Tony

Just catching up on all that is RL today...and i see this. WOW. How terribly sad espcially for those he has left behind.
I know we all say "RIP" but i sincerely hope the family he left behind can LIVE in peace. That is the hardest thing to comprehened when i look at my family and friends around me.

jorj7

I went through some of my photos from Sharks in the Park and collected the
photos of Andre and his car. I put them on a page at:

http://928.jorj7.com/events/Sharks-I...ark-with-Andre

RIP Andre

Rick Carter

Those pictures are great George, thanks for posting them.

MGW-Fla

Very sad news to read of this. Sometimes we never know what someone might be dealing with inside, when they seem so happy to the rest of the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Val and the kids, who are at such critical ages. They will need much love & support to deal with this tragedy.

Bill Ball

Yes, it occured to me to rename the award for him. He "owned" it. Good idea making it a competition with proceeds to the family. Thanks.

ROG100

I am crying as I read this - so wrong - I am lost for words - not me normally - sad beyond my comprehension - my Family grieves for you Val - you are a brave lady - look after your children - they need you so much.

Glenn M

Roger, I am with you.
I didn't know Andre but enjoyed his posts.
My thoughts and prayers are with Val and the children.

SidViscous

So while I was looking for some info to learn more about Andre I cam across an article where he was strongly involved (posted here elsewhere), and the author happened to be someone I knew a bit. So I passed on the news to him.

Turns out that Andre was the one who really brought the CPRM issue to light at the time and sort of forced the series of articles into being. Andre had met with the author at the time and after. He and I have been corresponding a bit and he is planning a brief article on Andre in the coming days. He's asked if any of the friends or family would like to pass on any info on Andre they can contact him at andrew.orlowski@theregister.com

His words to me in the last e-mail were "He had an impact on my work here as big as any one else. I'd like people to know that "

I've already passed on the Hedrick family website we've all see here.

the flyin' scotsman

Ive read this thread these past days at a loss as to what to write to you Val.

I didnt know Andre other then what I read here on Rennlist so cannot understand what matters took him to his final position. I also lived through this personal tradegy with an event with my own brother many many years ago. I can truthfully say I still do not understand why but through other family, friends and strong support groups just like these guys one can cope.

I wish you and your family all the strength you'll need in the next short and long times..........God bless

Malcolm and Daphne

ilikebig928butts

I met Andre for the 1st and last time at SITP back in May. Beer in hand, I was marveling at his paint job. He then spent the next 5 minutes telling how he actually used rattle cans to get the job done.
During those short couple o'hours during that bright sunny Sunday afternoon, I made a new friend.
My thoughts are with his loved ones.

mark kibort

I am deeply sadened by this news. I met Andre several times, and yes, it was awesome how he usually had his kids with him. One time, our kids played at my house while we talked and planned to fix either his car or mine.
Nicest guy you would ever want to meet. He was a car guy and it was always great talking with him.
He was so supportive of my racing. Always felt he was part of the 928 racing effort, whether for me or anderson at the track, when ever he showed up.
My heart goes out to the family.
very very sad.
RIP Andre', you will be missed!
Mark

Edit:
Val, your kids were wonderful and had a great time playing with my two boys. I dont know if they remember, it was so long ago, but I do.
Thanks for your post. I wish you the best for you and the kids, in getting through this tough time!

Val Hedrick

... to read these remembrances and see these photos of Andre at his best: happy, engaged in life, solving problems, fixing things. Truly, that is the way he would want to be remembered.

As my kids and I navigate these grieving days, carried on the prayers, help and good wishes of our community of friends and church folks, I am so grateful that Andre had you all to share his car passion with, and that he got the kids "infected" with it early. They all are saying that someday, they'd like to learn more about cars, particularly Porsches, engines, and how things work. When they are old enough, I will be looking around for people to teach them. Each one of them has a special memory or two of wonderful car-times with their Daddy. I am hoping that those memories will last a lifetime and will lead them to emulate the admirable qualities that they saw in their dad, and the qualities that you have been praising. Thank you all for your wonderful words.
-Val

SeanR

Thanks for posting here with your thoughts, it's no small measure when you do so.

Be assured that when your kids are ready to learn, there will be an unlimited number hands from this community who will willing to assist them with open arms.

Randy V

Another story:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07...dre_hedrick/?2

Comments by the IT community:

http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/c...e_pc/?sort=new


Memories weblog:

http://hedrick4419.blogspot.com/

3000teeth

This is terrible news. After just meeting Andre at SITP this year, he told me that he fixed the contest so that I got the "looks like it gets driven every day" award, despite my car having no interior --that was his sense of humor. He also jibed me for not owning my own timing light, but then offered to let me use one of his whenever I wanted to drive over --something I had planned to do (once I got my interior in). I didn't know him well, but I liked him, recognized his wry humor and wit and hoped to get to know him better. I never would expect he'd be in a state of mind to do this and hope that he had a conscious and responsible reason, perhaps to avoid prolonged suffering for himself and his family. I wish the very best for Val and the children.