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Bradleyracing86 · 10/4/10, 3:11 PM

Friday, October 1, 2010

Allen Smith Ruppenthal

Allen Smith Ruppenthal, 70, Henderson, died at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, at his home.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and retired from Accuride Corporation after 15 years of service.

He was an avid dirt track race fan, and built and raced cars from the time he was 14 years of age.

For the past 20 years, he built, raced and sold mini sprint race cars under the corporate name, Economy Racing Components Inc., commonly known as ERC.

He also assisted in starting the Midwest Mini Sprint Association. He had five house cars racing in the association this racing season. Most of the cars that he built and sold can be seen racing at dirt tracks primarily in the Midwest, as well as all over the United States. He was fondly known by many of the drivers, especially the younger ones, as Mr. ERC. Nothing pleased him more than working in his race car shop. He also enjoyed mentoring teenagers and inexperienced drivers, helping them learn the tricks of the trade and coaching them in the skill of racing.

He loved his home and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Goodwyn and Ethel Ruppenthal of Montgomery, Ala.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Joan Ruppenthal; two daughters, Kathy Ruppenthal of Montgomery, Ala., and Susan Caswell of Opelika, Ala.; two stepchildren, W. Fred Reiter and his wife, Darlene, of Nashville, and Kathy Wolfe and her husband, Randy, of Beaverton, Ore.; one brother, Robert Lamar Ruppenthal and his wife, Linda, of Pittsboro, N.C.; four grandchildren, Ty Cargile, Katy, Ryan and Clay Caswell, all of Alabama; five stepgrandchildren, Jack, Alex and Cece Reiter of Nashville, and Mary Scott and Nicholas Wolfe of Beaverton.

A memorial celebration will be held at First United Methodist Church in Henderson at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. that day in the Gathering Area of First United Methodist Church.

Tapp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First United Methodist Church or St. Anthony's Hospice.

10/4/10, 3:11 PM	#9 Re: Rest in peace old freind
Bradleyracing86 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,621	Friday, October 1, 2010 Allen Smith Ruppenthal Allen Smith Ruppenthal, 70, Henderson, died at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, at his home. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and retired from Accuride Corporation after 15 years of service. He was an avid dirt track race fan, and built and raced cars from the time he was 14 years of age. For the past 20 years, he built, raced and sold mini sprint race cars under the corporate name, Economy Racing Components Inc., commonly known as ERC. He also assisted in starting the Midwest Mini Sprint Association. He had five house cars racing in the association this racing season. Most of the cars that he built and sold can be seen racing at dirt tracks primarily in the Midwest, as well as all over the United States. He was fondly known by many of the drivers, especially the younger ones, as Mr. ERC. Nothing pleased him more than working in his race car shop. He also enjoyed mentoring teenagers and inexperienced drivers, helping them learn the tricks of the trade and coaching them in the skill of racing. He loved his home and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Goodwyn and Ethel Ruppenthal of Montgomery, Ala. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Joan Ruppenthal; two daughters, Kathy Ruppenthal of Montgomery, Ala., and Susan Caswell of Opelika, Ala.; two stepchildren, W. Fred Reiter and his wife, Darlene, of Nashville, and Kathy Wolfe and her husband, Randy, of Beaverton, Ore.; one brother, Robert Lamar Ruppenthal and his wife, Linda, of Pittsboro, N.C.; four grandchildren, Ty Cargile, Katy, Ryan and Clay Caswell, all of Alabama; five stepgrandchildren, Jack, Alex and Cece Reiter of Nashville, and Mary Scott and Nicholas Wolfe of Beaverton. A memorial celebration will be held at First United Methodist Church in Henderson at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 23. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. that day in the Gathering Area of First United Methodist Church. Tapp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First United Methodist Church or St. Anthony's Hospice.