red anderson passes.

[John Duzac]

I just heard the sad news about the death of Red Anderson. Everybody has to die, but no one should have to suffer. I sincerely hope Red did not suffer and passed in his sleep. Like everyone, I have my Red Anderson stories too. My 55 Chevy ran so poorly for a long time and then we went to Jim Walbel for help. Almost over night our car jumped up and started to run 3 tenths under the record. We went to a points meet in Bowling Green Ky and set a record in Q/S. A rules change the next year and we were running Super Stock T. We found much better heads we could run on the car and almost instantly put us running 12:50's. Red was waiting for us at a points meet at Laplace. Car was still on the truck and Red wanted to see the casting numbers on those heads! It was in black and white that we could run those heads. But no one could find those castings. You could not order them new. You just had to find them in a junk yard. They came on a 1959 Chevy 283. Boy, did they flow! We ended up setting the record that weekend and
Red Tossed me and my partner for the heads due to the valve job top angle. We went to the Gator Nationals the next week and qualified # 5. The car was checked out and the heads passed tech. Not another problem out of Red Anderson.

I long for those days, like many other racers on this site. I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Red, Dale and Chuck Nelson. Those guys are tops in my book and I hope to see them again one day. God Bless them!

Happy New Year everyone.

[sammy pizzolato]

well said johnny well said !!!

[Danny Lawson]

I'm Red's son-in-law, just found this thread, and shared with his family. I wanted to let everyone know that reading the stories has been a real blessing to his family and they find great comfort in knowing that he was so loved in the NHRA community. He often spoke fondly of his NHRA days, and those experiences and friendships were an important part of his life.

Interestingly enough, we always thought he was just tough on us, so it's good to know that he treated everyone the same. I've been married to his oldest daughter for 32 years and initially didn't think he liked me very well, but over the years we grew closer and come to realize that he really did care about me and treated me like a son and I looked up to him as a father figure. He was awesome to me and our children, and I couldn't have asked for a better father-in-law.

Just wanted to let everyone know that although Red had a lot of health issues, he was tough to the very end and died peacefully with his family by his side. I'm sure he's in heaven now making sure everyone is following the rules and telling them how to do their jobs!

Family visitation has been set for Wed, Jan 2 from 5-7 pm (CST). Funeral service is set for Thurs, Jan 3 at 2 pm (CST). Both will be held at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home in McKinney, Tx. Here's the link to their website and you should be able to read his obituary on-line tomorrow. http://www.turrentinejacksonmorrow.com/

Also, I found this great photo on-line of Division 4 Tech Team that Red was a member of. If anyone has any NHRA pictures of Red that they could share with the family it would be greatly appreciated.

[Danny Lawson]

More Red Anderson pictures from his NHRA days.

[396chevy]

I am saddened to hear that one of my true hero's of our sport has passed on. Red not only was a expert tech man but he also was very ingenious. I still use the custom made checking tools to aid me in assembling motors he had made for me almost 40 years ago. These where truly state of art for the times. Red was definetly a great influence on the sport and kept everyone on the straight and narrow. When Red checked you in tear down you knew you had been checked by the best. He was tough but always had the time to explain the proper way of doing things; checking volumes , piston domes, stroke, deck etc. I learned alot from the guy, he really knew his stuff. ...Hope to see you in tear down someday again Red (my piston domes will be right) Bill Davis

[sammy pizzolato]

wow thanks danny for the memories look at those old pics now that is how i will allways remember mr red and the rest of the div 4 members that we knew from the past. thanks for the memories if you have more pic's please post them.

[Danny Lawson]

A few more Red Anderson pics. I believe these to be all NHRA.