From Jerry Bramlett, NCRS member:

"Last Thursday, July 12, Mike Hunt was killed in a traffic accident while riding his motorcycle in Madison, Wisconsin. An SUV pulled out of a side street directly in front of him, and Mike had no opportunity to stop.

Mike was one of the most active NCRS members during the late seventies. His primary interest was in the 1956 and 1957 model years, but he also owned a 1966 big block coupe at one time. He was the first '56 - '57 editor for the Corvette Restorer Magazine. He also compiled and published the "Research Project: '56 - '57" that many restorers still read today.

Those of you who never knew Mike really missed a character. He had a rare combination of two attributes... humility and Corvette expertise. In addition to old Corvettes, he loved his special friend Ruth, vintage electric guitars, a particular '55 Chevy 4-door sedan (his first car), Native American culture, ice boat racing, old Playboy magazines, type-written letters, crotch rocket motorcycles, Oscar Meyer Weiniemobiles, Wagemaker aluminum boats, and of course his loyal Doberman companions. I was proud to call Mike my friend for the last 30 years. I will miss him greatly."


Obit:

Hunt, Michael MADISON - Michael Hunt, age 68, passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2007, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born Paul Michael Wellnitz, in Racine on April 29, 1939, the son of Paul Michael and Connie Linda (Heintz) Wellnitz. He went by Michael Wellnitz until a family divorce in 1950. He was then adopted by his stepfather, Dale A. Hunt and changed his name to Michael Hunt. Mike graduated from Burlington High School in 1957. He joined the U.S. Air Force Security Service in 1961, was a member of the U.S.A.F.S.S.?s first Vietnamese Language Course at the National Security Agency and served two tours of duty (1963 and 1964) in Vietnam, mainly on Nui Son Tra (Monkey Mountain), near Da-Nang. Mike married Kathy Schauf on June 22, 1968, in Burlington. He received an Honors degree in Political Science and International Relations from UW-Madison in January 1972. Mike began working for the state of Wisconsin in 1973 and retired from the Department of Transportation in 1998. His interests included several exceptional canine companions, Corvettes, sea kayaks, electric guitars and ice boats. Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman until 1959 and then he quit killing critters. Mike is survived by his sister, Mari (Dan) DiVarco; niece, J.J. (Eric) Frederickson; nephew, Chad Frederickson; grand niece, Ella; special friend, Ruth Gundlach; and his beloved canine companion, Roi. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Wellnitz; mother, Connie Hunt; step father, Dale Hunt; and brothers, Daniel and Jon. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, July 16, 2007, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Labrador Education and Rescue Network, PO Box 164, Island Lake, IL 60042. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434 www.cressfuneralservice.com

Sounds like he will be missed dearly..... May God rest his sole

Sounds like a great man and I can see he would be an interesting friend. I am an avid biker myself and have lost two good friends in the last two years in accidents identical to Mike's. I am angry that he had to go like that. Rest in Peace Mike.

Scott

Very sad to lose someone in such an abrupt way. Mike has made such a mark in our hobby. Also college educated after returning from 2 tours in Vietnam! And mustered all of this up after being adopted...what a great guy!!