For one day in my life I was blessed to have met him at one of his races through his son, and remember him being kind to me that day.  Throughout my life I followed his career because of that one day.  It saddens me to hear of his passing.  My condolences to his family.  He really was an icon in the sport of racing.

Miss him at ever. race.  Not a better, competitor,  tuner. .and great person..

RIP Dick.  You are truly missed 

Miss him a lot.  Sure a great man.  Racing is not the same.

RIP 

Dick built us some steet engines that we sure had a blast with. Bud, Carol, Marty, Danny Meyers and myself would all want the family to know that we are praying for the family and hope that Dick R.I.P.  Please accept our sincere condolences!!

My late husband Bob Secord and Dick were long time friends. It saddens me hear he has passed. He was kind, generous and always had a funny story to share. I think of him everyday as I live in his old house that he sold to us (sight unseen!) as my husband told me, “who cares about the house?! Look at these polebarns!”  He built most of racers out back....if only those walls could talk! Please accept my deepest heartfelt sympathies Jeff, Kim, Tanna, Race and to the rest of the family. He will truly be missed! I feel so lucky that he stopped in to say hi to me last summer. RIP Dick

I have so many fond memories of Uncle Dick in my childhood years. Absolutely loved the occasions we could all get together and just have fun being a family. Jim and I send our very heartfelt condolences to Claudia, Jeff, Kim and your entire family. 

A very talented gentleman,friend and a person of vast knowledge.It was a pleasure have spent time with him over the years.My sinscere condolencles to Jeff and Kim and rest of family.

My prayers go out to Jeff,Kim,Tim and the rest of the family.I'll always remember Dick and may he rest in peace racing away with all the other greats.I remember buying my first front motor car from him and all the help he provided.I remember being in the emergency room at Indy after his accident and the courage he had.He will be greatly missed. Due to an eye surgery Friday, i truly regret not being at his service and i apoligize from the bottom of my heart. God bless to you all and love sent. Dave and Evon Pelley,Tim and Janet Doolittle,and your friends at D.P.R.C. BLESS ALL!

I am thankful to have so many great memories of Dick. He was quite a guy. My condolences to his family.

One of the most sincere persons I ever met, I met Dick as a waitress, at Athens restaurant back in 1983. And later he would come in to the Sunrise grill every Tuesday to eat the chicken soup.  There came a time I was purchasing a restaurant and the closing date didn’t coordinate with my finances. I didn’t ask, but He offered to loan me the money for the 2 weeks, so could get it done. I did not get the restaurant for other reasons.  I thanked Dick and asked  him why he would make such an offer to someone he only knew through years of waiting on him. This is what he told me, “ Sheila when I wanted to get into racing, I went to my boss at the time (Lansing drop forge?) and asked for a loan to build my first car, he said good luck but no. So when things got good for me, I told myself I would try help hard working others like you. The last time I saw Dick was soon after that, but every year we have talked on his birthday. Going to miss that call every year. So very thankful I got to know such a good, kind and inspirational person.  

I met Dick early on, at Capitol City Speed Shop, where my Mom kept the books. One day I was working on a coaster go kart, I got the idea for metal rod for axles. Dick was working in the machine shop downstairs. Later on, Mom brought home 2 axles, drilled for cotter puns, the pins, washers, and u-bolts to attach the axles, way more than I had asked for. I was stunned, and when I got the chance to thank him for all the extra effort, his response was, “That’s okay. Always remember, racers help each other.” He was the best then, and all through his career. Rest In Peace.

