Dan
Gale passed away October 4th from complications
from a stroke suffered on September 22, 2000.
The
mention of his name to almost any Corvette enthusiast
immediately brings one to think of the National
Corvette Museum and Dan's role in making the
Museum a reality. That contribution included:
-
Charter Member of the National Corvette Restorers
Society Library, Archives and Museum Committee
dating back to 1986.
-
Charter
Member of the Board of Directors of The National
Corvette Restorers Society Foundation when
it was founded in 1989. The name was later
changed to The National Corvette Museum Foundation.
-
Elected
President of the NCM Foundation Board of Directors
in 1990 and oversaw the opening of the National
Corvette Museum Annex.
-
National
leadership role in the Capital Campaign that
started in the fall of 1991.
-
Moved
to Bowling Green on semi-permanent basis in
March of 1992 for more hands on involvement
with fundraising and securing financing for
the Museum.
-
Oversaw
construction of the building and displays
that began in 1993.
-
Coordinated
the Grand Opening of the Museum in 1994.
-
Served
as Executive Director of the Museum in 1994
and 1995.
-
Continued
service as a member of the Board of the NCM
Foundation to 1997.
Dan
had a deep love for the National Corvette Museum.
While other Corvette enthusiasts were involved
in the concept of a library, archives and museum;
it was Dan's enthusiasm, creativity, work ethic,
determination, resourcefulness, untiring efforts
and plainspoken style that turned an idea into
a crusade into The National Corvette Museum.
This is the legacy that Dan Gale leaves to Corvette
enthusiasts and the one we should all remember
him by.
The
NCM flag will fly at half-mast in tribute to
his many contributions to the Museum and the
Corvette community. A portrait of Dan, his cast-in-life
overseeing drawings and pictures of the Museum
in various stages of construction has been placed
in the skydome and can be viewed by webcam on
the Museum's website.
This
special section on our website is available
for enthusiasts to express their appreciation
and sympathy to Karen, his wife; to the children
Heather, Darrin, Peter, Chris and Robby; and
to grandson Robby.
