Joe Mack

On Sunday, December 22, Gary Manley called me to deliver news that I knew must someday arrive, but that I had hoped never would.  He let me know that Joe Mack Schubert had passed.

Of all my heroes as a teenager, and those who remain heroes to me at this late stage of my life, none are more dear to me than Joe Mack. 

Readers of my blogging may remember my post on Joe Mack's 76th birthday in 2013.

Joe Mack's 76th Birthday

Some of his life's story is told there, but a bit of it bears repeating here.

Joe Mack lived in Greenbelt, a place of my early childhood, and the home to so many of my friends.  The above photo, given to me by Darryl Richards, is the only photo I have of Joe Mack before an accident paralyzed him at the age of 25.

I first met Joe Mack at Berwyn Baptist Church, the Church that his Mom and my Mom shared.  This cool dude with a beard, sitting barefoot in a wheel chair (covered with car stickers) entered the sanctuary.  He was a celebrity.  I quickly learned that he and my Dad were friends, fellow Marines, and worked at the same CO-OP store at one time.  I was 15 years old.

Within three years I purchased a Corvette and entered the world of car worship.  Older guys had a network of contacts that proved useful to me and the guys at Beltsville Shell in making our cars cooler and faster.  They included Pete La Barbera, Carl Schinner, Darryl Richards, and Joe Mack.  

Despite his handicap, Joe Mack was an avid rodder, and a superb interior craftsman.  His reputation for custom motorcycle seats quickly spread.

The interior of my 1959 Corvette was getting shabby, so Joe Mack agreed to make custom dash, seats, and door panels.  He used black Naugahide that was stunning.  I would stop by his shop in Greenbelt between college classes to monitor his progress.  

During one of the visits, Joe Mack said to me, "Cary, you know it's a good thing you are having me do this work now, because a year from now it will be much more expensive."  

I replied, "Really? Why is that?"

He replied, "Those Naugas have been declared endangered and soon the prices for the hides will go through the roof!"

Such was his mischievous sense of humor.  Everyone loved Joe Mack.

Outside of our small communities of Greenbelt, College Park, Berwyn Heights, and Beltsville, where he was well known, Joe Mack enjoyed a nation-wide celebrity among Hot Rodders.  For example, here is a photo that appeared in the classic "Rodders Journal", made famous by Steve Coonan, of Joe's Model A Roadster driving across the country, wheel chair strapped to the side!  Look at that smile.

This week Dave Wallace and others provided me with more information and an article about Joe Mack that appeared in Hot Rod Magazine.  Please see the four-page article below, a special editorial about him (I apologize that it is a bit difficult to read).

 

He lived far longer than his doctors predicted -- they didn't account for his unquenchable spirit and pure love of people.  He never complained about his handicap, or the accident that tried to limit his life.  Even though he was 9 years and 364 days older than me, he treated me as though we were best friends in high school.

After I moved to California, and we published Beltsville Shell, I was reunited with Joe Mack.  Phone calls and letters were exchanged, and he came to Reunion #8. Here are a few photos from that event.

Joe Mack and Darryl collaborated to give me a beautiful gift that rests in a place of honor in my garage.  They had the Rodders Journal photo enlarged, and Joe Mack autographed it for me saying, "Hey Cary -- Burn More Rubber & Keep on Crusin!! Your Pal Joe Mack"

Gary Manley sent me the photo below, ironically, one week prior to his passing.

Immediately below is the link to his obituary, reproduced below for your convenience.

Joe Mack's Obituary

Like all of you, I will miss him so very much.  

Keep Crusin', Joe Mack!

Cary Thomas, December 27, 2024

USC - Notre Dame - 50 Years later

November 30, 2024

This is a story about how a football game that I watched 50 years ago today, and a very special person, changed my life!

In November 1974 I was living in College Park, Maryland, just down the street from my parents on Norwich Road.  Thanksgiving had been a nice day, and on this Saturday I walked up the street to help my Dad rake leaves in the yard.  

