Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Co-Chair Lorin H. Tryon Passes Away
18 February 1999
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Co-Chairman and Blackhawk Automotive Museum President Lorin H. Tryon Passes Away DANVILLE, Calif., Feb. 17 -- Lorin H. Tryon, Jr., one of the
world's most respected Classic Car aficionados, passed away on Friday,
February 12 at the San Ramon Valley Medical Center following a heart attack.
Best known and respected globally for his long-term leadership of the
prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Lorin was also president of the
renowned Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville, California.
A third generation Californian, Tryon was born in San Francisco in 1927;
he served in the United States Army ensued during the latter days of World War
II, and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley.
Lorin's fascination with automobiles began at an early age and was
fostered by his paternal grandfather's stature as one of California's first
auto dealers. At the age of seven, he was running his own 10 cent car wash at
his family's home which allowed him to drive cars back and forth to his
customers.
His life-long quest for "things automotive" was prompted by an insatiable
curiosity for the smallest of mechanical and construction details; his passion
for, and knowledge of, one-of-a-kind coachbuilt Classic Era cars led to his
collecting, exhibiting, and judging of these unique domestic and foreign
'rolling sculptures.' Lorin pioneered many shows and judged concours, both
nationally and internationally.
Lorin has been the driving force in the revitalization and continued
growth and popularity of the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance during
the past 27 years. Lorin and his friend J Heumann, the Co-Chairman of Pebble
Beach, were co-recipients of the Meguiar's Hobby Person of the Year Award in
1998.
"The loss of Lorin Tryon, my friend for 40 years and my partner at Pebble
Beach for 27 years cannot be filled," said Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Co-Chairman J Heumann. "I will miss not only his friendship and his humor,
but above all, his incredible knowledge of the collector car movement,
resulting from an entire life devoted to it."
"Lorin has been the guiding light for the Concours," said Pebble Beach
Concours d'Elegance Executive Director Sandra Kasky. "More than just a
leader, he was a mentor and a friend who set exacting standards that we
eagerly tried to meet and will continue to strive towards in his memory."
As president of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum, Lorin was responsible for
overseeing the 120-car exhibition and the Blackhawk Automotive Art Collection.
He was instrumental in organizing the Fifth World Forum for Motor Museums
conference for museum professionals hosted by the Museum in August, 1997; the
Museum's 10th Anniversary celebration and the extensive year-long programming
schedule associated with this anniversary last year; and, was most recently
involved with organizing the inaugural International Automotive Design Forum
at Blackhawk(R), scheduled for August 31-September 1, 1999 at the Museum.
"Lorin was the most gentle and compassionate human being I ever met," says
long time personal friend Don Williams. "I have been privileged to have
shared in his life for nearly 30 years. The collector car hobby has lost one
of it's finest. He was the "best friend" to so many people. We will forever
have a void with his passing but we have all gained by his presence. What he
showed us by example has made anyone who touched him just a little better
person."
Tryon is survived by his wife Dolores, his children Catherine and Bill,
and their extended families.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blackhawk Automotive Museum or
to the American Heart Association, 11200 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA 94605.
