Russ Thompson has passed away.

[weendoggy]

I'm saddened to share the news that Russ Thompson passed away. He will be missed by us all and all those who knew him personally. I first met him 24yrs ago while building my Cobra. Many trips and good times since. Lin has a big hole in her heart right now and I pray for her strength to carry on. He will be missed. :(

[rich grsc]

My sincere sympathy to his family. I know he will be missed

[maclonchas]

Oh my what a loss for the community and his family. A really nice person and a true compassionate individual.

[Papa]

My thoughts are with his family.

[bil1024]

A loss for us all, prayers for the family

[jrcuz]

Sad news, prayers for his family.

[brewha]

Extremely sorry to hear…I’ve communicated with Russ several times and he was always pleasant to talk to. He always had a story…Many of us have bought parts from him and he will missed by this community.

[David Hodgkins]

I met Russ in April 2005 at my 1st FFR show at Knotts Berry Farm. He built one of the nicest Type 65's I've ever seen. Always a kind man, I will miss him.

:(

[JohnnyB]

The impact Russ made on the Factory Five community will not be forgotten.
My thoughts go out to his family.

[Geoff H]

Sad news indeed. My heart goes out to his family and to all of you who lost a friend today. I only knew him through a purchase but he seemed like someone I could sit down and have a beer with.

[mgk172]

Very sorry to hear. In my few conversations with him, I could tell he was a genuine person.

Farewell Russ - you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Blitzboy54]

This is terrible news. My sincere condolences to his family.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Wow. What a punch in the gut and tremendous loss for our community. His passing leaves a big hole and he will truly be missed. My sincere condolences to his family.

Jeff

[2FAST4U]

Just heard the sad news from Jeff Collins. Russ was a fabulous person, innovator and all around nice guy. Raiap Russ

[Alec]

Very sad.

[Rsnake]

What a loss! I had met Russ a few times and he will be missed. God speed my friend.

[MPTech]

Very sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace Russ, you touched many of us with your contributions and you will be missed.

[Wayne r mckee]

Very sorry to hear of his passing! Prayers to his family!

[JohnK]

I'm so saddened to hear this. Russ was a wonderful guy and a real treasure to the FFR community.

[RJD]

Rest in peace Russ.

[facultyofmusic]

Dear Russ, thank you. Your roadster was the first one I've ever seen in person and you were so kind and helpful in showing me everything around your shop. I carry on in my roadster your turn signal and trunk mod proudly and I'll be telling many generations about your great work. You will be missed. God bless your family.

[ydousurf]

I am so, so sad to hear this news! Russ was such a class act! I too spoke with him on many occassions and he always took his time to answer any questions I had. He gave me the inspiration to challenge myself and to take my build to a whole new level. He advised me on many of the choices I made in the initial phases of my journey.

Russ, everything you envisioned and created for all of us builders, all these parts, they're top notch! They were designed and created with such passion and heart! They add beauty and elegance, and each one is a perfect example of when form meets funtion! I can honestly say that I am so very proud to have your amazing upgrades in my roadster.

Thank you Russ! Thanks for all the guidance and advice you gave to me personally. Even sending me that additional piece of aluminum to add a top to your drop-trunk mod.

I want to send my sincere condolences to his family and friends too.

Russ, I really hope you are traveling the celestial highway of happiness! One that can take you anywhere and at anytime you desire to go. No limits posted! Godspeed and RIP Russ! You will be surely missed!

Doug

[Gumball]

Godspeed, Russ.

[nucjd19]

I am really sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. What a loss to his family, his friends and the whole community.

[edwardb]

Very story to hear this. I communicated with him several times via email and phone. Always such a gentleman and wanted me to be satisfied with his products and service. A big loss to to his family and our community. My sincerest condolences.

[tonywy]

Sad news, sad day for all. My condolences to the family.

[Rockman]

My condolences to Russ' family, . . . it was always a pleasure to have those extended telephone conversations with Russ.