I was so saddened to hear of Dick's passing. He has been a true friend through the years from the time I first met him at Onondaga Dragway in the '70's. My first husband, Max Taylor, (deceased) knew him then and we enjoyed following his racing career on TV and having some great talks with him whenever he would stop by. He truly was a selfless, caring man who just happened to be a great Top Fuel Champion! One of my fondest memories of him was the year after he won the 1987 Top Fuel championship when he brought his vintage truck over to Max for him to restore. Needless to say, he was very pleased with the results. But it meant so much more when he and Claudia invited us to the US Nationals as their special guests! We got to sit in the pits and watch he and the crew work on his dragster and also got to meet many drivers (including Joe Amato) whose pit was right next to his. We also got to witness the first 4-second side by side Top Fuel race against Joe Amato. After Max's unexpected passing, Dick made sure to check in with me from time to time just to see how I was doing. He was a really good man and will be sorely missed by all of us that had the honor of having him as a dear friend.  Also, I met my current husband, Kris Keeler, through our friends Jeff & Jorie  LaHaie at (where else?) the US Nationals!

Our deepest sympathies go out to Jeff, Kim and the entire LaHaie family! Rest in Peace, Dick. God Bless You!

With Love, 
Clara (Taylor) Keeler and Kris Keeler

Kim, Jeff&family,
I’m sorry to hear of your dads passing. I only have great memories of when you all lived next door to us on Theresa Ave.  playing in the big tires. Your dad running his dragster down Everett Dr. I feel lucky I got to see him when he was inducted to Lansing’s Sports Hall of Fame. 
You all are in my thoughts and prayers 
Sincerely 
Carole

Kim,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad.  I know you two had a very special/strong bond.  I have been searching for you and Tim for years.  I'm so heartbroken that I had to connect with you over your Dad's passing.
Love & miss you!
Barbara
(Time to Travel)

I felt I wanted to say thanks for the great memories. My father Noah Canfield has passed on as well and would want to commemorate Dick and pass condolences to his Wife, Jeff, Kim. As I grew up Dick was just part of the Canfield family, he was received by my father as a son. Dick started his dragster career with my fathers Dragster, "The Glass Chariot" in the early 60's after his Oldsmobile days in Lansing.
We as a family use to go to the winter races in Fla. as a young man Dick always made feel like I was part of the team and through the years even was able to help in the pits and wrench on the car between rounds. Times I will never forget.
He will be missed, a gentleman, a great racer and best mechanic in Top Fuel. He is in a great place anyone who knew Dick. is all you had to do is see John 3:16 on his windshields of his cars to know he knew our Lord. He is reaping many blessings I am sure.
All our best from the Canfield family,
Steve, Treva, (late) Noah

I met Dick LaHaie, his son Jeff and daughter Kim in the early 1970's, when he was unsponsored and racing out-of-pocket, but winning regularly. I was the PR person who shot photos and wrote the stories of the UDRA Midwest Top Fuel Circuit, and Dick was one of the first people I met. He was immediately friendly, articulate and available. During those years he was TF Champion on the circuit, but always humble, personable and genuine. Years later, when he had retired from driving and focused on tuning he remained the same Dick LaHaie, and always a friend. Drag racing has lost a true giant and a grand example of all that is good about drag racing and its people. RIP, old friend.

Having lived in Michigan all of my life and being an avid drag race fan I always followed and became a big fan and admirer of Dick. I also enjoy street rodding events and would often see Dick and Claudia cruising and enjoying there own hot rods. He will be dearly missed by everyone.

My sincerest condolences to the LaHaie family.



Wow December has been a rough month for our family as we lost Dad almost a year ago!!  When Jeff called with the news we were all extremely sad!!  I just wanted to say thank you for recognizing my father’s talents and intelligence (about those motors as drag racing was truly his first love)..thank you for allowing my Dad to live out his dreams every time he stepped on that drag strip with you and Kim..Most of all thank you for being his mentor and best friend!!  I take solace in knowing that my Daddy was right there at the pearly gates of Heaven waiting for you!!  I am also cofident that the two of   you are at the drag strip in Heaven sitting around drinking a beer and shooting the shit about the old days!!  I truly realized how much he loved you the day my Dad decided to be buried in his Miller High Life racing uniform ( he was so proud of all that you accomplished together).  I don’t know if I will ever experience a friendship like the two of you had in my entire lifetime!  The world lost a Drag racing legend but most of all the world lost an amazing man!!  RIP Dick-O you were and are loved by so many💔 The LaHaie family is in our thoughts and prayers!! 

