TOPEKA, Kan. (Aug. 14, 2017) -- The Sports Car Club of America® has learned of the passing of longtime member Sue Roethel. A member of the Washington D.C. Region, Sue died Friday, August 11 after a brief illness. She was 91 years old.
Sue joined the SCCA® in 1961 and was a member of the 2005 SCCA Hall of Fame class. She is one of only two members who earned three of the top SCCA awards: The Woolf Barnato Award for outstanding long-term contributions to the Club, The David Morrell Memorial Award presented to National Chief Stewards who exhibit outstanding performance and dedication to the sport, and The John McGill Award presented to those who made significant contributions to the Club Road Racing Program.
“Sue was always a steadying presence at the track,” said Lee Hill, SCCA Board of Directors Chairman. “There was never any question about her commitment to the Club – and her membership in the Hall of Fame is well deserved. She was a mentor to many and her impact on the Club will be lasting.”
Sue served as a regional leader, a divisional leader, an SCCA Runoffs Chief Steward, and finally as a National Office staff member in the Member and Regional Relations Department. The Washington D.C. Region created the Sue Roethel Award which is presented from time to time to a member of the Region whose lifetime record of service to the Region reflects dedication to the Region, its members, and its programs; who is always cheerful and ready to work, regardless of the nature of the job; and who displays excellence in everything he or she undertakes for the Region.
In a 1989 SportsCar Magazine article, Sue noted she did not see herself as a trailblazer or pioneer. “I’m not a feminist,” she said. “I have a lot of experience in region management and operations, as diverse a background as anyone. To me, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female; the work is going to be done. Females operate the same way and make the same decisions (as males do).”
SCCA President Mike Cobb, reflecting on Roethel’s amazing accomplishments, said Sue will always stand as a sterling example of what it means to serve the Club.
“Whichever position she held, Sue put her all into serving the members of this Club,” Cobb said. “Her attitude and approach to Club involvement was one we all should strive to emulate. As a community, we were so very, very lucky to have Sue in our lives. She will be missed, but her legacy will be felt for a long, long time.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Sue’s family and friends.
Photo Courtesy of the SCCA Archives