In the early afternoon we moved inside the house to have lunch and watch football.  ABC sports was showing a game between Notre Dame and the University of Southern California in the historic LA Coliseum with 83,552 people in attendance. I had never seen a USC game, and truthfully, I didn't really understand the difference between USC and UCLA.  This game pitted the last two national champions in their annual cross-country rivalry -- USC was the National Champion in 1972, and Notre Dame in 1973.  The game attracted a national audience.

Notre Dame was killing USC and had run up a score of 24 - 0.  Just before halftime, USC finally scored a touchdown, but missed the extra point.

During halftime, we recessed to the kitchen to make sandwiches from Thursday's left over turkey.  I suggested to my Dad that we should switch to another game, since this one was so lopsided.  As we settled into the family room, Notre Dame began the second half by kicking off to USC.  Anthony Davis received the kick in the end zone and ran 100+ yards for a touchdown.  OK, I thought, this might get interesting!

As Dad and I watched in awe, USC went on to score 55 points in under 17 minutes, possibly one of the greatest comebacks in NCAA history.  

 Here is a nice story that Sports Illustrated published this week if you want to know all the details of this historic game.

Sports Illustrated Story About USC - ND 1974

The next game for USC was against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on New Year's day.  USC won that game too and went on to win their second national championship in three years. 

Who could have predicted that fewer than two years later I would be working at USC?

In May of 1976 I was working in the President's Office at the University of Maryland as a senior budget analyst. My bosses at Maryland had been very good to me, and they allowed me to earn my MBA while working. My work life was good, but I longed for a change from small town College Park. 

In the Chronicle for Higher Education I saw a job posted for an associate budget officer at USC.  I thought, "I know a bit about USC", and created my first resume and wrote a letter of application.  

A few weeks later I receive a phone call from a Mr. David Shawaker.  We talked about my qualifications and the opportunity at USC.  David arranged for me to fly to Los Angeles for an on-campus interview.  It was only the second time that I had flown in an airplane, and the first time that I had rented a car.  I interviewed with David, the VP of Finance, the Executive Vice President, the CFO, and a few other people. David offered me the job before I flew back to Maryland.  I went to the bookstore and bought a USC sweatshirt and while there I saw a USC clock fashioned from a photo of the scoreboard of the USC-ND game for sale.  Unfortunately I didn't buy one!

I was a single parent, but I decided to make the move with my two daughters, Carrie and Mary.  We arrived in Los Angeles in July and I've been in California ever since.  David and his wife, Pat, provided so much support to my family -- we could not have survived the transition to LA without them.

As I met people at USC I would frequently ask them if they were at the 1974 game.  Everyone knew about, or remembered, that game. Each told their own story of the experience, many telling me that they stood in the stands for the entire second half.  Like them, I never forgot that game.

There are so many things in my life that grew out of these life changing events, and I am forever grateful to David for giving me that amazing opportunity.  And through his influence I served three "tours of duty" at USC, each one a rewarding experience.

Our relationship was much more than professional.  When Nan and I were married, David was our Best Man.  And later he came to the hospital to see Canon the day she was born. 

Thank you Trojans, and David, for 50 years of memories!

Sincerely, Cary

Beltsville Shell Reunion #20

 Sunday, October 20, 2024

For the twentieth time in twenty-two years friends, family, and fans of Beltsville Shell gathered for the thirteenth time at Herman's Garage in Beltsville, Maryland for a reunion.

What had begun in 2002 as a reunion of seven people who worked at, or frequented, the Shell service station on Route 1 in Beltsville, Maryland has grown to include an extended circle of friends and high school classmates.  We share remembrances of a small town from a time that was extraordinarily special, a fondness for each other, and hope for continued health and happiness in the years ahead.

None of this would be possible without Herman, of course.  Nan and I will never be able to thank him enough for his many kindnesses.

Many people contribute to making the reunions a big success, but special recognition needs to go to Herman's daughter, Tammy, and Tom and Bonnie Hontz.

