Benjamin Miles Keaton & Corey Nicholas Rudl - Tribute Thread

I'm not usually an emotional guy, but reading last night about Ben's totally unexpected death.. stunned me.
I knew him from rennteam.. I still can't believe it
Day after day i'm reading his messages, for more than a year, and then, one day, at 4AM, i'm checking rennteam to see what's new... and Ben's dead. Nick (nberry)'s words still burn through me: "It was Ben".
I've never met the guy in person, I'm thousands of miles away from him, and yet, writing about his death brings tears to my eyes... literally..

God, I'm still in shock.
Rest in peace, Ben, Dumnezeu sa te ierte si sa te ocroteasca!

 

I like the idea.

 

Here's a resized version .
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I know Ben from Rennlist and had only spoken with him here on F-chat a few times.......one of them being the day before his accident.........and I am still choked up today. I never knew the other gentlemen who died, but as it seems from the posts here that he was of the same caliber as Ben, then we have lost two truly great guys and genuine enthusiasts. The only solace for me (what little it is) is that they passed on doing what they loved the most........and that's the most important thing..........for there's no point in idling around when you can be bouncing off the redline of life.

 

Well said John. Well said.

 

I agree and like the avitar.
Jean-Louis

 

My deepest heartfelt sympathies to both families.

 

Here's another little avatar for Ben, lj
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Agreed.

 

Hello Everyone,

I am the Craig you've seen posted here every now and then including in an email in this thread about Jeanette Chelew's Memorial DVD. I just spoke with Jeanette and she's asked me to ask all of you who are attending the CV event tomorrow to video tape whatever memorial may be conducted for Ben and Corey. Following that event, if you could give those videotapes (however many there are) to one person and have that person contact Jeanette at the address below to make arrangements to deliver them to her for inclusion in the DVD she would be most appreciative.

email: [email protected]

Thanks everyone...

 

I changed my avatar in support of our Fchat brothers. Feel free to use it. Keep us east coasters updated and we support all their friends and family. I would be happy to contribute when the family decides their wishes.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

What is the CV event? You might want to start a new thread, your post will be hard to find in 10 minutes due to all the posts.

 

A tragic accident, RIP to both.
May the family find the strength for now and forever

 

RIP Ben! You will certainly be missed.

The circuit corner worker who let the Ferrari thru must be fired for his screw up

 

I think he means Crystal Cove......

 

R.I.P

 

Sorry for the confusion. I did mean Crystal Cove...bad typing my part. And, I will also start the new threat...excellent suggestion...thanks!

 

Ditto that.

 

I knew them not at all, but the outpouring of emotion and concern is testament both to their memories, and also to the strength and caring of the Fchat community itself.

I feel blessed and humbled to be a very small part of this wonderful association.

Farewell Ben and Corey,

Neil

 

My deepest condolocense to Ben and Cory's family and friends!
This is totally shocking! My prays and thoughts go out to both families.

 

Wow ... I am so at loss for words ... my condolences to Ben and Corey's families.

Rest in peace.

 

I have been reading all the threads on the various boards and besides the shock and sadness, the one thing that comes to mind is the blessing of life these two men have shared so vividly and poignantly with so many enthusiasts.
I see and hear people reflecting on their lives, on the things that remain and the things that hold real value and importance. Friendship, family, connecting with and helping others.
I see people taking time to listen to each other, to slow down and feel themselves, their lives and the values they hold.
I see and hear people expressing love and respect.

I don't know that there could be a finer or stronger memorial for Ben and Corey and their families than the impact that their loss has had on these various communities.

I pray we all have the strength and conviction to really carry on some of this respect and caring and to spread it among those we most care about, to continue to count our blessings and to take the time to be thankful to these two fine men for giving us an opportunity to become better than we were yesterday.
Godspeed Ben and Corey

Godspeed

 

Terrible news.
R.I.P. to both men and prayers go to their families.

 

Yesterday at mid day, I got a call on my cell phone from a friend in South Orange County that a close friend of his had been injured & was being airlifted to Loma Linda Hospital. This friend wondered if I could find someone at the hospital for him & his family to talk to when they arrived there, so they wouldn't get the run around. Since I went to Medical School there, I knew some folks & made several phone calls.
By law, they aren't allowed to give out personal information on patients, but I was able to find out who to put Anthony in touch with. Sadly, I also found out that Ben didn't make it, which has been heavy on my heart ever since. The best thing I can tell his friends & family is that the person in charge there told me that everything possible had been done & done as well as very skilled human beings could do. He was very tenderly cared for.
Like many who have posted here, I didn't have the priviledge of knowing either Ben or Cory, but the comments made about them are wonderful & moving.
In medicine, we see tragedies from time to time, but this hits harder than most of them. As folks who love our Ferraris, we get used to driving them with great passion. My license plate is "Adrenln" for that reason.
However, this has changed my approach to speed. If these very competent & experienced guys had this result, my right foot will be a little more reluctant to push quite as much.
I'm sorry I didn't get to meet them, but mostly I'm tremendously sorry for the losses to their wives & to Parker. It is great to see the fantastic respect the posts here have shown. That says a lot about the character of these fellows.