David Staten
Mr. Herman Beam
This is the way I remember Herman. He didn't smile much, could be cause he lived on pork-n-beans and crackers and peanut butter! That all I ever remember him eating at the garage. The man sure could built one hell of a race car! I'm not sure who originally took this photo.
Just curious. Is Mike Beam related?Pete
No sir. My Dad and 4 or 5 others helped finance Herman's race team from around 62 to 65. I'm not talking about a lot of money, just enough to make the next race. They hoped they would see a return, but that never happened. They didn't realize at the time,but they return they got was Herman's friendship. My Dad got hurt and almost died and was off work for a long time. Herman would do repairs on our car and never take a dime from my Dad. Herman once took a motor he had and rebuilt it and put it in my car. All he would take from my Dad was $150.00. I can remember the last time my Dad saw Herman shortly before Herman passed away in 1980. Herman had pancreatic cancer and was in the VA hospital in Johnson City. My Dad came home and cried, he didn't even recognize Herman. My Dad wanted me and himself to go back out and see Herman later that week. I told him I would go but it would be a few days before I could go. I never got to see Herman alive, he passed away before we got out there to see him, I still regret not going on while I had a chance. To make a long story short, my Dad also passed away with Pancreatic cancer.
I'm sorry I thought you asked if I was related. and no I don't think Mike Beam is related.