Herman's Garage is located in the peaceful, remote area of Beltsville surrounded by the sprawling Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. 

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center 

It is fewer than 19 miles from the White House to this special place, but the milieu could not be more different -- here you will be unable to find controversy, conflict, hatred, or any of the upsetting things of our contemporary world.  It is a welcome respite for those who come to visit, and the perfect venue for these reunions.

On our way to Herman's, Nan and I stopped in old Beltsville to shop for refreshments at the Costco store that is directly across the street from the "new Shell Station".  It had changed little from the time described in the book.

After buying some food and wine for the party, we drove out Edmonston Road to Beaver Dam Road (the "back way" to Herman's house) to enjoy the scenery.  We were greeted to fall colors, a winding road, and no traffic.  The scenery could have been confused with any rural area of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Virginia.  Too bad we weren't driving a Corvette!

Beaver Dam Road

We enjoyed excellent weather -- a warm autumn afternoon greeted us as we arrived at Herman's Garage. 

This year Herman arranged it so that there were two reunions combined into one -- the first as noted above, and another for the "Verizon Bell Heads" -- people who worked with him at Bell Atlantic, and later Verizon.  In a few cases the members of the groups overlapped!

Cars have always been important to us, so it was fitting that classic cars filled the parking area: Herman's 1934/35 Ford Truck (made from scratch), Malcolm Van Kirk's 1963 Corvette Roadster, Dave Bratton's 1959 Chevrolet El Camino, and Gary Manley's 1939 Ford Coupe.

Herman's 1934/35 Ford Truck

Malcolm's 1963 Corvette

Dave's 1959 El Camino

Pat Thomas inspecting Gary Manley's 1939 Ford

The Gear Head line up: Bill Goodwin, Dave Bratton, Gary Manley, Tick Mangum, Cary, Phil Corbin, Pat Thomas, and Steve Anderson.

In total, including the Verizon Bell Heads, the attendance was 50 -- the most ever.  People came from as far away as Delaware, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia (and California).

We always have a good Delaware group and this year it included Dave Bratton, Dexter Drake, Bill and Maryjane Goodwin, and Tom and Bonnie Hontz. Steve Anderson came from the Eastern Shore of Maryland (and that's sort of Delaware).

Maryjane and Bill Goodwin drove from Delaware - it was (approximately) Bill's birthday

 

Steve Anderson showing his Maryland pride

Phil Marcus came from North Carolina, Lynn Stephens came from Missouri, and the Virginia group included Mike Calhoun, Gary Manley, and Lou and Melanie Pai.

Two people who appear prominently in the book are Dexter Drake, and Nace DeLauter.  They each have their own chapter! 

Dexter, Nan and Nace

Nace holds the record for attending every Beltsville Shell Reunion

Almost everyone who worked at Beltsville Shell attended High Point High School in Beltsville, and these reunions have become a proxy for our class reunions -- which is a bonus. My count might be off, but I believe that of the 44 people in attendance, 27 attended High Point.

High Point classmates Mike Calhoun, Doug Jones, Tom Hontz, Bonnie Hontz, Lou Pai, and Cary

We had a few newcomers this year -- Lou and Melanie Pai, and Mike Calhoun.

There are so many  things that I love about the reunions, but at the top of the list is getting to see Tom Hontz.  Tom and I have been friends since the first day of first grade -- 71 years and counting!

The second best part about the reunions (after visiting) is eating.

And every year Malcolm brings a celebratory cake!

We recognized Bill Goodwin's birthday!

The day always ends with our traditional group photo.

