DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Heard the news last night, popped back to add to the condolences. I got to know Chris through DDK, he helped me out with a few small things either I couldn't do myself, or others were unwilling to look at. He had a huge knowledge and passion for engineering; something we shared. His departure leaves a big hole in the ever-decreasing community of people willing to design, develop and create their own solutions

Oh my! Coming on the heels of my own mother's death just chokes me up. Chris was indeed a great fellow, and a very valued resource in a world filled with misinformation. His passing is very unfortunate, and my most sincere condolences to his family and close friends. RIP Chris, you will be long remembered.

If it wasn’t for Chris I would’ve sent my 911T to auction, looking back through it’s history it had been to quite a few indies, some big name ones. When I bought it again I sent it to an indie who assured me it was sorted, it wasn’t it went back more money, again i was told it was sorted by their engine specialist.
It wasn’t. I then decided I couldn’t do any worse. Well after hour after hour I could do no better. Then I found this forum and was introduced to Chris, within 30 seconds of the engine hood opening he had spotted the problem. I will always be grateful to him, I love the car and to day it’s in the garage and will remain so.

RIP

Roy

From the fuel pump thread:

Nine One One wrote:the info that Chris originally supplied to the thread
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52070&p=453965&hili ... mp#p453965

I'm missing Chris already.
Used to be able to just phone him up and get that kind of info - years of experience, plus serious engineering thought, freely shared.
Where else can you get that?

inaglasshouse wrote:From the fuel pump thread:

Nine One One wrote:the info that Chris originally supplied to the thread
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52070&p=453965&hili ... mp#p453965

I'm missing Chris already.
Used to be able to just phone him up and get that kind of info - years of experience, plus serious engineering thought, freely shared.
Where else can you get that?

That is exactly one of the projects he helped me through when converting my SC engine in the 914 from CIS to carbs. And then there was the steering rack, and the poor connection on my MSD loom....

It is very sad to think that Chris felt he had few friends when there are so many nice words and memories shared here. We chaps must take more notice of when things don’t feel quite right with our friends, share our concerns with others and do better at keeping in touch.

My heart goes out to you Chris. To feel so desperate, either through illness or loneliness, that you decide to take your own life is just so very sad. I hope that you have found peace.

I never met Chris but he helped me with advice and source parts on many occasions.
I sincerely hope this is an end to all his turmoil and problems but my heart goes out to everybody left behind.
RIP Chris

Sorry to hear this sad news , i met him numerous times rip my friend. x

jonny

He helped me out too with some lightweight parts. I was blown away by his knowledge and unique character. One thing for sure, he was utterly unique in a wonderful way and totally irreplaceable. Thanks Chris for your help and RIP

Having seen this very sad news a few days ago I felt that I wanted to take stock before adding my thoughts.

I am shocked and saddened. He was a special guy as many have testified. So clearly knowledgeable and untiringly helpful. When “fetuhoe” shared his knowledge and thoughts on DDK about how to address this or that technical dilemma it was always a delight to read, even if some of it was over my head! As “veryporky” says ‘he was utterly unique in a wonderful way and totally irreplaceable’.

I first met Chris about 6 years ago when he was, I think, on the Enviro Strip (?) stand at Race Retro, I was immediately impressed and a while later visited Fennlane, It was a bit of a culture shock, organised chaos - many have made reference to that “office”. From that day forward if I needed Porsche parts, help or advice there was only one person I ever needed (or wanted) to go to, a phone call or personal visit invariable ended up in a protracted conversation, often darting off on a tangent to discuss other things, usually Porsche related, but not necessarily, or to look at a newly designed or manufactured part that had just arrived. He was always so interesting to listen to that it could be difficult to steer the conversation back to the reason for the visit or phone call!

He was immensely helpful in the development of my rally car with parts and advice and I think my task would have been far more difficult and expensive without his support. I am currently getting the car ready for the first event of the season and whilst doing so it is very difficult to not think about Chris and reflect on those 6 years. I considered him more a friend, not just a Porsche man. My world, as for many is a poorer place without him.

