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On behalf of the club's board I'm sorry to have to notify our community of the passing of Alan Ralston. It's my understanding that Al lost his battle with cancer yesterday morning.
Alan was a huge part of our DeSoto family. He was one of only a few club members able to "boast" of having been to every one of the club's conventions until just last year when health issues prevented him from making it to Baltimore.
Please keep Alan's family in your thoughts and prayers. More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.
Cards of sympathy can be sent to
Alan Ralston
P.O. Box 50652
Mendota, MN 55150
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I met Alan and his mom and dad when I attend the NDC Convention and car show when it was held at the White Post restoration shop.
I saw Alan at the 2015 convention in Kalamazoo and he told me that he did not think he would make it to the Baltimore show.
My condolences to his immediate family and friends. May you now rest peacefully within Gods hands.
Rich and Jackie Hartung
I met Alan at my first convention at Frankenmuth. He was more than willing to tell me everything there is to know about my '59 Firesweep. Always full of information, but never arrogant about it. We've lost a great one.
Cruise on, Alan.
Glenn Colburn
I was not fortunate enough to have met Alan but have seen his name often on this website.
I have to believe he was a very fine and respected gentleman. Rest in peace Alan and sincere condolences to his family.
Fred and JoAnn Roman
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
Yes, it is indeed a sad day for the NDC; Alan will be missed. But, as Rich has already said, at least Alan is no longer suffering.
Has anyone seen an obit for Alan? I've looked on Google and am not finding one for him. I'd like to know if Maria has done one of those "in lieu of flowers, please donate to ...."
Bill
Bob Terpak informed me of Alan's passing. Per Bob, there was no memorial or funeral.
For us NDC "early adopters", many of us first met Alan Ralston at the second annual convention in suburban Chicago. Alan's best laid plans for a great meet were cast asunder thanks to torrential downpours that flooded local highways as well as the host hotel parking lot. Alan had to make some quick adjustments and the meet concluded as a very successful convention thanks to his efforts.
Somewhere Alan is discussing the details of the '59 Driveaway with long departed former DeSoto executives....
Mark
Both Debbie and I, met Alan at the 2nd Convention in Chicago. We have many fond memories of him.
We will miss him so much. He was a very special friend to us. We feel very honored to have known him.
Prayers go out to Maria.
Mark and Debbie Waite
From the 2013 convention in Lake Elmo, MN. Here's Alan in the yellow T shirt, showing the progress on the 59 Desoto wagon that he was building. In the background are some of the 59 Desotos that he owned.
Hi All,
I bought a 59 Firesweep, here in the UK 4 years ago.
I contacted Alan via the telephone on numerous occasions and he was always able to find the right answer or point me in the right direction for spares etc.
Alan then came to the UK about 3 years ago and I met him at the train station and he came back to stay with me and Samantha. We took him out to dinner and had a great night. He was very engaging and had a really good sense of humour.
The next day we went to have a look at my car and I showed him the repairs I needed to make to the doors... ''no need he said...I have really good ones from a car I am parting out...all you need to do is arrange collection from my house and they are yours...for free''. I arranged for a shipping company to collect. When the crate arrived here in the UK, I had doors, a trunk lid, radiator and a whole load of other parts...all for nothing. What a generous guy! Over the next year Alan sent me various other bits and pieces, including the front anti roll bar assembly, which I still owe him for. He insisted I pay him when he next came over to stay. He knew he had cancer but was determined to fight it and be well enough to visit us again.
I have the US $ here waiting for him, so I will now have to post them to Maria.
Unfortunately I found out today(March 10th), via a card sent by his wife that he had passed.
What a loss for us all, a really kind and generous man.
It was a privilege to have known him.
Mick.
I received a note from Maria Ralston that stated, among other things, that memorials for Alan made be made to either the Regions Foundation/Hospice, 640 Jackson St, MS 11202C, St Paul, MN 55105-2595; and/or to Caring for Cats, 2131 Division St, North St. Paul, MN 55109. Just thought you might like to know.
Bill
