We lost another one

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Tom VanMeeteren
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We lost another one

Post by Tom VanMeeteren » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:22 am

I received a phone call last night from a mutual friend and looked on Google this morning to confirm it.

From the mortuary site on the web "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Herman Kohnke (Clare, Iowa), who passed away on April 20, 2020, at the age of 73, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends can light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Herman Kohnke to show support"

Herm was a good friend and did a lot of babbit work for me. He bailed me out one time when I had a knock in a newly rebuilt engine and checked the rods and straightened the one offender and the engine ran perfectly thereafter. Good by old friend!!!!

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Henry K. Lee » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:29 am

A Great loss for all! With Greatest Sympathy!

Hank Lee and Family

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Mark Nunn
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Mark Nunn » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:32 am

This is very sad news, indeed. Herm's impact on this community cannot be ignored. Thank you for sharing this with us, Tom.
Last edited by Mark Nunn on Thu Apr 30, 2020 12:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.


Dan Hatch
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Dan Hatch » Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:20 am

A real loss to all. I learned a lot from him. He will be missed .

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TWrenn
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Re: We lost another one

Post by TWrenn » Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:26 am

Didn't know him from Adam, but what few posts of his I've read, seems like he knew his stuff, and also wasn't afraid to express his opinion. My kind of guy. I'm sure he will be missed. RIP.

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Mark Chaffin
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Mark Chaffin » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:05 am

God speed Herman! You were a wealth of information. You will indeed be missed.


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:13 am

What a shock. Had he been ill for long?

Tremendous knowledge, now lost. Hopefully we were listening.

Rest in peace. May perpetual light shine upon you Herm.

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RajoRacer
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Re: We lost another one

Post by RajoRacer » Thu Apr 30, 2020 11:27 am

Very sad to hear of Herman's passing - we've had numerous discussions (some heated) over the last 30 years !!!


ThreePedalTapDancer
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Re: We lost another one

Post by ThreePedalTapDancer » Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:25 pm

What a sad loss. Babbitting is becoming a lost art unfortunately. Hopefully his son is going carry on his legacy, I know he worked side by side with him.

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perry kete
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Re: We lost another one

Post by perry kete » Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:29 pm

My condolences to the Kohnke family
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring


R.V.Anderson
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Re: We lost another one

Post by R.V.Anderson » Thu Apr 30, 2020 2:03 pm

Sad news indeed. Deepest condolences to the Kohnke family. We have indeed lost a good one.


katjack78
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Re: We lost another one

Post by katjack78 » Thu Apr 30, 2020 3:21 pm

While I did not personally know Herm, I followed all his posts and respected his experienced opinions. This will be a great loss to our hobby community. My condolences to his family.....John Jackson

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George Mills
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Re: We lost another one

Post by George Mills » Thu Apr 30, 2020 4:13 pm

Aww Shucks...

That certainly did not make my day!

RIP Herm, I will definitely miss our endless and bottomless phone discussions and debates about the 'why's' of certain things.

You knew your craft better than most, you stuck to your guns better and longer than most, and I'd like to think your 'customer satisfaction" list of customers would also be the best (or at least a tie). I am glad that I had the honor to call you 'friend'.

Fair winds and following seas...

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MKossor
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Re: We lost another one

Post by MKossor » Thu Apr 30, 2020 4:36 pm

Very sorry to learn this sad news. Enjoyed reading Herm's posts and the knowledge he shared with the Forum. Condolances to family and friends.
I-Timer + ECCT Adjusted Coils = Best Model T Engine Performance Possible!
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Wayne Sheldon
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Thu Apr 30, 2020 4:45 pm

Stunned.
I always enjoyed his posts, even, if not especially, the lengthy ones. He knew a lot, and will be missed by many.