So very sad. Rest in Peace Chris.

John

Any funeral details known please?

Kneeslider wrote:

coomo wrote:Jesus F****** Christ.Id just made arrangements to collect some parts from him.Happening far too frequently to men of a certain age.Like to know what drives it.RIP Chris.

They why question often isn't hard to figure out. We all must know that work, businesses, families, relationship, money or our projects can all cause stress.

I also think that social media plays a part, in that Facebook and the like has pretty much killed off social phone calls. Paradoxically now it is easier than ever to get hold of people, we actually meet face to face much less. Its much harder to meet up with mates in the pub when we are all scattered around the country, and if you have a young family, then getting out of the house can mean weeks of planning, and in the end you just don't bother any more.

One of the things I'm goint to try and do this year is actually spend more time with the people I wan't to spend time with.

Very wise words indeed.

I met Chris when he did some work on my car. We ended up in his office for a considerable amount of time (hours) where he blew my mind on an eclectic mix of subjects from the design of nuclear power stations to the politics of leaving Europe. I’m not sure I said much or even understood half of what he was saying. I had never met a business owner in the Porsche world who seemed so interested in investing his time in customers. Intense as it was I was quite flattered. Looking back in hindsight I guess the signs were there.

It’s very sad that this is not uncommon in the male population. I’ve been working hard in my own business to get mental health talked about and there’s now plenty of resources although things are still very fragmented. St John Ambulance now do excellent Mental Heath First Aid training https://www.sja.org.uk/courses/workplac ... first-aid/ which myself and a few of the team have done. I urge business owners to look into this kind of thing. And resources like an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is also worth looking at. For those in the auto industry the Charity BEN (http://www.ben.org.uk) does amazing work in assisting those of you who work in this space.

RIP Chris you will be missed.

God rest your soul Chris,
I've just leant about it this evening. What a shock. I knew Chris really well and I'm really upset. In fact I had called him on the phone last 3 Saturdays as I was supposed to be going down to collect a load of parts off him. Couldn't understand why his answering machine wasn't working at the wksp and his mobile was switched off. I had no idea why he hadn't responded. I've visited Chris many times at his workshop and sent literally 100's of hours talking with him on phone and face to face. I must have spent >£20k on parts with him over the years and swapped 100s of emails. His engineering knowledge meant he made some prety special items. Some worked, some didn't but there was no doubting his dedication to the improving and preserving our Porsche heritage.
I see this thread started back on 17th Jan so presumably the funeral has already been held. I would have gone if I could.
If it is still to happen I would really like to know.
I just can't take this in and I'm not afraid to say I have a tear in my eye. I remember having long discussions with him about Paul when he took his life. They were about to go into a parts partnership together and I knew Paul pretty well too. Paul and I had spent some time together but I only knew him for a year before he took his life. I didn't see that coming either and really regret that. I knew Chris for many years and knew only too well about all his challenges, but I didn't see this coming. He always seemed to have a load of fight in him despite those challenges. Bit confused right now trying to make sense of this. I definitely considered him more of a friend than a supplier. I would never have let a supplier get away with all the things he let me down on, but I always appreciated his company. Top man who always had his heart in the right place, and I will really miss him.
If there is anyone who knows a bit more and wouldn't mind talking to me then please PM me your number. His mother must be taking this really hard. I'm struggling to make sense of this right now.
Like many others I have quite a few parts in his workshop which I'll need to sort at some stage.
Bon Voyage Chris, we'll miss you. If there is a better place I know yours will be full of classic Porsches.
Andrew

amallagh wrote:I remember having long discussions with him about Paul when he took his life. They were about to go into a parts partnership together and I knew Paul pretty well too. Paul and I had spent some time together but I only knew him for a year before he took his life.

First I've heard of it. Paul who?

Paul Heales RIP

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64148&hilit=paul+heales