MTFCA Forum

When Stan Howe passed away several years ago, he had a lot of carburetors in various states of repair with, I heard, parts all over his shop. Was everyone who had carburetors in his shop for repairs at the time of his passing, able to retrieve their carburetors? I understand he had a lot of rare carburetors of MTFCA members who, at the time, voiced their concerns on the forum on how they were going to go about getting their carburetors back. I never heard a followup on this.

A friend of mine in Australia didn't get his back. i believe it was an OF Stromberg. He was told that some kind of order was slapped on everything until Stan's estate was settled. I believe Stan's accounting for what was whose made it very difficult those trying to sort it out.

Allan from down under.

R.I.P. Stan. I'm wondering; Has anyone else besides me, got one of his "Demo" C.D.'s of his music?

Did those that had paid deposits get them back?

Let Stan rest in peace! Why bother now? I'm sure his family was trying after best effort to sort it out, but I would say that this is the risk with enterprises like this one-man show.

Jim

Long time and RIP for Stan

Likely a few customers parts didn’t get to owners, but likely many did as few wanting ever commented on the forum.

His family went to great lengths to help and finally Stan had willed lots of personal parts to the club’s museum. And many items he owned T wise were auctioned off too.

Link to Bill Howe’s email posted at the time:

https://search.app/uAsnh8XBUZzucsbc8

jiminbartow wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 7:22 pm

When Stan Howe passed away several years ago, he had a lot of carburetors in various states of repair with, I heard, parts all over his shop. Was everyone who had carburetors in his shop for repairs at the time of his passing, able to retrieve their carburetors? I understand he had a lot of rare carburetors of MTFCA members who, at the time, voiced their concerns on the forum on how they were going to go about getting their carburetors back. I never heard a followup on this.

I didn't get my Stromberg OF back. Not worried about it. Family had enough issues to deal with

It’s difficult to pick up the pieces after someone’s passing and return them to the rightful owners. After R V Anderson passed I was tasked with trying to pick up the pieces of his work and try to get everyone’s parts back to them. Most got their parts back some did not. I did the best I could given the circumstances. I’m sure the same was done after Stan’s passing. So much knowledge and ability is lost with the passing of these talented people.

R.I.P. Stan H.

He truly was one of the greats of this hobby, and numerous other endeavors. Mechanical genius, entertainer as an auctioneer and as a musician. A writer, including a couple novels. A kind hearted soul who went above and beyond to help others often.

I know that considerable effort was made to locate owners and return items he did not live long enough to repair for them. I would imagine a few people did not get theirs, that is almost always the case when a master craftsman expires with a lot of unfinished business. I know opportunities were made available by the family as well as through several close friends for people to reach back. Under the circumstances, there wasn't much more that could have been done.
I often sit back, and remember trading emails, having discussions on the forum, and have a few times on other forums mentioned his name in discussions about early carburetors. We were all blessed to have gotten to know Stan H however well as we did (I never got to meet him in person myself). We should all remember Stan H well.

Terry,
Yes, I have one of Stan's CD's.
He was a very talented guy and fun to hang out with...The stories he could tell!
Floyd

I did get two carbs back that Stan was getting to. I’m sorry that some may have not. Stan was a one of a kind character and true talent. I miss him.

Wondering where you been hiding out, Rob !

A couple of years before he passed, Stan called me said he was coming out to the Seattle area to visit his brother and take in a local swap meet. He also delivered a set of QC wirewheelsI had bought from him.

Stan and his brother stopped by and we sat in my car barn and talked most of the afternoon. I learned a lot of his background and his Auctioneering business, his music. He was a consummate machinist and his work showed the care and love for his work.

I think we all have collected misc carburetors over the years. Of course Stan eyed my stash and he wanted to know if I would sell any of them. Must have been 8 or 10 all brass and different manufactures. He looked over each one with trying to figure out their worth to him. Finally he asked what I wanted and I said let me think about it.

Stan wanted a ride in one of my vintage Ferrari's which I agreed to. While the Ferrari was outside and warming up Stan was checking it out. I went in my barn found a box big enough to put the Carbs in, then told his brother after we left for our ride to stash the carbs where Stan would not see them until he got back to Montana.

About a week later he called me and asked how much he owed me. I told him some day I would need a carb and I would take one in trade.

Over the next few years out of the blue Stan would call me and remind me he owed me a restored carburetor. I keep telling him maybe next year. Stan was an honorable man to his last breath.I miss the calls reminding me He owed me a carburetor, you know he still does and now at my 81 year in the not to distant future when ISee him, I will remind him!!
just sayin'
frontyboy

Stan's Brother was Len Howe which was my neighbor in Tacoma WA. I enjoyed listening to the two Montana boys talk about their years growing up. Len was a collector of small engines and Gibson Tractors. Got a chance to stop by Stan's shop in Montana. He gave me a tour of the shop. That man was master craftsman on all his projects. Sure do miss the two brothers that have passed away. Rest in Peace Stan and Len.

frontyboy wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2025 11:52 pm

A couple of years before he passed, Stan called me said he was coming out to the Seattle area to visit his brother and take in a local swap meet.


Stan wanted a ride in one of my vintage Ferrari's which I agreed to. While the Ferrari was outside and warming up Stan was checking it out. I went in my barn found a box big enough to put the Carbs in, then told his brother after we left for our ride to stash the carbs where Stan would not see them until he got back to Montana.

About a week later he called me and asked how much he owed me. I told him some day I would need a carb and I would take one in trade.

Over the next few years out of the blue Stan would call me and remind me he owed me a restored carburetor. I keep telling him maybe next year. Stan was an honorable man to his last breath.I miss the calls reminding me - -
just sayin'
frontyboy

Really nice story. Thank you for sharing that.

I travelled to Chikasha Swap Meet in 2010 and met several of the ol' guys now gone and Stan was one of them: Here he had just pulled in on the day before official opening of the swap meet and all the "parts vultures" crowsded immidiately around the trailer

(Another giant I met at that occation was this guy to the left - the other guy is David Hjortnæs:)

I had the great pleasure of talking with Stan on the phone several times when he was rebuilding a Holly G for me. After I received the carb. I continued to call just to hear the stories and talk a bit about many subjects one I really enjoyed was our conversations of a old radio program in the Midwest, it was a set up call to a unsuspecting person from a fictitious character Roy D Mercer. Every call lasted at least one hour and i enjoyed every minute and still missing them calls today! I did get the Holly G, still have it and will always have it to remember him by. May he be in the presence of the Lord our God forevermore.