My brother and I worked with Dick, in the late fifties, at the  Rodeo  Drive-in ( Saginaw and Waverly across from Sully's).  He was always fun to be around.  My Condolences to the family during this difficult time.   -Jeff Lake City MI-  

As a youg kid with a passion for cars, Dick always had time to share some advice when I was building a big block Plymouth engine while in high school.  I will never forget his kindness and desire to share a passion for drag racing!  Whenever I saw Dick at Central Michigan Dragway or 131 Dragway.....he always asked about the car.  Thanks Dick for being a CHAMPION both on and off the drag strip!

The early years were great, i never thought of you as a competitor or a rival just a great friend that was always there to help. Our families spent a lot of time together and we had a great bond.
You will be forever be in our memories.

Luigl Novelli

In the 90's, my son and I and another foursome departed New Brunswick, Canada by van for the US Nationals.  We were all over the moon excited.  My first cousin, Laurie Cherry, made the arrangements to meet with Dick, Claudia and Kim during the big event.  The LaHaie's treated us like royalty and presented us with autographed apparel which added to the wonderful experience that the US Nationals can be.  Dick was Connie AND Scott Kalitta's crew chief at that time and Kim was crew chief for Chuck Etchell who was running ProStock.  It was the year that Scott won his first Top Fuel World Championship.  They say that you can't recall what people have said or done in the past but that you can never forget how people made you feel.  The LaHaie's were the best of the best.  Our condolences to the family on Dick's passing.

I met Dick through one of my closest friends the late Bobby [Poncho] Rendon. He and Dick were very close; they talked almost weekly and raced a Top Fuel dragster together  in the 70's. I never let on what a fan I was of Dicks. I remembered him racing his own car at Detroit Dragway and knew of  the many achievments of his career after that. I tried not to ask him any stupid questions and he always answered on a personal basis adding info that amazed me.  A very quiet; humble; articulate  man  ; and most of all a gentleman. R.I.P. Dick LaHaie


Dick was always one of my favorite drivers to watch in the 80s and 90s. A total class act, both him and Kim. Thanks for the memories! 

I am so sorry for your loss Jeff and Kim. May God give you strength in your time of need. Rest in peace Richard.

It was the Spring Nationals in Phoenix and Dick LaHaie was the crew chief for Larry Dixon. Larry was signing autographs for all the fans and when I approached I wanted to know if I could get an autograph from Dick and of course he went and grabbed him and Dick brought me back into the trailer area let me look around and we talked about the fact that when I was a kid my dad would drive me past his house and we would look to see if there was anybody in the garage. He was a very nice to me and that was a fond memories of one of the greatest drag racers of all time.

I met Dick and Claudia back in the early 90's. Several of us wanted to put on a car show to help abused children. Well long story short. Dick and Claudia were called and they were right there. They helped us make some good money for the children.  Thanks for your help!!! Sending our condolences and prayers...

       I met Dick back in the late 69 or early 70's at least I think it was him. We used to live on Seymour St in Lansing Michigan and my brother Abel and I heard someone firing up a very loud race car down the street around the 900 block on Seymour St. In Lansing  ran down to the place where all those beautiful sounds were coming from only to find  someone revving up their dragster in their driveway behind their house. After he shut the engine off he asked if we would help push his dragster onto the trailer, we didn't get chance to talk he was in a hurry to get to the racetrack, but we thought it might be him.  
       He was an inspiration to many drag racing enthusiasts including myself. What he was able to accomplish with a limited budget for a number of years was short of being miraculous.
      I later would see him at the GM plant in downtown Lansing when all the big name dragster drivers would display their cars on Olds Avenue for the employees could get to see their dragsters up close. I remember seeing his Miller High Life sponsored car and had Dick autograph the picture he was  a very humble man from what I had noticed.
      The last time I saw Dick and Claudia was in Punta Gorda Florida at a big car show with their beautiful woody wagon in 2012. 
       Condolences to the LaHaie family. R.I.P. Dick, may Gods peace be with your family.

