Ronald Charles Grable

Ron Grable passed away on October 31, 2018 in Prescott, AZ. He was born in 1933 in Sullivan, Indiana to parents William and Ruth Grable, and grew up in the Indiana bible belt.

He joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Philippine Sea, during the Korean War. After the Navy he attended University of California San Diego where he earned a BSME in Mechanical Engineering. He spent the next 40 years in California, where he worked for various companies in the semiconductor industry, and in his spare time discovered a love for auto racing, motorcycle riding and flying. 

His racing exploits ranged from the purest amateur status to international professional, in a wide variety of cars. His racing career stretched for more than 25 years, and featured competition in sports cars, prototypes, stock cars, and Indy cars, with racing in every discipline, imaginable. He raced in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, England, France, Italy, and the United States. He earned 3 National Championships, plus numerous Regional and Divisional Titles. Along the way he was married for 6 years and had two wonderful children. 

After hanging up his racing helmet in 1989, he started a new career in automotive journalism, as technical editor of Motor Trend Magazine. In this capacity he was responsible for testing, analyzing and reporting on all the varied products of the automobile industry. During this period he also revived his interest in aviation, and began flying in aerobatic competitions. Eventually leaving Motor Trend he began of freelance journalism, writing for various Aviation, Automotive and Motorcycle magazines. 

In 1993 Ron was injured in a motorcycle testing accident and was forced into retirement. He later married his longtime girlfriend Sandra, whom he had known since 1973, they settled into a quiet peaceful life in Prescott, enjoying the proverbial “happy ever after.”

Ron is survived by his wife Sandra and son Christian, daughter Stacia, and granddaughter Alexandra, plus brother Dennis Grable and sister Victoria Allen.

Private services will be for family only. Pleas honor Ron’s wishes by donating to the Humane Society.