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So sorry to hear this news. Kwackers knowledge and guidance helped me out on many occasions. May he rest in peace and my condolences to his family and friends.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote: Can I propose we find somewhere on the forum to be called or named after a truly great collector, Kwackers. Ghosthunter.

I would like to second Ghosty's proposal, it would be a nice gesture. We did pay tribute to Wolfie a few years ago in a similar way and it seems fitting to me.

This is truely sad news!
I met Dick a couple of times during the Macungie car and toy shows over the years, and I spent hours of Matchbox talking with him.
His knowledge about Regular Wheels variations was truely amazing, and every single time we met he showed me some unlisted variations that he had just found along his way. I will miss him!

Kay

im shocked to hear this...what a great guy...always willing to help...he will be missed...RIP kind sir

johnboy wrote:

GHOSTHUNTER wrote: Can I propose we find somewhere on the forum to be called or named after a truly great collector, Kwackers. Ghosthunter.

I would like to second Ghosty's proposal, it would be a nice gesture. We did pay tribute to Wolfie a few years ago in a similar way and it seems fitting to me.

Perhaps a subsection called the Caveman’s Corner for discussion of Lesney history and the history of collecting.

Just wanted to share this, a blue-green 75b, which was almost certainly Dick's last Matchbox purchase:
I tipped him off about the Ebay auction, and he was so enthusiastic about it. He wrote: "This one looks really Blue, so is a SUPER needed variation I have never seen here in the U.S. It is of interest tonight that Brennen noted the light blue Ferrari in his 2nd Edition NAMC Guide, but did not have one in his own collection at that time. Some Yank or Brit must have shown him a "Real one", otherwise he never would have listed that one in his Guide that was printed in Jan. of 1973."
Sadly, it'll only be arriving at his home address sometime this week...

Calling hours have officially ended but the line of friends still stretches out the door.
Dick touched many lives, old and young.

I’ve just read the very sad news about Kwakers. Even in my very brief time on the forum, he took a lot of time and trouble to post a number of truly priceless responses to my regular wheel posts, including an amazing insight just a couple of weeks ago into the background of Ferrari Berlinettas stateside.

I had only just begun to read some of the earliest posts on here in an effort to build up my knowledge on lesney. I’m sure I will find many more gems from Kwakers along the way.

As many VBD readers know, Kwackers collection was a family affair.

The collection was started by Dick’s father. But soon Dick was in the stores of downtown Schenectady with his mother, urging recalcitrant shop clerks to get that two color 69b Hayes Tractor Shovel down from the top shelf and to let them look through the old stock of out of date models for missing variations. Even as a lad, Dick was a variation collector!

Now, the family reports that Dick and Sally’s three sons will carry on the family collection.

MatchboxFreak wrote:Now, the family reports that Dick and Sally’s three sons will carry on the family collection.

That is good news! Finally there's a pin-prick of light in the darkness of this thread.