When I first came to IOW (USAC Fans at the time) the first person I wanted to meet was Morty. Because his niceness came across in what he posted here and I knew he would be a great person to know. I actually met Danny Burton first at Putnamville and he introduced me to John Hoover, but at the next race at the Terre Haute Action Track, Morty invited me to meet him and some others by the rabbit building, behind the ticket booth. That day I met Morty, Jack Kraemer, Steve Turner, Brent Goodnight, Koonzee and I think Merrillville Al. What I learned that day is that Randy Mortland was the real deal. A genuinely friendly guy, who loved racing, loved the Action Track and was funny as hell, too. And the entire time I knew him, none of that ever changed, because that's just who he was.
Today, when I got the news, I was on the road, driving to Smackdown. For a little while, it was just so sad, because someone I always looked forward to seeing when I went to the track, I would never get to see again. But the more I thought about it, the more I knew that this wasn't exactly right. Because as long as Drew is still around, a part of Morty still will be with us, too. Because he raised a son that's turned out to be a good man, very much like his father. And also, because he was sick, Morty wasn't going to get to see Smackdown. I knew tonight, he'd be watching it with Jack. RIP Morty. We lost one of our best today.
Jerry
A man is about as big as the things that make him angry.
Originally Posted by Tony Barhorst:
I had never met Mort but always enjoyed his posts here. One of the good guys along with Dwight Clock and others
gone too soon. #Godspeed to both.
I received the news yesterday afternoon at the Smackdown. It is always difficult to understand why good people are taken from us way too early. Morty was one of those good guys. I didn't know him well but whenever I did see him it was always special.
Sitting in the stands last night watching the race it wasn't quite the same. Morty had been battling the big C and in talking to Andrew he was battling it hard. My hope is that Jack and Dwight were part of the welcoming committee yesterday when Morty arrived.
To Debbie and Drew you have my heartfelt sympathy. Rest in peace Morty! Gone but certainly not forgotten.
Mike
Be nice to people on the way up. You might need them on the way down. Jimmy Durante
Thanks for posting that, Andrew. Not only did so many of us here lose a friend and great guy, it's obvious East Alton is mourning the loss of a real pillar of their community.
Jerry
A man is about as big as the things that make him angry.
