Carl Dobson - Missouri Icon

[KTMissouri]

Folks:

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this. We in Missouri Off-Road, lost one of our long time "good guys" on Wednesday 2/7/2007. Carl Dobson was the definition of an enthusiast. He was at almost every race and raced hard and had a blast. He was a joy to be around and always had a kind word for you.

Carl died at he age of 46 of a massive heart attack. That is just too young.

I knew Carl, but my heart goes out to the many Missouri racers that knew him better than I did. He will be sorely missed.

For all of the guys about his age, go for a ride and think about how lucky you are. For the wifes of the "older" riders, give your husband a hug and thank god he is still out there having fun. For you younger folks, Give your father a hug and thank god he is still with you. And everybody, please say a prayer for my friend Carl.

Shawn

[KTMissouri]

I just recieved this note from Kevin R., Carl and he were very close friends.

My friend carl Dobson passed away on 2-2-07 from an apparent heart attack. he was the epitome of a missouri hare scrambler and bikes were his life.
His girlfriend is setting up arrangements for the funeral and is asking that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to riderdown.org....
I am trying to get a benefit ride set up in or around MO and hopefully earn some donations...
thought you might wanna know

[50ccMoM]

I will be praying for Carl and his family.




Angie

[Gatlin5]

Hi Shawn,

I am so sorry to hear about Carl. Our thoughts and prayers go out from here.

Godspeed Carl!

[char393]

Shawn, I'm sorry that you've lost a friend and that the sport has lost one of it's great people.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family.

Godspeed Carl.

[robincrutcher]

In memory of Carl, who brought such joy to all those around him,
I have made a donation to Rider Down.

Carl went out of his way to help others. With this donation,
he can continue to do so.

[Freedomcycles]

Freedom Cycles employees have made a donation in memory of Carl Dobson. Carl always brought such energy and enthusiasm with him when he visited our store. It made no difference what his last race results had been. He was always ready to go again. We can all learn from the pure enjoyment and enthusiasm he had for our sport. He will be greatly missed by all of us and we will think of him every ride we do.

[Gatlin5]

Michael,

I wanted to thank you for your generous donation and welcome you to the site. I'm sorry it had to be introduced to you under these circumstances. Carl sounds like he was an awesome guy I wish all of us would have had the pleasure of knowing him as you did.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Carl, his family and friends.

God Bless and Thank you.

[94ruck]

I want to truly thank the folks at Freedom Cycles for the contibution.
I have been in pain since Carl's passing and just now looking at all of the things around the internet that is being said about my dear friend.
I sent some email out so folks would know and Mr Stanfield and his family and crew responded immediately.
carl exuburance and excitement made him seem younger than his 46 years and he loved to ride and ride we did. I moved to texas, 500 miles awy from my best friend...instead of growing apart, he made sure we made time throughout the year to at least ride and drink a few pepsi's. he and i spent the weekend doing this very thing while putting on the last man standing back in December...and we rode at Village creek all day on sunday, swapping bikes, telling stories...my kids absolutely adored Carl and my son learned to ride by listening to carl, learning not to"throw on the brakes too early....stand on that outside peg when turning, build a fire in that thing, we got to go", etc...
Thanks Shawn for getting the message out as well

[Tatonka]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Carl's family and friends, please accept my sympathies. I hate to see and hear the news of someone's passing at such an early age, especially someone who has obviously influenced so many in such a positive way.

God Speed Carl, R.I.P.

[jreekers]

I never knew Carl, but I have known his GF for quite a long time. She's a wonderful friend. My thoughts and prayers are with her and Carl's family. It's my honor to make a donation to riderdown.org in Carl's name.

-Joe R.

[ddobson]

Thank you to all who have posted stories about Carl. We appreciate your thoughts & prayers. Also, thank you to all who have donated to riderdown in memory of Carl. The Dobson Family

[KTMissouri]

I was told the other day about another way that the Dobson Family is giving to RiderDown.

As has been mentioned, Carl did a video every year that chronicled the Missouri State HS Championship series. He had done all of the video by cam and helmet cam. They have now finished the video and will be selling them at upcoming races. All proceeds are going to be donated to riderdown. Now is that cool or what?

Thanks again to the Dobson Family!

[Tatonka]

That is very cool and what a wonderful gesture! I'll bet it's a great video!

Again - on behalf of everyone involved with RiderDown our thoughts and prayers are still with you and Carl.