DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

With great sadness I have to tell you that Mick (MT of this parish) passed away at the weekend. Garry Hall phoned to let me know this evening. Details are a little sketchy, but he was staying at his house in France last weekend, went for a run and it appears he suffered a heart attack.

For those who knew him, Mick was one of the reasons why I loved DDK. He was a self-taught metal working magician, well known for his fantastic restoration of 'the Doctors' Car', but for me he was the bloke who thought nothing of dropping everything to drive for an hour down to Bognor to help me out with a problem encountered when I was restoring my car. Or someone always happy to talk on the phone when I needed advice.

Perhaps what was less well know was that Mick was a keen naturalist, so he'd arrive at my place early, spend a couple of hours 'helping me' (i.e. sorting out my screw ups), and after lunch would go bird watching at Pagham Harbour.

His most recent project was to purchase several acres of Sussex countryside, and he was in the process of turning it into his own nature reserve, with ponds, woodland and a hide. I'd visited him only a couple of weeks ago, and had arranged to go see him again when the spring arrived and the wildflower meadow he'd sown was in full bloom.

I'm sure you've got your own Mick Temple stories, I for one am going to miss him hugely.

We're not sure what the situation is with funeral arrangements etc., Garry or I will let you know when things are sorted out.

Meanwhile our thoughts must be with his wife, Robyn, and his two daughters.


In sadness,


Charles

That's a great shock - terrible news.

My thoughts go out to his wife & family.

How sad

RIP Mick

Thought are with his family and friends

Terrible news. I didn't know Mick personally, but always enjoyed his posts and resto threads


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That is awful.
Really shocking news.
My thoughts go out to his wife & family.

shite. This is bad. Again I didn’t know Mick but his threads were inspiring.

Thoughts with friends and family.

Very sad.

He helped me out with quite a few odds and ends for my car and was always keen to offer advice.

Very sad news

I met Mick a few times and we swapped parts and advice; he came across as a very active no nonsense good guy who was making the most of retirement, far too young to pass.

Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Mick.

Dreadful to read this news....Mick was such a genuinely decent person.....full of passion and drive to just get stuck into things.....I will miss him....far too bloody young to be taken from us......

Very sad to hear this - really enjoyed his threads

Terrible news.

First met Mick at Classic Le Mans then also went to his house near Gatwick to deliver some parts. Real gentleman with a passion for his family and his cars. A wealth of knowledge, most of which was self taught.

He will be missed by us. Can’t imagine what his family are going through.

RIP Mick.

Never met or spoke with him but loved his threads
My Thoughts with his family and friends

Sad news, as others have already said I never met him but his resto threads were a great read.

What a great shock. I am deeply saddened although I only met him a couple of times briefly, the first along with Garry at a service station of all places, and he was the kind of guy you liked instantly. We spoke on the phone quite a few times and exchanged many emails since that first meeting. He was the type of chap that made you feel like you had know him all his life, accepted you as a friend right from the off, he was inquisitive, very knowledgeable, extremely competent and shared information freely and had a very amenable character. It is another one of those times when you feel he and his family have been robbed of many years of worthwhile life and happiness. I did not know his family but my heartfelt condolences go out to them all.

What terrible news........

Regards
Mike

Can't believe it. Such a great guy, and so talented. Nothing was too much trouble when I went to shoot his 911 for the mag. May you rest in peace.