NOTE: Dick Merritt while working for the NHSTA as a compliance officer crafted the "Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance rule", a/k/a the 25 year rule for importing cars.
Those that import 25 year old cars can thank this man for lobbying this rule through the NHSTA in 1988.
Dick Merritt truly was a "car guy".
Richard F. Merritt (Dick), passed away in his sleep from complications of cancer early Friday morning, March 12, 2021.
Mr. Merritt, born March 1, 1931, in Webster, Iowa, had just turned 90 years old.
At a young age Richard and his family moved from Iowa to Boulder, Colorado. In the early 1950's while in high school, one of his first cars was a 1932 Ford Roadster hot rod.
This car started him down the path of being a car enthusiast for many years to come.
Richard would attend the University of Colorado for an accounting degree in 1956 and an MBA in 1959. While in Colorado Mr. Merritt met and married his first wife, Donna Akins. Along the way Mr. Merritt served in the US Air Force in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. In 1958, they gave birth to a son, Kendall Merritt. Richard and Donna remained married until 1975.
Upon graduation in 1959, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Mr. Merritt worked for both Ford and General Motors in their design centers.
Mr. Merritt then sold new Porsche and Volkswagen automobiles as a full time job. As a hobby, he bought and sold used Ferrari automobiles and parts.
Most notably, Mr. Merritt was principal founder of the Ferrari Club of America in 1962 and co-authored with Warren Fitzgerald the first important book on Ferrari automobiles; "Ferrari Sports and Gran Turismo Cars" in 1968. Mr. Merritt authored two additional Ferrari books and co-authored a Porsche book with Susan Miller.
In 1973, Mr. Merritt and his family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. While in Florida he sold new Porsche automobiles at a local dealership.
After he divorced his first wife in 1975, Mr. Merritt moved to Washington, D.C. He represented a farmers' association of Iowa and Nebraska lobbying for ethanol production to be used in gasohol fuels. During this time he was commonly known as "Mr. Gasohol".
Mr. Merritt started his thirty five year career at the United States Department of Transportation as a Safety Analyst in 1983.
He was most notably known for working with the National Highway Safety Administration's Vehicle Compliance as their desk expert for cars and motorcycles imported into the United States. Mr. Merritt was known as "Mr. Gray Market." Mr. Merritt retired in November 2018, at the age of 87.
In 1993, Mr. Merritt married Swiss born Elisabeth Schuler, his constant companion. He enjoyed her multi-language ability, and she was his translator to car friends worldwide.
Mr. Merritt is survived by his wife Elisabeth Silvana Merritt and his son Kendall, daughter-in-law, Ruth (Soucier), and granddaughter, Riley.
A graveside service will be held on April 30, 2021, at Ketoctin Baptist Church and Cemetery, 16595 Ketoctin Church Road, Purcellville, VA.
Cards are being received c/o Merritt Family, Hall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 896 Purcellville, VA 20134.
An online obituary and guest book are available at www.HallFH.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard's name can be made to the American Cancer Society or Antique Automobile Club of America, Hershey, PA.
The Capital Gazette
March 19, 2021
Those that import 25 year old cars can thank this man for lobbying this rule through the NHSTA in 1988.
Dick Merritt truly was a "car guy".
Richard F. Merritt (Dick), passed away in his sleep from complications of cancer early Friday morning, March 12, 2021.
Mr. Merritt, born March 1, 1931, in Webster, Iowa, had just turned 90 years old.
At a young age Richard and his family moved from Iowa to Boulder, Colorado. In the early 1950's while in high school, one of his first cars was a 1932 Ford Roadster hot rod.
This car started him down the path of being a car enthusiast for many years to come.
Richard would attend the University of Colorado for an accounting degree in 1956 and an MBA in 1959. While in Colorado Mr. Merritt met and married his first wife, Donna Akins. Along the way Mr. Merritt served in the US Air Force in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. In 1958, they gave birth to a son, Kendall Merritt. Richard and Donna remained married until 1975.
