Larry Dent, an SCCA® member since 1963, passed away earlier this week.  Larry and his wife, Linda, were both inducted into the Sports Car Club of America® Hall of Fame this past January.

A member of the Fort Wayne Region, Larry began his involvement in the Club as a racer, where he and Linda met.  Over the years, the Dents helped design the SCCA Safety Steward program, a vital initiative that improved motorsports safety as a whole.

“Larry’s legacy is absolutely immeasurable,” said Lee Hill, SCCA’s Board of Directors Chairman.  “There is so much he did for this Club on both the national and regional level.  He made an impact on the way we conduct events, and acted as a mentor for so many people. Larry was just a great person.  So many great experiences to share, and a great storyteller to boot.  Saying he’ll be missed is truly an understatement.”

Since the late 1960s, Larry had been an SCCA Chief Steward.  He also served the SCCA for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors, and was a member of the Executive Committee, serving as liaison to the Competition Board.  Also, Larry served three years as Chairman of the Board for the SCCA Foundation, during which time he significantly improved the Foundation’s financial standing.

In 2008, Larry received the Woolf Barnato award, the top award for service to the Sports Car Club of America. Outside the Club, he also served as executive director of a collector cars museum in Auburn, Indiana, for five years. Additionally, Larry worked as a TV weatherman, was vice president of K&K Insurance, and retired from 3M as a technical sales representative for the printing products division.

Donations in Larry’s name can be made to the following organizations:

Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
601 Nobel Dr.
Fort Wayne, IN 46825

H.O.P.E. for Animals
1333 Maplecrest Dr.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
P.O. Box 2
Albion, IN 46701