Dale Pearmans' Memorial

[Gary Bishop]

On Saturday morning, September 4th, 2004 Nancy and I had the privilege to attend a Memorial service for Dale Pearman at the National Corvette Museum. Dale's Aunt, Gail Gatlin, and his nephew, Ken Hansen, placed his ashes under the Memorial Brick placed by the "Vetteheads". Dale made his last ride to Museum on his Aunt's lap in "Varroom".

We met Dale Pearman at an NCRS Meet in the early `90's and became friends. Gary judged wit h Dale many times at Regional and National Meets and kept in touch throughout the years. He educated Gary a great deal about Solid Axle Corvettes. Nancy came to know Dale at social events and she affectionately called him her "Teddy Bear" because once you got to know him he was a great guy.
We think of Dale Pearman often while attending NCRS Meets as well as such events as Corvettes @ Carlisle.

Gary and Nancy Bishop,

http://ca.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bishs99/album?.tok=phlIwtBBBq2FNyb5&.dir=/1a09&.src=ph

http://ca.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bishs99/album?.tok=phlIwtBBBq2FNyb5&.dir=/1a09&.src=ph

[Michael W.]

Thanks Gary

for that nice tribute and for you and Nancy representing us Canadians at the placing of Dale's Vettehead brick.

Mike

[Chuck L.]

Re: Dale Pearmans' Memorial

I know I am one of the late comer's to experience the Dale Pearman fellowship, but I felt it only appropriate to relay my relatively short experience with him. I met Dale at Bloomington in 1996 when he was a workshop intructor at the Spingfield Illinois Fairgrounds. He helped me with all my numerous '62 questions at that venue. Then I saw his posts on the NCRS and Vetteheads websites after that and began to learn who he really was to the Corvette world.

When I lost my '62 block to a shyster Corvette restorer in Michigan, John Hinckley recommended I call Dale. Dale spent months finding the correct dated block in California, as well as all the correct engine internals and the correctly dated heads and intake. We met again after 6 years face to face at the 2002 Florida Regional NCRS show in Orlando. Prior to that all the only contact we had was by phone or Email. It was all done on trust. In hot Florida weather, Dale and I loaded all the parts, block, heads, crank and all, in my trailer, that he had hauled from Tennessee in his Dodge pickup. I remember kidding him about the non-GM product. We were both dripping wet when we got through.

Luckily, I was able to see Dale again getting around in a wheel chair at the 2003 Regional in Orlando. I knew at the time he was failing. Only recently through this website have I learned so many great things about him. I will miss him.

[David N.]

Re: Dale Pearmans' Memorial

To all,

I never had the pleasure of meeting Dale in person but, I had enjoyed his rye sense of humour and respected his vast straight axle Corvette knowledge here at the NCRS Technical website. When I went to the photos posted by his friends and family, I thought there could be no better place for Dale's ashes to rest than at the Corvette Museum. And very appropiately beneath the "Vettheads" memorial plaque.

I wish to send my condolences to his wife, family, and of course to all of his dear Corvette friends. I did not have dry eyes as I reviewed the photos.
Respectfully,

David Nims member 19639

P.S. I am sure we will all miss him dearly. Hopefully he will live on in our hearts, minds, and even in our 'Vette hobby pursuits.