Rodney Howell - passed away.

F6T · 26-07-2010, 12:14 PM

I have just been informed of the tragic passing of Rodney Howell yesterday (25.7.10) whilst diving / fishing with friends.

It is business as usual at Howelll Automotive for the time being.

Thoughts are with Vera and his Family.

Such a terrible loss of a wonderful bloke and friend who I will miss terribly.

Rest in peace mate.

tex · 26-07-2010, 12:24 PM

Shocking bloody news, very very sorry to hear this, I only spent a little bit of time in Rodneys workshop, and the man proved to be very friendly, genuinely interested - and very passionate about his cars, especially the Fords.

RIP

My sincere condolances to his family, work colleagues and all his friends.

texas

F6T · 26-07-2010, 03:21 PM

News article:-

http://www.themercury.com.au/article...ania-news.html

Jack91 · 26-07-2010, 03:33 PM

Sad news, I only went to his shop once for something small even though he was flat out still took the time to give advice and answer all my questions. Top bloke.

**TICK4D-TAS** · 26-07-2010, 04:01 PM

I found out about this late yesterday. To be honest I am still in shock and a part of me just doesn’t want to believe that it has happened.

Rodney and Vera have been long term supporters of our club for which we thank them very much. My personal and customer related dealings with Rodney and his staff go back nearly ten years, through 3 workshop locations and 3 of my cars.
Rodney was the type of person that would always make time for you and go out of his way to make sure that everything is fixed correctly and that you were 110% happy.

My sincere condolences to Vera and family, also to the guys in the workshop. We have lost a great friend and personality for the automotive industry.

RIP Rodney.

HSE2 · 26-07-2010, 04:11 PM

My condolences to Vera and family. Sadly missed not forgotten.

Geez Louise · 26-07-2010, 04:24 PM

My condolences to his family.

I personally did not know him, but have heard good things about him in the past from people who have met him. Another gentle, caring soul has been taken much too soon.

R.I.P.

yoshiboldor · 26-07-2010, 07:35 PM

I have known Rodney and Vera since meeting them in WA at the 1992 MX Des Nations event. (Rodney helped me fix the wiring on the dodgy BMW hire bike with nothing but a manicure kit.)
Even since Rod has done all my servicing and I have considered Rod and Vera to be good friends. Because of Rods awesome service and always being happy to give advice I have recommended many people to Howel Automotive. They are a class act and a very respected performance car centre in Hobart, they were the first serious outfit with a dyno service.
I had no idea and have only just seen the news report. I don't know the detail but I am also a keen diver an know how easy it is for things to go wrong, particularly when you are in hunting mode. But Rodney sure was a goer and use to been a very keen motorcross competitor.
I am in shock but thinking of his family and colleagues.
Our best wished to all in this difficult time.

XR8AUII-TAS · 26-07-2010, 08:17 PM

Our sincere condolences to Vera and family guys in the workshop and friends , Rodney you will never ever be forgotten RIP Rodney
Nathan and Mel DVL888 DVL666

EATHSV · 27-07-2010, 05:53 AM

I only met Rodney once and for a very short amount of time while helping tim with his car. As mentioned above he was flatout with other things but still took time out of his weekend to help out a mate. I was very impressed and had a lot respect for the man.

My thoughts are with Vera and his Family.

Rest in peace Rodney.

TadKa · 27-07-2010, 04:36 PM

RIP Rodney. Thoughts are with Vera, Family and Staff.
A top bloke who always made time. Only a couple of weeks ago when the guys didn't get onto fixing up a misfire for me he offered me his own car for the night.

ianxy351 · 27-07-2010, 05:30 PM

I too had great service and support from Rodney, Vera and their staff. I only found out about Rodney's sudden death today. My condolences to Vera, family and staff at Howell Automotive.

RIP Rodney

Ian

gs1973 · 27-07-2010, 08:42 PM

Horrible news indeed. A great bloke taken too soon, Condolences to his wife Vera and family.

Steve.

F6T · 29-07-2010, 06:23 PM

There will be a funeral service tomorrow (30 July) at 12:00 noon at the St Mary's Cathedral on Harrington St, Hobart if anyone was interested in attending.

**TICK4D-TAS** · 29-07-2010, 06:41 PM

I will be heading down with another club member Mike. Also meeting a couple of the Hobart ones there.

GTENVY · 29-07-2010, 06:49 PM

Can't believe this happened, wasn't going to be long and I was going to be back in the state, was looking forward to having Rodney work on the Sprint. Many thanks to Tim for informing me.

Condolences to Vera and Family, Rodney you will be sorely missed.

Rich and Jen

TS50 · 30-07-2010, 12:19 PM

I have only just heard the news, and cant believe it
taken from here way to early
condolences to Rodneys family

F6T · 30-07-2010, 02:37 PM

There was a huge turnout of people at the funeral today. Cathedral was packed to the rafters and there must have been a couple hundred outside.

A testment to how well he was respected, admired and will be missed.

It has really hit me like a ton of bricks today how much I'm going to miss him.

**TICK4D-TAS** · 30-07-2010, 07:33 PM

Totally agree with what you have said Mike. The man was very well respected in the industry.

I was having quite a lot of memorys coming back to me whilst i was driving back to Launceston. Quite a few conversations that i will now cherish.

F6T · 02-08-2010, 03:20 PM

I didn't see yesterdays paper but apparently, there was an article in the about how big the turn out was to Rodney's funeral. One of the biggest in Hobart in a long time. There is a link here if anyone is interested:-

http://www.themercury.com.au/article...ania-news.html

600 seated inside, a further 100 at the rear of the cathedral and another 150 outside (but I reckon there would have been more from the head count I did).

Says alot about someone......I hope I have a turn out like that.