Dear friends,
Steve and received the following e-mail from the sister of David VanAmburg (wamu1david), long-time forum member. David passed away this week and had left instructions for her to contact the forum for help regarding his coach. We are in contact with Marta to see how best the forum can help.
My brother, David VanAmburg, owned a ForeTravel coach. We just found out tonight that he has passed away in Tucson. He left specific instructions that through this forum, I was to find a qualified driver to help us move the coach to a dealer to sell. Please help with appropriate contact information. Thank you.
Marta Koenig
I am sorry to hear about his death, I don't know him but I am impressed that he thought enough of this group to make such a request.
I live in GA and have no reason to be in AZ so I can't help, would if I could. Hopefully someone in AZ will take this on.
Gary B
What a shame. I would certainly help with the driving but really have no chance as we are pretty tied up and with going over to Mexico right after Q. Maybe Carol can see if Hadfields are available. Does she have any idea of what they want for it as maybe the Forum has someone interested. If possible try and find out some info as I could drive the car from Q as tucson is close early next week and move it for them unless some one is closer.
Just trying to help
JohnH
We just have the one e-mail so far; I will keep everyone posted when we hear back from Marta.
We are in Q will be here a couple weeks, we could drive over to Tuscon and move the coach to a dealer.
Roland
Please find out first what they (if she has any idea of course) on what price they have in mind or of course this could be the reason to take it to a Dealer, but we all know what they will be like especially if they know it is a settlement of estate.
JohnH
Obviously sorry to hear this, but glad that he left her instructions to contact all of us on Foreforums for assistance. We are undoubtedly too far away to help, but we are certainly praying for the family.
If they would be willing to let MOT handle it, they would send a driver.
Need to determine if they want to just dispose of it locally.
This is the information that he has on the members list.
Foretravel Coach:
U320
Coach Year:
1999
Coach Length:
42
Coach Build Number:
5389
Fulltiming:
Yes
This might help someone that is looking for a coach.
We will be in the area around Feb. 15th and would be pleased to help. ;D
Sorry to read this. Prayers for David, and his family. Rest in peace David.
Raymond
Met David last year in Tucson. He seemed very healthy and spry. VERY surprised to hear this news. Very nice guy to spend some time with. He was in Justin's Diamond J RV park in West Tucson when we met him and I heard he was back this year.
Kent & Peggy Speers were just left that park a few days ago to met us here in Phoenix. Jeff & Carol Savournin (live in Tucson) just left today for Quartzite I believe. I'm still in Phoenix planning to leave for Quartzite tomorrow.
I'd be willing to drive down to Tucson to help. Any idea how soon they need it moved?
see ya
ken
Looks like she has lots of help so maybe a couple of us "or" can go together. I would like to see it as you never know!! if price is right? Only down side is canadian $ is US+20%
JohnH
I am in west Texas and would be able to help if need be. I am also interested in the coach. I have been looking for a 42 ft non slide for a while now. Condolances to the family.
I believe that Dave was paid up at Justin's RV Park until March. I have asked Susan Beaman to tell Christine (the owner) that there are several of us who have made ourselves available to help as soon as we are back from Q. Dave's sister is coming from Washington to make the coach ready, but I do not know the timing. His dog was taken to a shelter by the Sheriff, awaiting some sort of placement (hopefully). That is all I know for now.
For anyone interested in his coach... Dave was meticulous to the nth degree. The gel coat is polished like a diamond, the mechanics are all tended to. He was one of those guys!
I noticed in a couple of his past posts that David mentioned having paint done at Xtreme - could be either painted graphics or FBP on that coach.
I have not heard back yet from Marta. When I do I will let her know we have a number of folks willing to help and at least one potentially interested in the coach as well.
Sorry to hear. If we lived closer, we would like to help with the dog as well. Hopefully folks in the area can check into the dog at the shelter.
Here you go, Jim (who posted the photos of multiple cracks)
Before I saw the sad news about Dave, I told you to keep looking. Well, you need to look no more. There was also a late 90's U320 just posted.