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Duey_C
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Duey_C » Thu Apr 30, 2020 7:21 pm

Very sad news. Hopefully the family can know how much he was respected here.
Very bright, meticulous man that knew his stuff.
He shared what he could on this forum and I'm thankful he did. Love his posts.
I liked his style too.
Gonna miss your posts here Herm. He'll be above, watching us every time we read his posts and think of him.
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated


23ford
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Re: We lost another one

Post by 23ford » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:30 pm

Sad day He will be missed


KeithG
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Re: We lost another one

Post by KeithG » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:19 pm

I feel very sad for Herm and his family. I enjoyed his posts on the Forum & he really knew his stuff. He will be missed.

Keith
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agriscience
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Re: We lost another one

Post by agriscience » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:29 pm

So SAD!
I have learned a great deal from his photos/posting and phone calls!
He will be missed GREATLY!
Best to his family!


Randall strickland
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Randall strickland » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:34 pm

Condolences to the Kohnke family,talked to Herm many times, he was always willing to answer my questions,I stopped by his shop once while on vacation,very hospitable.

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Sean Butler
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Sean Butler » Fri May 01, 2020 12:21 am

Herman Kohnke: Thank you!
Sean Butler
Huntington Beach, CA


Ken Buhler
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Ken Buhler » Fri May 01, 2020 1:51 am

Herman was always kind and helpful In the conversations I had with him. He never expressed a need to end our time, and always invited me to call him again. I had hoped to speak with him again soon.
There was a man who was not afraid of telling you how he felt and I thanked him for that.
For those of you who do not know much of the value he brought to us, (along with his cantankerous rants), we lost a great resource of knowledge.
My condolences to those who loved him.
Ken Buhler
Work honestly
Stay true to your word
Get the job done right

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david_dewey
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Re: We lost another one

Post by david_dewey » Fri May 01, 2020 2:44 am

A real loss for the T community. At this point in my life, 73 doesn't seem to be that old! We will miss his very interesting, detailed postings. He gave me a lot to think about, as I'm certain he did others too. My condolences to the family.
David Dewey
T'ake care,
David Dewey


rickd
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Re: We lost another one

Post by rickd » Fri May 01, 2020 6:50 am

Herm straightened and brazed up a pan for me last year. Before I shipped the pan to him I asked if I should crate it; Hell no he said, wrap it in plastic and put your address on it, those pans are tough! He had some great advice for me on my project as well and we talked at length on the phone. Very generous with his time. I will miss him. My condolences to his family.

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George House
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Re: We lost another one

Post by George House » Fri May 01, 2020 12:33 pm

Oh no !! I so enjoyed his participation on this Forum and very much increased my Model T knowledge by reading of Herm’s experiences. Like Jerry said, “ I hope we were listening”.. to him. Prayers for God’s comfort an Grace to the Kohnke family.,
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪


26modeltt
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Re: We lost another one

Post by 26modeltt » Fri May 01, 2020 6:56 pm

A walking encyclopedia on Model T's. Had the opportunity to meet Herm in February when he completed straightening my Model TT's crankcase. Peace be with you.


jiminbartow
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Re: We lost another one

Post by jiminbartow » Sat May 02, 2020 10:35 am

While I did not always agree with his opinions, which he had many, I had plenty of respect for him and his vast knowledge of Model T’s. I did not know he was sick. It must have been sudden. I’m sure many are wondering, was it the virus that took him? If so, it is a reminder for everyone, here, at our ages, to take the necessary precautions to stay safe. RIP, Herm. You will be missed. Jim Patrick

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Roger Byrne
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Re: We lost another one

Post by Roger Byrne » Sat May 02, 2020 3:59 pm

Herm was a great asset to the preservation of Model T's. A true professional in his workmanship and knowledge. I never met him but communicated with him via E-mail a few times . . . he always had an answer. He didn't suffer fools well, but if you weren't a know-it-all, he would take the time to explain things. We lost a wealth of wisdom with his passing.
Preserving Mechanical History for Future Generations since 1965


SurfCityGene
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Re: We lost another one

Post by SurfCityGene » Sun May 03, 2020 1:19 pm

I'm shocked and saddened to hear this news.
1912 Torpedo Roadster

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