Phil waddell
1953 - 2018
Phillip Eugene Waddell
The Ridge Runner Corvettes family lost one their own when Phil Waddell passed away on October 28, 2018.
Phil was a man devoted to his wonderful wife. He was a man who loved his Corvettes AND his cats. He loved taking fishing trips with his nephews every year. Phil was a member and huge supporter of the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. Phil LOVED participating in car shows in the Upstate and beyond - EVERY weekend. If there was a car show going on, more than likely you would find him there.
Phil was a member of Ridge Runner Corvettes from its beginning in 2015. He also maintained memberships in the North Carolina clubs of Henderson County Corvette Club and Rutherford County Corvette Club. He actively supported each club and its members.
As we said: HE LOVED CORVETTES,
Phil touched many lives in his time with us on this earth. He was a kind and gentle man - a true peacemaker. He was always ready and willing to help others in any way he could, in any situation.
We were all proud, honored, and blessed to call Phil our friend.
Car Show Chair
Phil was the Ridge Runner Corvettes car show chair in 2017, and he graciously stepped in mid-year of 2018 to chair another successful show. But that was Phil - always willing to help whether it was the club, a member, a friend or a stranger. Sadly, Phil was hospitalized immediately after the 2018 car show Phil and passed away 15 days later. His giving nature and wise council will be missed.
The 2019 Ridge Runner Corvettes car show was dedicated to Phil’s memory
Phil presenting the Best in Show - Champion trophy at the 2018 car show
Phil presenting the Truck - Best in Show trophy at the 2018 car show
Phil presenting the Best in Show - Chevy trophy at the 2018 car show
Phil presenting the Best in Show - Corvette trophy at the 2018 car show
Phil presenting the Best in Show - GM trophy at the 2018 car show
Phil presenting the Best in Show - Chevy trophy at the 2018 car show
Phil presenting the Club Member - Best in Show trophy at the 2018 car show
Find Waldo, I mean Phil. He's in the red shirt walking away from the camera.
Find him in this one? He's in front of the Service Dogs for Veterans canopy.
Last one. He's just to the left of the right lamp post.
Phil loved the National Corvette Museum. He led any willing members on, what he called a pilgrimage, to the museum each year. With his southern roots, the trip always stopped in Nashville for an evening at the Grand Ole Opry before continuing on the museum the next day. While in Bowling Green, KY the group visited the museum, of course, but also toured the Corvette factory, and stopped at as many antique stores and junk stores as there was time for. Phil was always collecting something.
With that in mind the club and it’s members purchased a brick a the National Corvette Museum in his honor.
If you visit the museum, look for his brick in section W7.
This the mock-up the club designed and sent to the museum for the brick
And, this is the brick
Phil's brick after it was placed in section W7 of the walkway leading up to the museum. Notice the Ridge Runner Corvettes parking lot banner in the top right of the photo. Phil would have been so happy.
This picture was put inside a shadow box along with Corvette generation pins and presented to Phil's widow.