We were hit with more bad news today with the announcement that Gary Anderson, the founder of Soffseal Inc., has passed away. If you are a drag racing fan you can’t help but think back to the exciting days when Top Sportsman was birthing the new Pro Mod class and Robbie Vandergriff, in his Soffseal-backed, “World’s Fastest ’57 Chevy” were delighting crowds all across the country.
Gary was a great enthusiast and supporter of the racing community and also a great advocate for kids in the car hobby.
This has not been a great week so far. Read the full release below.
SoffSeal, Inc. founder Gary Anderson passes
(3-10-2009) HARRISON, OH – For 29 years SoffSeal, Inc. has led the way in the automotive restoration rubber market and each of those years the company has been led by its founder and President Gary Anderson. Unfortunately, Saturday March 7, Gary lost his long battle with heart disease.
Anderson had been involved in the automotive hobby his entire life and was one of the founding members of ARMO, an active member of NSRA, NHRA, Goodguys, AACA and many trade organizations. He was also an avid drag racing fan and participant; attending his first national drag racing event in 1960 at the NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis, an event he attended with his father. Anderson’s love for speed continued his entire life, as owner of SoffSeal he helped catapult Rob Vandergriff and his 1957 Chevrolet Top Sportsman car to becoming one of the first Pro Mod cars in existence. The duo went on to set numerous national records and held the title as “Worlds Fastest 57 Chevy” for many years. His dedication to the sport and promotion of Pro Modified cars is reflective in their popularity today. His days on the track were some of his finest.
His business successes paralleled his on track successes. SoffSeal’s constant “Attention to Detail” was more than a company slogan, it truly was how Gary lived his life. His peers honored him in 1999 as the ARMO Person of the Year. The national Race Against Drugs program has also honored him for his years of tireless dedication to the youth in the racing hobby. There is no way to express the ways that Gary Anderson affected the automotive hobby, his contributions were far and wide and the number of lives he touched was vast. Everyone at SoffSeal will miss him, and in his name the company will continue to provide the level of service and quality of goods that Gary would expect. We appreciate your thoughts during this time of loss for our company, our family and our hobby.
Services will be held this Friday in Cincinnati. Calling hours will be from 10-12 at the Dalbert, Woodruff, and Isenogle funeral home at 2880 Boudinot Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45238. Gary will be laid to rest immediately following a service at the funeral home at the Arlington Memorial Gardens at 2145 Compton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that if you desire contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or the Lifelink Department of the Tampa General Hospital in Gary’s name.
