The passing of Dave Ferguson

[Jaime G.]

Re: The passing of Dave Ferguson

A National Hero, an accomplished flyer, a great teacher, a good friend.
Its not often one gets a chance to know three people with those attributes, let alone one with all three. A man who will be missed but never forgotten. Fly high and long good friend. JG

[Don H.]

Re: The passing of Dave Ferguson

I am a johnny come lately to the early corvette hobby, and this club. I starting in late 2009 attending all the local, and some not so local meets I can get to, and learning about judging. I was at the Spring 2010 So. CAL meet at Corvette Mike's showing my 65 convertible in Sportsman, when I spotted a survivor maroon 65 convertible also parked in the Sportsman line. My 65 was parked nearby and I was comparing my car to that well worn and obviously very original example. I struck up a conversation with the older white haired man who said he owned it, and I noticed his SCC NCRS name tag marked Dave Ferguson #1076. I had no idea who he was, but was struck by his very low member number. I sheepishly told him mine was in the 50000 range. He said "we were all new in the club once". He spoke with me at length about aspects of his car, which we compared with aspects of my car. He said he had driven it to Anaheim from Apple Valley or Lancaster or some such place, over 100 miles one way. He was extremely friendly and personable, with no sign of haughtiness. Later, I read about Dave Ferguson and his experiences with early superchargers in the 53 corvette in the Restorer, and how he was a Viet Nam war hero and Lockheed test pilot. I had forgotten about my encounter with the man previously until I read these tributes to him. Now that I do recall my visit with him and his car 18 months ago, I wish I would have known and offered him my thanks for his service to our country and contribution to this corvette hobby. I offer them belatedly now. I have not met many, if any, others quite like him. Godspeed sir, and may God bless your family. Don Hooper 50543

[Ed H.]

Re: The passing of Dave Ferguson

I attended Ferge's memorial this past Sunday. The event was both, somber, and eye opening funny. Dave led the kind of life we all wish we could have. Family was first, from Jan his very sweet wife and partner of almost 50 years, his daughters, Teri and Bonnie, and the apple of his eye, grandson, Cian. Next Was Dave's love of flying fast fighters and fast corvettes. The speakers were fighter pilots, both Airforce and Navy, that flew with Dave, or others that experienced the thrill of combat flying, and like Dave loved Corvettes. The service was short but all that needed to be said was said. I went away with a sad but uplifting feeling. I know with out a doubt that Dave was in the room. I could here him saying to himself, "this go around has been a hoot", fired up a cigar, and went off to join all of his fighter jocks that he so dearly loved. Fair sky and following wind Dave, and may your guns never jam. You will be missed, but your memory will remain in all hearts of all those you touched.

[Howard B.]

Re: The passing of Dave Ferguson

Knowing Dave And Working With Him Early On Was Something I Will Always Remember. To You Dave God Speed. Howard B.

[James S.]

Re: The passing of Dave Ferguson

May Dave rest in peace and my condolences to his family.

[Dan M.]

Re: The passing of Dave Ferguson

I worked with Dave out at Edwards Air Force Base on the YF22 program in 1990. Great guy. Sorry to hear of his passing.

[Mike M.]

Re: The passing of Dave Ferguson

i've been reluctant to post on this Fergie thread as i still can't believe we've lost one of the most valuable, likeable, giving members of NCRS. i spoke with dave a few days before his demise and he was upbeat as usual. i've know a bunch of folks over my 66 years but nobody matches his hero status in my mind. although i'm aircraft ignorant, i'm pretty certain he knew as much abouit airplanes as he did the early corvettes( few could match his knowledge of the c-1's). Dave was raised in central Pa and spent his summers working his grandfathers farm not far from our farm. Over the years, he'd drop by our place and the smile on his mug was always iconic.When his grandfathers barn was torn down, i got some timbers from the old structure and gave a piece to dave. i could tell he was touched by the wooden beam lighting memories of his youth.RIP good buddy.mike