Upon graduation in 1959, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Mr. Merritt worked for both Ford and General Motors in their design centers.
Mr. Merritt then sold new Porsche and Volkswagen automobiles as a full time job. As a hobby, he bought and sold used Ferrari automobiles and parts.
Most notably, Mr. Merritt was principal founder of the Ferrari Club of America in 1962 and co-authored with Warren Fitzgerald the first important book on Ferrari automobiles; "Ferrari Sports and Gran Turismo Cars" in 1968. Mr. Merritt authored two additional Ferrari books and co-authored a Porsche book with Susan Miller.
In 1973, Mr. Merritt and his family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. While in Florida he sold new Porsche automobiles at a local dealership.
After he divorced his first wife in 1975, Mr. Merritt moved to Washington, D.C. He represented a farmers' association of Iowa and Nebraska lobbying for ethanol production to be used in gasohol fuels. During this time he was commonly known as "Mr. Gasohol".
Mr. Merritt started his thirty five year career at the United States Department of Transportation as a Safety Analyst in 1983.
He was most notably known for working with the National Highway Safety Administration's Vehicle Compliance as their desk expert for cars and motorcycles imported into the United States. Mr. Merritt was known as "Mr. Gray Market." Mr. Merritt retired in November 2018, at the age of 87.
In 1993, Mr. Merritt married Swiss born Elisabeth Schuler, his constant companion. He enjoyed her multi-language ability, and she was his translator to car friends worldwide.
Mr. Merritt is survived by his wife Elisabeth Silvana Merritt and his son Kendall, daughter-in-law, Ruth (Soucier), and granddaughter, Riley.
A graveside service will be held on April 30, 2021, at Ketoctin Baptist Church and Cemetery, 16595 Ketoctin Church Road, Purcellville, VA.
Cards are being received c/o Merritt Family, Hall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 896 Purcellville, VA 20134.
An online obituary and guest book are available at www.HallFH.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard's name can be made to the American Cancer Society or Antique Automobile Club of America, Hershey, PA.
The Capital Gazette
March 19, 2021
NOTE: Dick Merritt while working for the NHSTA as a compliance officer crafted the "Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance rule", a/k/a the 25 year rule for importing cars.
Those that import 25 year old cars can thank this man for lobbying this rule through the NHSTA in 1988.
Dick Merritt truly was a "car guy".
Richard F. Merritt (Dick), passed away in his sleep from complications of cancer early Friday morning, March 12, 2021.
Mr. Merritt, born March 1, 1931, in Webster, Iowa, had just turned 90 years old.
At a young age Richard and his family moved from Iowa to Boulder, Colorado. In the early 1950's while in high school, one of his first cars was a 1932 Ford Roadster hot rod.
This car started him down the path of being a car enthusiast for many years to come.
Richard would attend the University of Colorado for an accounting degree in 1956 and an MBA in 1959. While in Colorado Mr. Merritt met and married his first wife, Donna Akins. Along the way Mr. Merritt served in the US Air Force in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. In 1958, they gave birth to a son, Kendall Merritt. Richard and Donna remained married until 1975.
Upon graduation in 1959, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Mr. Merritt worked for both Ford and General Motors in their design centers.
Mr. Merritt then sold new Porsche and Volkswagen automobiles as a full time job. As a hobby, he bought and sold used Ferrari automobiles and parts.
Most notably, Mr. Merritt was principal founder of the Ferrari Club of America in 1962 and co-authored with Warren Fitzgerald the first important book on Ferrari automobiles; "Ferrari Sports and Gran Turismo Cars" in 1968. Mr. Merritt authored two additional Ferrari books and co-authored a Porsche book with Susan Miller.
In 1973, Mr. Merritt and his family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. While in Florida he sold new Porsche automobiles at a local dealership.
After he divorced his first wife in 1975, Mr. Merritt moved to Washington, D.C. He represented a farmers' association of Iowa and Nebraska lobbying for ethanol production to be used in gasohol fuels. During this time he was commonly known as "Mr. Gasohol".
