Uncle Buck
 

As reported on a previous post on here but, it's with deep regret to report that Ronnie "Uncle Buck" Harple passed away earlier this morning from his battle with pancreatic cancer.

For many of you who did not know him, you missed meeting a great man and a great cook! As the crew chief for George Donhauser, Uncle Buck was a true gentlemen in every aspect and was always there to lend a helping hand even after he was diagnosed. The stories that he would share with the group were priceless and you sometimes left shaking your head as to how they didn't end up behind bars.

The one thing Uncle Buck was known for was his cooking and making sure everyone was always full before they called it a night at the track. From the annual "Pig Roast" at the MASGA Event at Cecil County to their Nightly Cookouts at the NHRA / IHRA Events everyone always knew where to go for a Nice Cold Beer and a Great Meal! You will be missed good friend and the track just won't be the same without you! So this weekend at Virginia raise a beer wherever you maybe and honor the man known as "Uncle Buck" to all of us!

The Keisters - Rob, Bob & Beth
1194 & 1198 S/G / S/C

Re: Uncle Buck
 

R.I.P. my friend, hope you are putting on a heck of a hog roast going on up there right now for everybody.

Re: Uncle Buck
 

Our sincere Condolences, and prayers are with George & Linda.


Ken & Debbie Moses

Re: Uncle Buck
 

One of the best to call a true freind. Our deepest condolances. To george linda and family. Rip ronnie......


Donnie jonathan nancy jackie

Re: Uncle Buck
 

R.I.P. buddy..Have a few Bloody Mary's and White Russians while your waiting for the rest of us...Our condolences to George, Linda and Ashlee Donhauser. Sharon & Bruce

Re: Uncle Buck
 

What a shock it was to get that dreaded call this morning from George,even tho we all knew it was coming.
Ron was one of those special people that if you were fortunate enough to have known,you will never forget.
Uncle Buck will remain in my heart and thoughts forever.

Re: Uncle Buck
 

I was never lucky enough or smart enough to have joined in the fun and festivities shared by the MASGA racers. I heard many times of the fun and good times these racers shared and heard about Uncle Bucks cooking and hospitality many times. I know most of the racers in this group and all are great guys and the best racers in the country.....I am very sorry to hear about Ron, "Uncle Buck" this morning from Matt Schurman and offer my sincere condolences to his many friends and family.......

We are losing way to many good guys.....

Re: Uncle Buck
 

A Service for Ron (uncle buck) will be this Saturday April 21st at Schimunek Funeral Homes 610 Macphail Road Bel Air,MD starting at 11AM .Followed by a celebration of his life at the Bel Air Moose Lodge 310 East Jarrettsville Road Forest Hill ,MD 21050 The family has requested in lieu of flowers,send a donation to the Pancriatic Cancer Alliance Network or to the Bel Air Moose Lodge. We have truely lost a very special person that has touched all of our hearts and lives.

Re: Uncle Buck
 

Our condolences to George & Linda, Ronnie's family and friends. We only new Uncle Buck for a short time. He was very willing to talk about his cooking methods. He and George always made sure everyone had plenty to eat and drink.

RIP Ronnie (Uncle Buck)!

Sam & Chris

Re: Uncle Buck
 

Very sad news - Uncle Buck you will be sorely missed!
Our thoughts & prayers are with you Linda, George, and Ron's family as well as
extended family.

Lynn & Tom

Re: Uncle Buck
 

I don't think I ever met a crew that entered the gate, as ready/prepared to have fun as they were. And had fun they did, and shared that fun with everyone around. UB amazed me with his preparation for the weekend. I would like to share one memory. At an event, I was parked close to them and was invited over later on. During the day we were talking in their pit area, and buck was showing me what he had brought to cook. A few turkey's and there was a large commercial cooking pot (probably 5 gallons or more). I said are you going to deep fry the turkey. He said "look inside", I lifted the top and it was completely full with shrimp on ice with spices/vinegar sprinkled in and ready for some heat. He said, "you just put it on the burner" I always tell that UB story when folks talk about eating at the races. Can't imagine what George is feeling, but I am thinking of you both

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Uncle Buck
 

It's not very often you come across a genuine human being like Uncle Buck and to be able to call you my friend was an honor. Condolences to everyone who knew him. You were taken from us way to early. You will truly be missed my friend and we'll never forget you.
Iggie, Carol, and Amanda

Re: Uncle Buck
 

My condolences to George & Linda, Uncle Buck's family and friends. A true gentleman in life.

Pat I.

Re: Uncle Buck
 

Eric Reiff wanted me to share this picture with everyone. Uncle Buck doing what he did best.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...819011957a.jpg

Anybody who never got a chance to party with him surely missed out. He was one of a kind. I remember once just going over to say hi at the first race of the year with Rob Keister. We swore we were just going to say hi but an hour later and 1 or 3 Miller Lites later we got back to the trailer--just in time to see Don finish up working on the car and load it up...ooops. Great timing, least we brought him a beer back :P

Re: Uncle Buck
 

I only had the pleasure of knowing Ronnie Harple for the last 8 or 9 years but long enough to know he was a very special person that I feel honored to have had as a friend. I never heard him have a bad word to say about anyone, always laughing and always happy to see you whenever or wherever you showed up. When things didn’t go as planned on the track, he was always there to put a positive spin on it and re-assure you that next time, that .001 race you just came up on the short end of will go your way. As we all know, his culinary skills were nothing short of amazing and I’m sure even Emeril could have learned quite a bit from Uncle Buck. The creations he could whip together on that Weber grille with “Lumpy” charcoal would absolutely blow away what most others could only try to do in their home kitchens. The chemistry between Ronnie and George was special. Being around those guys after a tough day on the track always took the edge off and reminded you that the real reason we are all there is to have FUN. I’m sure Ronnie would want us all to keep that in mind as we start another new season.
Our deepest condolences to his family, the Donhauser family and a big Thank You to Nancy for keeping us informed through it all. Godspeed Uncle Buck, you’ll never be forgotten.
-Don, Beth, Donnie, Tim, Jeff & Corey Bangs

Re: Uncle Buck
 

Everyones uncle, "Uncle Buck" will be sorely missed ! Anyone that has ever had the pleasure of one of your cook outs knows how passionate he was with his meals , Always greeted with a smile and a " wanna BEER " ? George and Linda , we all are feeling your sorrow , just remember how many good years we enjoyed each others company . Jim Fordyce

Re: Uncle Buck
 

Our Sincerest Condolences. Buck was truly a great person to be around. I always knew where he was in the pits with his laughing and hollering...then he got even louder when we turned the car off! :)

God speed old friend...

Gary & Tim Sheehan

Re: Uncle Buck
 

A True testament to how many people Uncle Buck either knew or touched in some sort of way. The Memorial today in Bel Air, Md had more then 500 people show up to say good-bye to a great man! I don't know an official count but, 500 people maybe too low. An official at the funeral home told us that he's never seen sooo many people show up for a funeral / memorial in all his time there. He told me even high ranking government officials didn't have this many people show up. Tell's you how much of a man that Ronnie was too many people and how all your heard today was "He was like a dad or uncle or brother to me". He will be truly missed on and off the track! God Speed Ronnie...God Speed!

Re: Uncle Buck
 

Besides being an outstanding Chef, he was an outstanding person. R.I.P.