[KDubU]

I am saddened to read of Russ’s passing and my thoughts are with his family. Truly a wonderful person and a great asset to the community.

[GoDadGo]

I never had the honor to meet him; however, I am sure that today he is in Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Truly a sad day for his family, friends and the F5 community.

[klawrence]

Sad to hear, had a few conversations with him when building my coupe. Just from those few conversations one could tell he was genuine and a good guy. Sad to hear.

[Al_C]

Russ was a pillar of our community. I, too, am saddened by this news. I had the chance to meet him in person a few years ago at his shop. I was fascinated by his history with hang gliders and his shop was a wonderful place. He and his wife were so welcoming! My condolences to his family.

[FredG]

This is so sad and a huge loss for our community.

[Lidodrip]

So sorry to hear this, such a loss, clearly he had such a positive impact on so many. The world needs more people like Russ. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

James

[Indy Shu]

So sad to hear. Prayers to Russ and his family. RIP

[luvaz]

My condolences and prayers to Russ’ wife, family and friends. He was a pillar of the FFR community and a true gentleman that I am grateful to have met.
Will

[Badfish]

Sad to read this, I bet most of us run at least one, if not several, of Russ’s parts on our cars; and I’m sure I shook his hand at an FFR open house or two back in the early days. Will pray for him and his family.

[fact5racer]

Let me tell you about how great a guy Russ was: about 25-26 years ago in the early FFR days I bought kit #100 and shortly thereafter I flew to Odessa, in the Ukraine and met my wife. She then arrived in New Hampshire and shortly after that my sister in Berkley California wanted to meet her so Speaking little English, with me not being able to go, she flew out to spend a week with my sister. Upon arriving to my sister's house, she found a note saying, "I had to leave for a while, I'll be back this evening". My wife was so scared and called me not knowing what to do or where to go. I knew Russ lived nearby and had talked with him and I think met him before this moment with us both being of the early stage 1 Daytona coupes gang, so I called him. He was so nice that he drove to my sister's house, introduced himself to my wife Tatiana, and then not only took her out to lunch but also gave her a tour of the area keeping her busy till my sister arrived home. When the picture of Russ that FFR posted a little earlier I showed my wife and she immediately said "PLEASE DON"T TELL ME!" This by far one of, if not THE worst part of getting old. What a GREAT guy!

[Eldrik]

A sad loss :(

[GeneralGarage]

Sorry to hear, talked to him a couple times he was a really nice person.

[TBull]

So sad to hear this. Russ was great to work with and always seemed to have an upbeat way about him. He'll truly be missed. Like so many others, prayers for his family during these trying times.

[Mister Val]

This is really sad news. I just exchanged e-mails with Russ 11 months ago... never thought that he wouldn't be here a year from then. We never know how much time we have left. My heart goes out to his family. He'll be missed.

[kbmyers]

I'm sorry to hear this. I had just received parts from him about two weeks ago. He was really helpful and kept me in the loop for every stage of his process. Hard to find people who really care about what they do. My condolences to his family

[Fordman114]

My thoughts and prayers to his family.

[UpNorth]

R.I.P. Mr. Thompson. Fine gentleman.

[David_L]

So sorry to hear this.. I just talked to him a couple of weeks ago about my Turn Signal! What an great guy and such a loss.

[jimfil61B]

He was a great guy to deal with and will be missed in the roadster community, Rest in peace Russ.

[Jeff_J.]

I spoke with him a month ago, so sorry to hear of his passing, he will be missed.

[Jeff_J.]

I spoke with him a month ago a class act guy, so sorry to hear of his passing, he will be missed.

[NiceGuyEddie]

I met Russ in April 2005 at my 1st FFR show at Knotts Berry Farm. He built one of the nicest Type 65's I've ever seen. Always a kind man, I will miss him.

:(

Me too, including it being my first show as well.

He was a great engineer, and I see even a lot of the newest builds still use his gas pedal.