An update - I heard from Marta today. Her sister and brother-in-law should be there in Tucson today, she will be there Monday. Is there someone available now in the Tucson area who can go over the systems in a 1999 U320 with her brother-in-law?
"Hello Steve and Michelle,
Thank you for your response and your offer to help. My sister and brother-in-law are arriving in Tucson today from Seattle and my daughter and I will arrive on Monday. My brother-in-law is perhaps interested in purchasing the coach from the estate. So I am wondering if there might be a Foretravel owner in the Tucson area that could come to the Justin's Diamond J RV park to help my brother-in-law figure out all the ins and outs of operating the coach if he decides to purchase it. That would be a big help, as I promised my brother that we wouldn't try to operate the bus without qualified help because there are so many systems involved.
Thank you so much. I will be leaving tomorrow morning to drive to Tucson, but I will have my phone to receive and send emails or texts. Thank you again.
Marta"
I do have her contact information but am waiting for her permission to share it. I did let her know of the responses here and willingness to help, particularly that Carol had already made contact with the folks at the RV park.
I'am at Catalina State Park in Oro Valley right now. I could drive over to the coach if needed.
Al
The poor thing. I hope she finds a home soon. Obviously she's a good RV dog.
I also hope someone bails out his dog. Soon. She must be so puzzled and sad. Her master disappeared and strangers took her to a scary, noisy place. We already have two or I'd try to talk DH into rescuing her.
Deb
Update - I just spoke with Marta and she is there in Tucson with her sister. They have gotten into the coach and figured out which is the ignition key, although they haven't yet started the coach.
She is asking if there is an easy way to read out the engine hours on the coach. It's a 1999 U320.
Also, it does sound like they have decided to sell it. If there are serious inquiries besides Adam, please speak up.
Michelle,
On that '99/320 the engine hrs should be displayed on the window at the bottom of the tach.(you have to have the ignition key on and engine running would be best) Now for the disclaimer. If the tach has been changed out it will be off. If they have access to a silverleaf that gets the info from the engine ecm and can be a little off from the hour meter built into the tach.
Pamela & Mike
Thanks guys - I've e-mailed your post to Marta.
Did they bail the dog out of the shelter?
Marta didn't say anything about David's dog. I assume he still had Miss Dee, a Dalmatian who appears in the post below. I'll bet she would make a great traveling companion for another Fofum
A Foretravel dog,or 4 legged fuzzy person ? (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11932.msg61109#msg61109)
Should show on tach in bottom window when you have key on after test sequences
I spoke with Dave's brother-in-law today. The dog was put on a plane and has gone back to the original breeder. She is in great hands. I was so happy to hear that! ^.^d
Can't believe I was worrying so much about that dog. Thanks for the update.
Having had to find new home for my dogs a year ago I was affected by that poor dog being stranded. Yeah I know I am a big tough sob that does not show any emotions. Whoever arranged for that dog to fly back home gets a gold star in the afterlife, flying a dog is expensive and complicated., You can't just drop the dog at departure gate and wish him a good flight. I am glad to hear that he will not end up in a county pound.
Gary B
My Condolences to David's family. I hope the breeder finds a really good home for his pet and friend.
RIP.
Our condolences to his loved ones as well. So glad the dog has been taken care of!! Thanks Carol for following up.
I received this from Marta this morning. Thank you everyone who is helping her, either directly like Carol S. or through the forum like Pamela and Mike.
"Thank you Michelle. Your help is so very appreciated. That helped confirm the engine hours. David said we would find caring helpful folks on the Foretravel Forum and you have proved him right.
Thank you again.
Marta Koenig"
I an very sad to hear this news, our prayers go out to all the family and friends. I know I am somewhat late with my response, I just don't get on the forum regularly. I however, would like to post for anyone in the future, that would be in need of having their coach moved. To feel free to contact me via email or phone. I have 34 years of driving tractor trailer cross country. I have pulled all types of trailers, Long, short, and multiple. I have experienced a lot of equipment problems to include steering tire blow outs at 70 MPH. In short, I would be happy to help anyone in this type situation regardless of their location. You can contact me at jdent2@verizon.net or Home phone 814 542-8969 or cell 814 386-1248.