It's with great sadness that I share the Herb Ertel has passed away
yesterday.  I don’t know how old he was, I can only tell you about the
man he was to me.  You see, quite a few years ago I started looking
for my “dream car” I wanted to buy a Studebaker Hawk.  He was the
first man that took me seriously, most shoed me away.  Like tomorrow
she’ll want a new puppy.  This really burned me but I didn’t give up.
I looked and I looked and made many disappointing contacts, then I met
Herb.  I didn’t meet him face to face at first.  I met him on the
phone.  He told me the difference of the Hawks and what to look for,
like the window post “that’s a silver hawk.  Then there’s the Golden
Hawk and you’ll know it by the missing post and the levers on the
hood.  You will also have to get used to the whine of the super-
charger.   He ended that first conversation by inviting Sam and I to a
Studebaker meeting.  I was shocked that I was invited although I
didn’t have a car.  He assured me that it was okay.  We went and it
took along time until I found my Ruby, a 61 hawk and I just couldn’t
wait to show Herb and get his approval.  Over the years when I needed
some expertise and some good old fashion advice I’d call Herb.  Last
week when our Studebaker club meeting ended, we all went to Herb’s
house and shared some yogurt ice-cream with Jeanne and Herb.  This
being said I have to tell you, Jeanie and Herb opened up their house
for years to us after our Christmas dinner for dessert.  It sure felt
good taking alittle something to them.  Herb sick, still talked shop
while eating his yogurt and Jeanne asked about all that happened in
the meeting for the club newsletter.  Herb and Jeanne always stood out
with their “Honey-bun” a beautiful 1955 commander.  Just recently
while at the Huntington Beach Old World car show Herb and Honey-bun
stared in a video Magazine.  Herb will be missed beyond words from me.

Rhonda Bailey
Aka Red2ubabe