From left to right we see: Phil Marcus, Bill Goodwin, Fred Davies, Bonnie Hontz, Tricia Reid, Tom Hontz, Dave Bratton, Maryjane Goodwin, Doug Jones, Jim Ziepolt, Anne McFarland, Tick Mangum, Suanne Lees, Rick Ransom, Barbara Ransom, Phil Corbin, Pat Thomas, Nace DeLauter, Mike Calhoun, Dexter Drake, Kathy Bartmanski, Sandi Watt, Bruce Clark, Allison Roach, Cary, Mark Roach, Nan, Lou Pai, Melanie Pai, Herman Knauer, Donnie Borgwardt, Lynn Stephens, Sharon Nomikos, Vern Isley, Malcolm Van Kirk, Bonnie Williams, Eddie Scarcia, Tammy Yokum, and Jannah Hobday.

Also in attendance, but not in the photo, were Steve Anderson, Bud Duley, Gary Manley, Janet Merkel, Michael Moore and Matthew Vasquez, photographer.

As the Sun continued its arc across the sky elongating our shadows, and as people said their goodbyes, I thought of the many people who wrote to me to share their regrets for missing #20, all for good reasons. Health issues, distance, or family conflicts precluded them from participating.  It would have been good to see them.

We are at the stage of our lives when friendships and memories are among the best things in life, and each day is a gift.  

I want to thank everyone for giving me this particular day as a very special gift.

Sincerely, Cary

Epilogue

The fact that Herman owns a plot of land surrounded by a huge Federal Government research compound is amazing.  He can give you the personal history on how this happened.  Here is how his property looks on Google Maps.  Notice especially that his property lies between two bodies of water -- Beaver Dam Creek and Beck Branch.

Herman has done his own research on the land and has traced his property back to 1717 -- more than 300 years!  Here is what he found on the original land grant on the Maryland Land Records website:

So, to commemorate his family's ownership of the land for more than 100 years (since December 31, 1908), Herman constructed and erected a sign on the property.  How cool is that??

Herman, you are amazing!!!

Howie comes for a visit

Many have been the occasions when I have marveled how much Beltsville Shell is about "friendship".

Readers of Beltsville Shell may be familiar with my friend Howard "Howie" Feuerstein.  

Chapter 10 of the book describes my first ride in a Corvette, followed by a series of "first ride in a Corvette" stories contributed by some of my closest friends.  Howie's is especially memorable:

“It was 1955 and my cousin Hank had gotten a Corvette.   Well, one summer morning, as my father was leaving for work, he told me that Hank was going to loan him his Corvette for the night.  I remember telling every kid on the block and we all were waiting on the street in front of my house as my dad pulled around the corner. And there it was.  Top down, Polo white, red interior, white wall tires, wire mesh protecting the head lights.  I had never seen anything so beautiful in the 9 years I had inhabited this planet.  I can still see it and smell that special Corvette scent as if it was yesterday.” Howard Feuerstein

Howie was my commercial real estate consultant when I worked at the Information Sciences Institute at USC from 1991 to 1999.  Our professional bond became a personal one, and we have remained friends for almost 35 years.

Howie was an enthusiastic supporter of the idea of the book, and as you can see above, even contributed to the book!  Howie has remained in close contact with all things relating to Beltsville Shell, so it is no surprise that he had read the stories of Nan's acquisition of a 2024 Corvette convertible, followed closely (17 days later) by our acquisition of a 2024 Z06.  He decided to drive down to Carlsbad at the end of May to check them out.

We first took a tour of the garage so I could show off the new cars, and explain the differences between the Stingray and the Z06.  Soon it was time to take a ride, meaning that he needed to decide which Corvette to choose! Howie decided that he wanted to experience the Z06.

We buckled up and headed down I-5 here in San Diego to visit some familiar places.  I tried to show Howie the many features of the mid-engine Corvette, since this was his first ride in a car with the new configuration.

Once the engine was suitably warmed up I demonstrated the performance of the flat-plane crank 670 HP power plant.  Howie told me that this was the fastest car he had ever experienced.  This comment made me very happy!

No visit to Cary's garage is complete without a stop at the local In-N-Out burger joint. 

There is nothing quite as special as spending time with close friends, doing the things that make us happy, and building new memories!

Thanks for coming for a visit, Howie -- let's get together again soon.