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We met Rich & Barbara at one of the Vette shows in Illinois several years ago, and they graciously spent a good amount time showing us all the mods they made to their latest C1.
He was a true creative Corvette genius.
Sorry to hear of his passing. R.I.P. RICH!
Last edited by Plasticman; Jul 23, 2020 at 01:55 PM.
I was shocked and saddened when I heard this news today. Richie and I grew up in the same small town in Rhode Island and raced go-karts together as teenagers. These were not toys but pretty state of the art at the time. He was one of the best drivers in the circuit at that time and I was glad that we raced in different classes because he was so consistent and smooth on the track. After he went to college and I went into the Marine Corps we didn't see each other again until several years back when Corvettes brought us together again. I was not surprised to see the quality of workmanship that he put into every project that he undertook. His dad was a wonderful man who was a tremendous craftsman who worked in a body shop for years. He could build anything. We met Richie and Barbara at Carlisle a few years ago and were communicating via e-mail ever since. I will surely miss his knowledge and passion he always gladly passed on when I had a question.
RIP my friend
Denny Langlois
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10, '14-'15
I am saddened by this news. Rich and Barb are great people. I will miss our Saturday night Carlisle dinners which all started at Rillo's in Carlisle. Sadly they went out of business years back. I have know Rich and Barb for a long time and like many others I was helped by Rich in regards to my Corvette.
My Sympathies to Barb and The family.
Below is a pic of I think one of our last Saturday Night Dinners.
Rich And Barb are pictured at the far right at the end of the table. Also Picture are Jim & Janet, Rich and Barbs Good friends.
I traded many Emails with Rich. He helped me lots of times over a period of years. I knew something must be up when he sold the cars. I guess he still had a C7.
Sad news, Rich was an amazing guy. Saw him often Monday's at Mark's Cruise Night. He was always so helpful with anything related to Corvettes and more.
He worked with our group (The Posse) to schedule and spread the word for the annual Corvette night at Marks Cruise which consistently draws over 300 Corvettes every year - on a Monday night! He also always made sure to visit our group at Carlisle every year. Oh, and he built some amazing Corvettes! RIP Rich!
I "met" Rich online in this Forum way back in late 2005.
At the time, I was researching the feasibility of building my project car Prodigy. Amongst the many replies I received,( mostly negative ),chimed in this man Rich Lagasse.
long story made short he became my mentor during my 7 year build. His detailed and informed responses to my questions and challenges were nothing short of amazing. I mean, who spends a heap of time and effort helping a bloke from the other side of the world you don't know, or have ever met.
To this day, I don't know whether he even liked what I built, but it sure didn't stop him from pulling out all stops to help me.
I wanted to meet and thank this wonderful man for all he had done for me, so I jumped on a plane and went to meet him at Carlisle back in 2016.
When we met, he was exactly as I thought he would be, and his lovely wife Barb was another beautiful person.
I feel very fortunate to have met this man. Like many of you, I have lost a good friend, and the Corvette community has lost the ultimate mentor.
RIP Rich, I'll never forget you Mate, and will be forever grateful that our paths crossed.
Our condolences to the Lagasse family. The Corvette world has lost a great mentor and enthusiast. Would see and talk to Rich and Barb at a lot of shows and Carlisle. Super people. RIP Rich.
I met Rich at Corvettes at Carlisle in 1999. We spoke often, and I saw him again in 2004. He was a real ''CORVETTE ENTHUSIAST’’, and always shared his knowledge and passion with anyone who wanted to listen. Best to Barbara and family
I have just heard about the passing of Rich...total shock. The term "Gentleman" instantly comes to my mind...as he certainly was. The Corvette hobby has lost a good man and those of us that knew him..have lost a good friend....Prayers to Barb......lost for words
I too corresponded on this forum with Rich, he was helpful to the Nth degree, always willing to share his knowledge. So very sad to learn about his passing. Prayers to his family. Enjoy your lives, enjoy your friends, we never know when it's our time.
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