Dick Moreland will be missed

Daran Summerton · 09-10-2016, 09:30 AM

He influenced me and was glad to know him.

Jim Wahl · 09-10-2016, 11:10 AM

Just got a call from "Big Al" Alan Caraway informing me that Dick Moreland -"The Maestro" - passed away on August 29. For those not in the racing community, Dick was the creator of the "Class of 65" U/SA Plymouth wagon (the one Dave "Reverend MoPar" Koopman now races) and several other U/SA efforts as well. No one really knows exactly how many National Records he has had his hand in, but the "Class of 65" alone has 32 of them. Clayton Wright's Plymouth also has numerous records along with others. I would dare say that Dick has had a hand in more National Records than anyone in the category.

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Dave Gantz · 09-10-2016, 11:59 AM

RIP, Dick. A very creative racer, for sure.
I was a good friend of the late Mike Smith. He owned Dick's '65 Plymouth wagon that Clayton Wright now owns (or at least did the last I heard).
Dick owned a '65 Dodge wagon that was named "Class of '65". The late Ray Valpreda owned that, too. I don't know if he named the Plymouth as such, too.

Clayton Wright · 09-10-2016, 12:07 PM

Dick was loved by both me and my family. He was my best friend for over 40 years. We had many racing and other experiences together and my life won't be the same without him. One of the things he use to say to me as we got older boy I wish I was 65 again. Great sense of humor and a wonderful man. Dick you are in Heaven now and I will see you again someday. God bless you and your family.
Clayton aka Butch

ss wannabee · 09-10-2016, 05:51 PM

Saw him race many times...certainly a master of that 273/Stromberg combo....

RIP Richard.....

Frank Castros · 09-10-2016, 09:38 PM

One of the legendary racers of the Land of NED, Rest in Peace.

Dave Ley · 09-10-2016, 10:01 PM

I was lucky enough to know Dick for well over 40 years. He had a V/SA Dodge Wagon with a slant six called the "Orange Crate" before he started his mastering the 273. Always a gentleman and a great sense of humor and I will miss him. RIP, Dick.

Ed Fernandez · 09-10-2016, 10:48 PM

It was always a pleasure to park near him and Clayton. Always had a great disposition and was a wealth of knowledge. RIP.

Bob Don · 09-11-2016, 07:54 AM

I am very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. He and I butted heads many times back in the day in U/SA (with him usually winning). He was a great guy and will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family.

Signman · 09-12-2016, 10:50 AM

My condolences to Mrs. Moreland and family.
Rest in Peace My Friend!!

Met Dickie and Clayton through Glen Hartzler a while back when Jerry Stein placed me in the seat of the Tomata Can. I was the bracket racer who hopped in the seat of the A car, we became friends and Dickie was one of my biggest supporters.

Dickie was very intelligent, a successful businessman and a total piece of work. His outside of the box thinking made him a many time national record holder and one of the most fum people to be around.
He more than inspired me in a few areas of thinking.............

The last few times I saw Dickie he wasn't getting around so good with all the walking required to be involved racing he switched careers to stamp collecting. When I spoke to him last winter he sounded as excited and interested as ever having a great time collecting stamps and all that's involved in any hobby one would get lost in.

Heard about this yesterday at Englishtown, mentioned it to Glen who said it was so sad Dickie has passed. I feel the loss but am not sad knowing that he lived a full life and stayed active to the end.
Something we all should appreciate.

09-10-2016, 09:30 AM	#1
Daran Summerton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Las Vegas nv Posts: 600 Likes: 18 Liked 66 Times in 37 Posts	Dick Moreland will be missed He influenced me and was glad to know him. __________________ 72 cutlass

09-10-2016, 11:10 AM	#2
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,843 Likes: 663 Liked 682 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed Just got a call from "Big Al" Alan Caraway informing me that Dick Moreland -"The Maestro" - passed away on August 29. For those not in the racing community, Dick was the creator of the "Class of 65" U/SA Plymouth wagon (the one Dave "Reverend MoPar" Koopman now races) and several other U/SA efforts as well. No one really knows exactly how many National Records he has had his hand in, but the "Class of 65" alone has 32 of them. Clayton Wright's Plymouth also has numerous records along with others. I would dare say that Dick has had a hand in more National Records than anyone in the category. . __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

09-10-2016, 11:59 AM	#3
Dave Gantz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Verrry South Jersey Posts: 537 Likes: 134 Liked 251 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed RIP, Dick. A very creative racer, for sure. I was a good friend of the late Mike Smith. He owned Dick's '65 Plymouth wagon that Clayton Wright now owns (or at least did the last I heard). Dick owned a '65 Dodge wagon that was named "Class of '65". The late Ray Valpreda owned that, too. I don't know if he named the Plymouth as such, too.

09-10-2016, 12:07 PM	#4
Clayton Wright Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 39 Likes: 84 Liked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed Dick was loved by both me and my family. He was my best friend for over 40 years. We had many racing and other experiences together and my life won't be the same without him. One of the things he use to say to me as we got older boy I wish I was 65 again. Great sense of humor and a wonderful man. Dick you are in Heaven now and I will see you again someday. God bless you and your family. Clayton aka Butch __________________ Clayton Wright 1980 STK

09-10-2016, 05:51 PM	#5
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed Saw him race many times...certainly a master of that 273/Stromberg combo.... RIP Richard.....

09-10-2016, 09:38 PM	#6
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,933 Likes: 2,511 Liked 2,552 Times in 934 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed One of the legendary racers of the Land of NED, Rest in Peace.

09-10-2016, 10:01 PM	#7
Dave Ley Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Jersey , The 51st. State Posts: 424 Likes: 1,759 Liked 241 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed I was lucky enough to know Dick for well over 40 years. He had a V/SA Dodge Wagon with a slant six called the "Orange Crate" before he started his mastering the 273. Always a gentleman and a great sense of humor and I will miss him. RIP, Dick. __________________ Dave Ley

09-10-2016, 10:48 PM	#8
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed It was always a pleasure to park near him and Clayton. Always had a great disposition and was a wealth of knowledge. RIP. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

09-11-2016, 07:54 AM	#9
Bob Don VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Greater Boston Posts: 1,491 Likes: 1,081 Liked 882 Times in 188 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed I am very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. He and I butted heads many times back in the day in U/SA (with him usually winning). He was a great guy and will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family. __________________ Bob Don 128 SS

09-12-2016, 10:50 AM	#10
Signman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 535 Likes: 22 Liked 269 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Dick Moreland will be missed My condolences to Mrs. Moreland and family. Rest in Peace My Friend!! Met Dickie and Clayton through Glen Hartzler a while back when Jerry Stein placed me in the seat of the Tomata Can. I was the bracket racer who hopped in the seat of the A car, we became friends and Dickie was one of my biggest supporters. Dickie was very intelligent, a successful businessman and a total piece of work. His outside of the box thinking made him a many time national record holder and one of the most fum people to be around. He more than inspired me in a few areas of thinking............. The last few times I saw Dickie he wasn't getting around so good with all the walking required to be involved racing he switched careers to stamp collecting. When I spoke to him last winter he sounded as excited and interested as ever having a great time collecting stamps and all that's involved in any hobby one would get lost in. Heard about this yesterday at Englishtown, mentioned it to Glen who said it was so sad Dickie has passed. I feel the loss but am not sad knowing that he lived a full life and stayed active to the end. Something we all should appreciate. __________________ Frank Ferrucci I/SA 1271 "Be Thankful for the Gifts You are Given"