Ariel (AKA Arde) and Graciela are driving the last drive

[craterface]

Oh no! So sorry to read this. I met Ariel the first time at Concorso Italiano of all places, and he was there with his Lancia Fulvia Rally, yellow with a black hood. He was his hilarious self, as usual.
For a time we corresponded about life in Aptos, where he had retired, south of Santa Cruz. I had contemplated a change in life and moving from the east to the California Coast. He had some great advice, although we ended up not moving.
I will miss his wit around here. And such a rich and interesting life he led. One of so many immigrants who made good here in the US and contributed so much.

 

[bmw2800cs]

I'm sorry for your loss @deQuincey @Arde was a good guy always available to help out with some local reccomendations.

- Steve

 

[ScottAndrews]

Oh my.. Ariel and I were good friends when I lived down in Silicon Valley. He was smart and gracious. A couple of years ago he shared a number of photos of his cars, and the family getaway in Aptos. Invited us down to stay there any time we wanted. He once brough his Verona coupe to my house and we had a big BBQ as "Ice House Dave" (a guy we all knew from Roadfly) and his wife Ginny worked thier magic on his paint finish.

So very sad.

 

[ScottAndrews]

so do we know what happened?

I did some research. Apparently they were driving northbound on US 101 near Arroyo Grande (a bit south of San Luis Obispo). The car left the road, crashed down an embankment, and caught fire. They both died at the scene. Ariel has several grown children, and many family members in Uruguay. I remember him brewing coffee in one of those aluminum screw together espresso pots, and chatting about cars in his driveway over small cups of his strong coffee.. So sad.

 

[ScottAndrews]

For those who may not have known Ariel Hendel (Arde) personally, I went back to a PM conversation we had in 2023, and selected a few photos from the many he sent me as we caught up on events since I moved away from Silicon Valley in 2009... Most of these were at his beach house in Aptos. I think it's OK to share these to put a face and a family on the name...

We had many great conversations, and I'll miss having the opportunity to get together.

 

[ScottAndrews]

Thank you,

Ariel’s daugther, Yael, allows me to say this here. Should you want to share your thoughts and contribute to the memory of Ariel…

In Memory of Ariel & Graciela Hendel

Thnk you

Wow, this was so moving. Thanks for posting it..