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Very, very sad news. I will miss his professional contributions and his amazing knowledge of Matchbox. He was one of the greatest regular wheel collectors.
My friend Kwackers, rest in peace...I will miss you
Antonin

wouldn't it be a nice tribute to Dick if someone from his family could continue his legacy here

I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of Kwakers untimely passing. I really enjoyed his responses to the regular wheels postings - he was always very enthusiastic and usually provided great background information on the models shown including how he had obtained his own harder to find variations.

But good to hear the family will continue with his collection

He will be greatly missed - R.I.P. Kwakers

Sebastian

Very sad news, my sympathy applies to the bereaved.
Sven

I do hope Dick's Sons, Richard, Daniel and Steven can carry on where Dick has had to leave and hope they can come to the forum where they will be made so very welcome.

On behalf of the forum members, I would be happy to work with Hugh in continuing to contact Dick's boys when the time is right.

Ghosthunter.

It would be wonderful if at least one of Dick's sons were to join the Forum, either under a new alias or, if they prefer, continuing to use the name Kwakers. (I can easily reset the password if that's an issue.)
I'm sure that all Members would do their utmost to make them feel welcome, and would bend over backwards to be as kind, patient, and informative towards each of them as Dick was to each of us.

For Dick: May the sun always shine on your face and the wind always be at your back and you be 15 minutes in Heaven before the Devil even knows your gone.

I'm sorry to hear this. Very sad news indeed. I never met him, but saw him many, many times over the years at the Macungie toy show looking very closely at every matchbox toy. I very much valued his well thought out responses and insight provided here.

Hi everyone, this is Dick's youngest son Steven. I had a lucky guess at his login information. I'm sorry in advance as this is going to be a very long and emotional post. First and foremost I want to thank you all on behalf of the Kwak family for the lovely responses and good things to say about dad. I know it's human nature to want to know what happened to him, so I'd like to offer what I can. On Friday, May 25th, my parents stayed home from work to deal with some issues regarding my oldest brother. My dad told me he would be in to work within about an hour. After those issues were resolved, my parents had to wait to hear news and so my mom went to do dishes. Dad laid down to crack his back as he always has done. Unfortunately when mom came back out he was gone. She gave cpr, called an ambulance which came quickly. They tried everything for a half hour at the house and then another 90 minutes at the hospital. They tried everything they possibly could and for that we are ever so thankful, as that is what he would have wanted. He was in no pain other than a slight back pain, and the heart attack they had found was a massive one which according to my mothers timeline could not have lasted more than a few minutes. I hold this close to me because he went quickly and painlessly which is all anyone can ask for. He left us way too soon, but he himself had no intentions of going. They did find an aneurysm which had burst during the heart attack, so no matter what happened he didn't stand much of a shot. He was a fighter but there was no fight here, only fate.
My father leaves behind not only his collection of toys but also a junkyard full of life size antique cars, trucks, buses, and equipment. This is the most important area for our family to focus on right now. For the moment we are going to double box his collection of toys and keep them safely stored. They will be sealed until we have a minute to breathe. Because this is not only my father's collection but also my grandfather's, it hurts our hearts to consider selling anything not only in the close time frame but also in the future. My father enjoyed collecting these cars so much and loved your community like his second family. He did know that myself and my brothers didn't share this interest with him, which he understood. We would like to hold these memories of him close, because as time goes we see a future collector in the family be it one of us or one of our children. I want you to know that his collection will be safe with us and will be valued just as it was by him.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message, and for giving our dad an online community to be able to interact in and enjoy himself. His death is not only untimely but also the biggest shock to all of us. Thank you for your messages which have helped to mend broken hearts as we see how loved he was by so many. With him went so much knowledge, knowledge which never stopped expanding. When the time is right one of his family members will come to this forum to learn. Please make sure you enjoy the time you have with your loved ones. Thank you all and God bless.

All the best to you and your family Steven.
Glad to hear the collection will remain in your family.