Memories of Gavin E. Riches

In memory of

Gavin E. Riches

Fort Myers, Florida

November 22, 1955 - January 9, 2021

Nov 22, 1955 - Jan 9, 2021

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Daniela Boesshenz

Dearest Amy, I am so very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
What an amazing person and what a remarkable life.
Race In Peace, Gavin.

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Wayne Press

My heartfelt condolences to Amy and family .
I only knew Gavin for a relatively short time
But due to his easy going manner and enthusiasm for Porsches he got me involved again after many years away from the track. He will be missed .
Rest In Peace Gavin.

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Peter Pietruszko

My sincere condolences to Amy and family, we will miss Gavin,
Peter Pietruszko

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Gaile Johnson

Owen and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend, Gavin. He was a great guy and meant so much to so many. While planning a trip to New Zealand 10 years ago, he told me that being in New Zealand was like Christmas every day. I realize now that Gavin was our Kiwi Christmas gift. We will miss him terribly and are so very grateful he entered our lives.

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Vilem Rosenberger

I have a pleasure working for Gavin
He was one of the hardest working guys I know and great race car driver. Always sharing his knowledge about his passion for the car industry and racing.
He will greatly missed.

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Dave Noelken

Caryl and I are very sorry to hear this sad news. Gavin was a man who lived life to the fullest. He was a friend to Everglades Region PCA and the entire Porsche family. His passion and kiwi voice will be missed by all who knew him. God Speed!

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Paul Ingebrigtsen

I first met Gavin as a customer, then had the pleasure of working for him and Amy at Autoquest. Gavin’s passion for Porsches and driving was intense and his extensive knowledge was awe-inspiring. I saw daily his dedication to Amy, his family, and his customers. He had a deep curiosity for all things mechanical and was a keen observer. I will miss his quick wit, practicality, and generosity with his knowledge. The PCA world has lost a legend. It was a privilege to be his friend and I will miss our rambling conversations while we set the world to rights.

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Owen Johnson

For me Gavin was a mentor, motivator, friend and an inspiration well beyond race car activities. However, in a car he was beyond normal human capabilities especially in a rally car with Amy as the courageous navigator. We will miss him every time we climb into a car or visit Sebring where he was king.

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Ron and Amy Howard

Gavin will be missed, his enthusiasm for all things Porsche, his eagerness to help out, his impressive driving skill, the list goes on and on. I have many fond memories of track walks, dinners at the Inn on the Lakes, but mostly as a passenger when he was on the absolute edge through Bishops Bend. We are lucky to have been able to spend time in the company of such a remarkable person. Sincerest condolences to Amy and the entire family.

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Norman and Janice Lipack

Gavin was a terrific guy, we had many dealings with him since 2000, when we first moved here. We are very sorry to hear of his passing.

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Erica Edwards

I owe so much of my passion for Porsche and other "really cool cars" to Gavin, let alone dedicated work habits. Thank you for giving me so many opportunities during my time at AutoQuest and friendship afterward. You will be missed.
Amy and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let me know if I can help in any way.

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Comments:

Erica Edwards

My favorite memory with Gavin was going for a ride in the Ford GT (2004-2006 body style) on the streets across... Read more My favorite memory with Gavin was going for a ride in the Ford GT (2004-2006 body style) on the streets across from AQ. Dang,... Read more My favorite memory with Gavin was going for a ride ... Read more

Chris Speake

In the short time I knew Gavin, I found him to be knowledgeable, passionate, and honest. I will miss the opportunity to get to know him better. My sincerest condolences to Amy and family.

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Wayne Bauman

Such a wonderful human being and such a loss for our community. His best advice to me was “you bought your car to drive it so drive and enjoy it” And so that is what we are doing. Wayne and Mary Louise Bauman

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Robert Zivkovic

Amy and family,
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Gavin was loved and admired by many of us. For me personally, I loved his willingness to share his deep knowledge any time. I loved the long conversations that would meander and always leave me wanting for more. In addition to his knowledge, I always felt safe taking my car to the track knowing I had an honest smart team looking out for me. It is hard to find people left like Gavin, a giving, knowledgeable, and humble sole. I have no doubt he is in a better place looking down on us with his comfortable smile and knowing eyes. God bless Gavin and God Bless you all.
Love,
Rob Zivkovic and Family

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Scott & Lynn Morrison

Moved to Florida and saw AutoQuest on 41. Having been a long time Porsche and BMW enthusiast and owner, stopped in to check out the dealership. He sold an E46 M3 for me and we did several car deals over the years. I worked part time in marketing for Gavin for about a year. Always enjoyed talking with Gavin. He will be dearly missed....

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In response to "How did you first meet Gavin?"

Robert & Dante Tornello

We will be forever saddened by the sudden loss of a friend and mentor to so many of us at PCA.
His devotion to his family and grandchild touched us all, as his devoted love of them was clear to friends at every moment, they were his life.
Words can't express the pain or heartbreak those in his family are experiencing, we as friends can only say, he was a great man, loved and respected by all, shared his passion and knowledge with us unselfishly, and we who knew this wonderful soul will be forever enriched by his kindness, he will be in our hearts forever. God speed Gavin

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Tony Lucas

Definitely honored and grateful to have know Gavin for now almost 20 years. I can still remember pulling into the lot with my 2001 z3 coupe looking for an m3 and the rest was history. Thanks again for your continued help and the education I received in our many conversations , you will be missed.

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Barbara & Dan Van Antwerp

We feel honored to have gotten to know Gavin. Enjoyed our conversations and he will surely be missed.

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Amy Riches

Comments:

Clark Hamerly

Amy - So very sorry to hear of Gavin's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult... Read more Amy - So very sorry to hear of Gavin's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Clark & Linda,... Read more Amy - So very sorry to hear of Gavin's passing. Our... Read more

Amy Riches

Comments:

Amy Riches

At home on his farm At home on his farm At home on his farm

Amy Riches

John & Valerie Petracco

We will miss you dearly Gavin. A man with a huge smile and a bigger heart. Your passion for life and your love of Porsche is unmatched. Our deepest sympathy and love to Amy and all your family and friends.

John & Valerie Petracco

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Bjarni Jonsson

I first met Gavin at his place of business to discuss the track “project” car I had just purchased from another company. I had been told if I wanted to have a discussion with someone with the proper knowledge, honesty and passion for anything Porsche related – Gavin would be the man. Gavin made me feel welcomed from the first moment I sat down with him. As I started to share my knowledge and Porsche passion, I quickly realized that whatever I knew about Porsche cars paled in comparison with what Gavin was all about, however, he never made me feel any less because of that. It was because of him that my passion truly started to come into focus and my priorities were set straight by Gavin. It is only because of him that I decided to buy my dream car from him and unload the project car – transaction that was so casual and straight forward – all due to the honesty Gavin displayed to me the whole time. Even though I only knew Gavin for a short time and was only able to meet with him on limited bases, he had a profound impact on strengthening my love and passion for Porsche cars. After I heard of his passing this past Sunday morning I went on the track and literally felt Gavin presence in the car with me, I did my best to drive the car the way he would want it to be driven. To his wife Amy and rest of his family, my wife Deb and I send you our sincere condolences.

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