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Bob Bardell passed away 9-3-2005 after a lengthy illness. |
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" We had to let Bob go this afternoon. He said that he did not want to suffer any more and we made the decision together while he still could. The doctors faced that fact that they couldn't do anything more to save, help, or improve his situation. Further treatment would only increase the damage that was destroying him. Bob would never come out of the ICU, be able to withstand any type of rehabilitation, or be able to resume any level of activity, and all without any quality of life.
Bob and I had 25+ incredible years together. As he promised me, it was never dull! We had cheated Death out of at least 15 years past when the aftermath of his original lung surgery was supposed to catch up with him. We made some wonderful lemonade with the lemons we were handed. We had no regrets. Life was good and Bob lived every minute of it. We shared boundless love and laughter, even in his last moments. I told Bob to envision the perfect night for racing, make the best run of his life in the low 11's or high 10's even, and that when he got to the end of the track, he'd have won his race. He smiled and those green eyes twinkled at the thought.
I will respect Bob's last wishes to be cremated and have no funeral service. He wanted to be remembered in our minds and hearts the way we knew him in life. However, I think he would like to be remembered in your prayers one last time, whether individual ones or group prayers within your own places of worship. Bob is now whole again, out of pain, at peace, and cradled in the arms of God.
I thank each of you for your tremendous support. To know that we were held so close by so many means more than I can express. It helped both of us every step of the way.
For now, my thanks and love to you all. I'll get in touch again a little farther down the track."
Lady Mayhem Kathleen
The Outsiders wish to offer the Bardell family our condolences and offer this Hopi Funeral Prayer...
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Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glint on snow I am the sunlight on the ripened grain I am the gently falling autumn rain When you wake in the morning hush I am the swift uplighting rush of quiet birds in circling flight I am the soft starlight at night Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep |
Rick VanGorder
Don Lamoine
Dean
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Dave Duell
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Born: August 10, 1938 Died: December 16, 2005 |
By BILL MEDLEY and TOM RAITHEL Courier & Press staff writers 464-7519 or medleyb@courierpress.com 464-7595 or raithel@evansville.net December 17, 2005
David Duell, president and owner of the Evansville Chrysler, Kia, Mazda and Volvo dealership, died Friday of complications related to lung cancer. Duell, who was in his late 60s, was well known for both his business and community activities. He was the owner of the dealership for 27 years and was the force behind the popular "Santa Clothes Club," which collected clothes for underprivileged children. Those who knew Duell recalled his friendly manner and his concern for improving the community. "His competitors were his colleagues," said Robert Wright of Wright Motors, who served alongside Duell in the Tri-State New Car Dealers Association. "When he came to Evansville ... he immediately made friends." Before buying Evansville Chrysler in 1981, Duell was employed by Chrysler Corp. for 15 years. In 2003, Duell bought Reliable Mazda Volvo. The dealerships were combined into a single company at 4600-4400 Division St. He and his wife, Sharon, were the company's minority stockholders while their sons, Doug and Greg, were majority stockholders. Duell also served as president of the Tri-State New Car Dealers Association for the last 12 years. Todd Stephens, general manager of Kelley's Northside Chevrolet and current president of the association, said Duell was the "go-to guy" whenever a problem came up. "He was a big advocate for the image of the business," Stephens said. "When we did have issues or concerns, he was one of the first people you'd go to about it." Duell served as president of the Santa Clothes Club telethon for more than 23 years. His involvement raised more than $4.5 million to clothe more than 65,000 youngsters in the Tri-State. "When I came to Evansville in 1980," he told the Evansville Courier & Press last year, "I had never been involved, nor, I'm not sure, ever given anything to charity." Duell credited Evansville community activist Bill Brooks with taking him under his wing and asking him to give back to the community. For his efforts with the Santa Clothes Club, Duell received the Man-Woman and Youth Award from the Boys & Girls Club in February 2004. Duell also served as a member of the Ivy Tech Foundation board and was active in Junior Achievement. He was also an avid follower of the drag racing circuit for many years. He sought competition for his white two-door 1964 Plymouth called "Drag'n Wag'n." Although Duell might win as much as $1,500 on a weekend, he said the money did not justify the expense of running his cars. "It's no different than any other sport or hobby. You've just got to treat it that way," Duell said.