RGeeProductions
05-15-2013, 01:08 PM
NASCAR winner Ken Schrader once claimed that there is a difference between a racecar driver and a racer. He said anyone could be a driver, but only those special few who “get it,” are racers. Former Islip Speedway drag racer and figure-8 driver Robert Dillner, Sr. agreed with that.
In the same vein, there’s a difference between a Husband and a lifelong best friend, a Father or a Dad and a Grandfather or a “Goofy Grandpa.” Dillner was always the latter lf each of those statements and anyone who knew him would agree with that.
Dillner passed away on May 9 at the age of 69 in North Carolina. Born in Jamaica, New York, he was a devoted son, brother, father and grandfather. He was a devoted husband of 46 years to Donna. He had a passion for all forms of auto racing and spent many nights at Islip competing with his drag cars or his figure-8 machines. He passed on that love for the sport to his sons Robert, Jr. and Matthew, who continue to work in the motorsports industry in North Carolina. Bob, Sr. would take his boys to tracks throughout the Northeast as they grew up, then helped his sons every opportunity he had when their “Long Island Trackside” television program became a hit in the Long Island racing circles. He was also the biggest fan of Speed51.com, the short track racing news website founded by his sons.
As his sons moved from Long Island to North Carolina to pursue their racing media aspirations, they brought with them not just Robert Sr.’s love for racing, but also a love for family. His mother and father, the late Hugo and Helene Dillner, were the inspiration for his life and shared many of the same values that he passed on to his family. Being a Grandpa was the most cherished part of his life. What started as being an integral part of his sons’ lives years ago continued with the newest generation of Dillners and Robert Sr. was there every opportunity he had to support his four grandchildren in every activity they participated in.
“Babe,” as Donna called him, Dad and Grandpa will be missed by all on earth, but the kingdom of heaven just gained another angel.
In the same vein, there’s a difference between a Husband and a lifelong best friend, a Father or a Dad and a Grandfather or a “Goofy Grandpa.” Dillner was always the latter lf each of those statements and anyone who knew him would agree with that.
Dillner passed away on May 9 at the age of 69 in North Carolina. Born in Jamaica, New York, he was a devoted son, brother, father and grandfather. He was a devoted husband of 46 years to Donna. He had a passion for all forms of auto racing and spent many nights at Islip competing with his drag cars or his figure-8 machines. He passed on that love for the sport to his sons Robert, Jr. and Matthew, who continue to work in the motorsports industry in North Carolina. Bob, Sr. would take his boys to tracks throughout the Northeast as they grew up, then helped his sons every opportunity he had when their “Long Island Trackside” television program became a hit in the Long Island racing circles. He was also the biggest fan of Speed51.com, the short track racing news website founded by his sons.
As his sons moved from Long Island to North Carolina to pursue their racing media aspirations, they brought with them not just Robert Sr.’s love for racing, but also a love for family. His mother and father, the late Hugo and Helene Dillner, were the inspiration for his life and shared many of the same values that he passed on to his family. Being a Grandpa was the most cherished part of his life. What started as being an integral part of his sons’ lives years ago continued with the newest generation of Dillners and Robert Sr. was there every opportunity he had to support his four grandchildren in every activity they participated in.
“Babe,” as Donna called him, Dad and Grandpa will be missed by all on earth, but the kingdom of heaven just gained another angel.