Mr. Merritt started his thirty five year career at the United States Department of Transportation as a Safety Analyst in 1983.
He was most notably known for working with the National Highway Safety Administration's Vehicle Compliance as their desk expert for cars and motorcycles imported into the United States. Mr. Merritt was known as "Mr. Gray Market." Mr. Merritt retired in November 2018, at the age of 87.
In 1993, Mr. Merritt married Swiss born Elisabeth Schuler, his constant companion. He enjoyed her multi-language ability, and she was his translator to car friends worldwide.
Mr. Merritt is survived by his wife Elisabeth Silvana Merritt and his son Kendall, daughter-in-law, Ruth (Soucier), and granddaughter, Riley.
A graveside service will be held on April 30, 2021, at Ketoctin Baptist Church and Cemetery, 16595 Ketoctin Church Road, Purcellville, VA.
Cards are being received c/o Merritt Family, Hall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 896 Purcellville, VA 20134.
An online obituary and guest book are available at www.HallFH.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard's name can be made to the American Cancer Society or Antique Automobile Club of America, Hershey, PA.
The Capital Gazette
March 19, 2021
Those that import 25 year old cars can thank this man for lobbying this rule through the NHSTA in 1988.
Dick Merritt truly was a "car guy".
Richard F. Merritt (Dick), passed away in his sleep from complications of cancer early Friday morning, March 12, 2021.
Mr. Merritt, born March 1, 1931, in Webster, Iowa, had just turned 90 years old.
At a young age Richard and his family moved from Iowa to Boulder, Colorado. In the early 1950's while in high school, one of his first cars was a 1932 Ford Roadster hot rod.
This car started him down the path of being a car enthusiast for many years to come.
Richard would attend the University of Colorado for an accounting degree in 1956 and an MBA in 1959. While in Colorado Mr. Merritt met and married his first wife, Donna Akins. Along the way Mr. Merritt served in the US Air Force in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. In 1958, they gave birth to a son, Kendall Merritt. Richard and Donna remained married until 1975.
Upon graduation in 1959, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Mr. Merritt worked for both Ford and General Motors in their design centers.
Mr. Merritt then sold new Porsche and Volkswagen automobiles as a full time job. As a hobby, he bought and sold used Ferrari automobiles and parts.
Most notably, Mr. Merritt was principal founder of the Ferrari Club of America in 1962 and co-authored with Warren Fitzgerald the first important book on Ferrari automobiles; "Ferrari Sports and Gran Turismo Cars" in 1968. Mr. Merritt authored two additional Ferrari books and co-authored a Porsche book with Susan Miller.
In 1973, Mr. Merritt and his family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. While in Florida he sold new Porsche automobiles at a local dealership.
After he divorced his first wife in 1975, Mr. Merritt moved to Washington, D.C. He represented a farmers' association of Iowa and Nebraska lobbying for ethanol production to be used in gasohol fuels. During this time he was commonly known as "Mr. Gasohol".
Mr. Merritt started his thirty five year career at the United States Department of Transportation as a Safety Analyst in 1983.
He was most notably known for working with the National Highway Safety Administration's Vehicle Compliance as their desk expert for cars and motorcycles imported into the United States. Mr. Merritt was known as "Mr. Gray Market." Mr. Merritt retired in November 2018, at the age of 87.
In 1993, Mr. Merritt married Swiss born Elisabeth Schuler, his constant companion. He enjoyed her multi-language ability, and she was his translator to car friends worldwide.
Mr. Merritt is survived by his wife Elisabeth Silvana Merritt and his son Kendall, daughter-in-law, Ruth (Soucier), and granddaughter, Riley.
A graveside service will be held on April 30, 2021, at Ketoctin Baptist Church and Cemetery, 16595 Ketoctin Church Road, Purcellville, VA.
Cards are being received c/o Merritt Family, Hall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 896 Purcellville, VA 20134.
An online obituary and guest book are available at www.HallFH.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard's name can be made to the American Cancer Society or Antique Automobile Club of America, Hershey, PA.
The Capital Gazette
March 19, 2021
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