Dick was my neighbor when I was a little girl. I was a great friend of his daughter Kim. I remember pushing his dragster down the street, many times, then him burning rubber. I spent many hours in his garage watching him work on the dragster. I was probably more under his foot than anything, but I was so interested in the dragster. I remember his bad accident in Florida, when he nearly lost his hand. I hadn't seen him since I was a tween, since I moved away. But I surely followed  him through the race world. He would always come home in his orange truck and trailer with the winnings written with white shoe polish all over his truck. He was a good man. My heart goes out to Kim and Jeff and his family and friends. RIP Mr. Lahaie, and thanks for the memories.

Dick was always a reason I enjoyed watching NHRA on tv and live in Indy. Always seemed to be a nice guy and a great tuner. R.I.P. Dick and tell Steve Evan's we all say hello!!!

Condolences to Claudia  Darin Kim Jeff and their families on the passing of Dick. He was a wonderful man who will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him. God Bless him 🙏

My father, Dave Hudnut, was a fellow drag racer and a good friend of Dick's.  My sisters and I grew up at the drag races, watching Dick race, having a ball in the pits.   Dick was such a good guy.  As I grew up, I had the pleasure of knowing him and Claudia.  I feel that we all considered Dick, Claudia, Kim and Jeff to be like extended family.  
Getting the opportunity to meet and talk with Dick as an adult showed me how much of a decent, kind hearted and hard working guy he always was.   He will never be forgotten, not only for his impact on the Drag Racing world, but for being a kind and decent person.   Prayers and love to the entire LaHaie family during the difficult time.  He will be missed.  

I  worked with Dick since the beginning of his racing  career, starting with full body cars, eventually building his first dragster, then many more through the years.  
During that span, through many tough and trying times, I found him to be totally focused on being the best  at this chosen field.  Working with  very  limited resources, necessitated him to find ways to compete without destroying his equipment.  There was never anyone better, in racing,  than Dick,  at getting top performance from his  equipment, without destroying it.   Even with a pair of serious  accidents,  which nearly cost him the  loss   his hand, he never gave up rebounding  to eventually become NHRA World Champion in his Top Fuel Dragster,  After retiring from driving,  at the top of his game,  he led  two other top named drivers in the class to become world  champions.

Truly a remarkable  career to one of the greats in his field and I am glad I was able to play a small role in his quest to be one of the best.  

Now, as  he suits up, to take his last run, and I am sure he will be a winner at the final finish line.   Hopefully I may one day  join him there.     RIP Dick, see ya on the other side.     Wayne Farr

Our sincere sympathy to Kim, Claudia and  the LaHaie family, So sorry for your loss.

I got to meet Dick through the magic of television and in person at the Winter Nationals 1987.  I was always inspired by how he fought against the odds and beat opponents with his will and intellect.  Two qualities everyone should have.  RIP Dick-O.  You were a great man!!

Dick was truly instramental in my Motorsports career.   He allowed a 16 year old kid who knew nothing be part of racing at a high level.  I started sweeping the floor, then cleaning parts, then polishing the race car.  Eventually I went to the race track and truly caught the addiction that has shaped my life.

His dedication, native racing instinct and his competitive desire is what made him a true Champion, a self made Champion.

Thank you Dick.

Paul Gentilozzi

DickO gave me a piece f advice that I try really hard to remember when work or life has me crazy stressed. He said “Chrissy, you can’t save the world on your own”.  Godspeed DickO. 

I will never forget congratulating Dick on his first World Championship. We had raced against him many times, but was always a fan. Then two years ago I had seen him for the first time in many at Indy, walked over to him to say hi and he in his frail voice called me by name. He was and always will be a great man. Many prayers to Claudia, Kim and Jeff. God speed my friend.

OBITUARIO

Richard E. LaHaie

8 enero, 1942 – 5 diciembre, 2018

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

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