him.

JimW · 29 Sep 2008, 12:01 (Ref:2300257)

I too am very sorry to have missed this opportunity to pay tribute to Dick. Always a source of balance and common sense.

Jim

snatchman · 29 Sep 2008, 13:33 (Ref:2300354)

Sorry to hear of Dicks retirement i wish i could have been there to say goodbye. I have fond memories of marshalling with Dick he would always say well done for a job well done or if the cars were still out he would clap you.He would always try and answer any questions or give you advice enjoy yor retirement Dick.

KayBee · 29 Sep 2008, 14:40 (Ref:2300391)

I too would like to wish Dick a long and happy retirement.

JEP · 29 Sep 2008, 14:41 (Ref:2300392)

Enjoy your retirement Dick, I learnt a lot working with you and no one could fail to pick up something for use in the future. There are few people who have given so much to Marshalling over such a long period. Good luck.

JEP

The Flagman · 29 Sep 2008, 16:10 (Ref:2300467)

Dick must have been around a while as his signature frequently appeared on my Grading Cards back in the early 1980s. One of the school of gentlemen.

Always enjoyed his sensible and level headed approach to situations and the way he managed the post. Many of our current Post Chiefs could learn much from him about using the Indians in the correct manner.

Greatest respect. Enjoy your "Stand Down".

David Morgan

Dave Brand · 29 Sep 2008, 18:15 (Ref:2300549)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Flagman

Dick must have been around a while as his signature frequently appeared on my Grading Cards back in the early 1980s.

If I remember correctly, he said he'd done over fifty years' marshalling!

dave vass · 30 Sep 2008, 10:47 (Ref:2301011)

Dick was involved a great deal in training me to become an observer, many years ago, and we struck up a great relationship on circuits all around the country for a long while afterwards. He will certainly be missed, especially by the silver tops!
May he have a long and happy retirement.

Pensioner · 30 Sep 2008, 14:20 (Ref:2301158)

Well said Dave. I first met Dick in 1969 and he was Observing then. All those years and until recently he still came to training days - to learn. What he could learn I'm not sure, but he could throw a nice curve ball at the trainers.
A top man without any doubt. He will certainly be missed. He is not in the best of health but I hope he will manage to get to the odd meeting just for a chat.

Aardvaark · 30 Sep 2008, 17:37 (Ref:2301283)

Marshalling with Dick was always a true pleasure and always a huge learning curve - when you realised how much he knows and how much there is to learn.

Shelagh · 3 Oct 2008, 19:48 (Ref:2303633)

Dick was the only Observer who ever wrote a comment on my flag grading card (early 90's) - and it was a nice one!!

We haven't seen him for a while and this probably explains why.

He doesn't live too far away from us, so if we get an address, we could pass on nice comments to him (assuming he is not 10/10ths savvy).

Shelagh & Bill

Eric Ridler · 3 Oct 2008, 21:09 (Ref:2303699)

It is sometime since I spoke to Dick and was quite despondent that he wasn't able to cope with standing in an Observers box any longer. I suggested he became a judge, which meant at least he was still part of the group and able to meet his friends and that is where he has been the last couple of years.

I am saddened that he is no longer around to offer his friendly advice and comment. He is the only person I know who could hold your hand and calm your nerves all from other the end of a telephone line. He was my mentor on many occasions in my early years as an observer at Donington and Mallory.
Best wishes old friend enjoy your retirement.

Eric Ridler

Stuart Hill · 3 Oct 2008, 21:36 (Ref:2303713)

Sometimes something happens, which you weren't aware of before, but were there for and so duly joined-in with the applause. It was only when I realised just who we were applauding that I realised just what British Motorsport and Marshalling were losing.

Dick Fraser (IMHO) is not only one of my guiding lights as a rookie marshal from way back, but also the epitome of the perfect Observer. Not only would he welcome you onto the Post and give you all the briefing you could ever need, he would also make you feel that you deserved to be there, be it as I/O, Flag, Incident or even first-dayer. You never felt that he was "in-his-box" and away from you.

This is probably his greatest legacy;

1st day, Last day or 1000th day................Dick always treated you the same and was always able to pass-on some trinket of information that would be of use to you.

Dick, you will be missed. Enjoy your retirement but please remember, and take credit for, all of us marshals that have grown-up under you and have hopefully become better marshals because of you.

Shelagh · 4 Oct 2008, 12:09 (Ref:2303963)

Eric has just sent me Dick's address (thanks).

I'll leave this a bit longer to give more people chance to post, assuming they wish to, before printing it off and delivering to Dick so he knows how much we all appreciate what he has done for us and how much we will miss him.

Shelagh

allanh · 6 Oct 2008, 11:02 (Ref:2305274)

Dick, you must have many memories of meetings and events over the years. My lasting memory of you is at Mallory one day a few years ago. You were as usual at post seven, we were dealing with an incident at post eight in the middle of the track after the red flag. A car came around at full racing speed and missed us (just). You ran (almost) towards us, asked me to confirm the car number and then marched off to race control to deliver your report in person. It was a picture i will keep in my mind always of you striding up the stairs. I'm sure the driver learn't a lesson that day.

mark_l · 6 Oct 2008, 16:34 (Ref:2305469)

Dick has forgotten more about marshalling than most of us will ever learn.

When you got an upgrading signature from Dick you knew you had earned it, as he did not give them away.

Thanks for all the advice and enjoyment you have given.

Stuart Hill · 6 Oct 2008, 18:13 (Ref:2305525)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_l

When you got an upgrading signature from Dick you knew you had earned it, as he did not give them away.

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