Art & Inspiration A Hot Rodders memorial.

This last December my father in law Dan passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was a good man and a good husband and great father to two wonderful daughters. He was a Vietnam veteran, worked hard and was honest as the day was long. He was also a hot rodder, he had a 55 Chevy hardtop and an International kB-2 pickup that was used on the family farm before he turned it into a hot rod pickup.
After he passed my mother in law talked about wanting to buy a bench to memorialize him. I mentioned that I could make one and put it at his car clubs clubhouse. She was on board and the car club said absolutely. This is what I came up with. It’s still has a few finishing touches Dans grandson Jade has a cnc mill and he will make a plaque telling everyone this is Dans bench. Dan made his living as a fence contractor so I had to incorporate chain link into the bench and of course an international tailgate for the back rest the arm rests are old Ford leaf springs and an old flex plate for some structure in the back. Dan loved to fish so I made a fishing pole from several sizes of rebar mounting it under the seat front. I have one of his original international hubcaps that will be attached to one side of the bench and I’m looking for a 55 Chevy dog dish cap to put on the other. We are missing him everyday, this summers cruzing is going to be bittersweet with out him. I love ya Dan.

 

Really nice. Sorry you lost him.

 

Nice job, I was wondering about the chain link before I read the entire post, makes perfectly good sense. a fitting tribute to a mentor & a hot rodder. HRP

 

Sorry for your loss. That is a great memorial piece

 

Nice work, wonderful tribute. Great that he was a nice guy, many memories will be shared on that bench.

 

What a perfect tribute to your father in law, nice job!

 

Sorry for your loss. Great job on a well thought out project!

 

Thats a cool memorial for Dan.

 

condolences, do you have any pics of his car & truck?

 

Very sorry for your loss of Dan. I like the way you speak about what kind of a person he was. The bench is just great, I am sure many will enjoy it and remember Dan. Really nice that you did such a kind , thoughtful and generous action. You are a good person sir.

 

You did good. Sorry for the loss of a good man.

 

I can see that you thought highly of him, that bench says so. Dan was a fortunate man to have so many Friends. Condolences to You and Your Family.

 

Sorry for your loss, and also think you've done him proud.

 

The fact that you were willing to spend your time building that for him, speaks volumes about his life.

 

Sorry for the loss. Perfect tribute.

 

Sorry to hear about the loss of your father in-law. Great job on the bench.

 

Some of us get blessed with great In-Laws. Your words (and the bench) show your great love for an obviously exceptional man.

 

I do Sam. The pictures that are indoors was at our last winter show after he had passed.

 

Very fitting on the bench. Long after the sadness passes, the good memories remain. My sympathies to the family and friends.

 

Excellent...a wonderful memorial !

 

What a nice tribute. Your dad will be smiling as folks enjoy the bench.
I really like the flywheel gussets. Make the plaque out of brass if possible.

 

Wonderful tribute sir. Sorry for the loss of your father in law.

 

Sorry for your loss, great bench project, thank you for pointing out all the special features and the reasons they are there.

 

Sorry for your loss. Great job on a fitting tribute.

 

So sorry for your loss also. You did a great job on the bench. He's smiling down you can bet on that. And he's proud of you all. Lippy

 

Don't know about your neck of the woods but anything brass here in SoCal that is accessible to the public is fair game for the tweakers to steal. And the damage they can do to whatever the plaque is mounted to when they "remove" it can run into some serious replacement dollars. The bench you made is awesome and a fitting tribute to class act. Your FIL is looking down at the bench right now with a big smile on his face.

 

Cool build - Sincere sympathy to you and all of his friends and especially his Family

 

Very Kool ! Sorry for your loss.

 

thanks for the pics of his cars, very nice, I really like the IH.

 

That's a really nice memorial you made for him, I'm sure the family is proud of it.