RUDY LEGGET - one of the very nicest persons you could ever hope to meet, and an extraordinarily talented and helpful AquaHot serviceman, who has always done over the phone diagnosis for strangers without compensation, and his wife Carolyn lost everything yesterday when their full time coach caught on fire while driving from near Houston to Nacogdoches, Texas.
It was a complete loss for Rudy, 80 and his wife Carolyn, 76.
Rudy and Caroline lost all their worldly possessions, as well as all of Rudy's AquaHot tools and parts inventory.
Please consider helping Rudy and Caroline rebuild their lives.
https://gofund.me/046d7ab8
Thanks Jeff for the link. Many prayers for Rudy and Carolyn.
Now is everyone's chance to finally pay Rudy back for those free hours of tech support
Yes, it was not a pretty picture when we pulled up to the scene yesterday. Thankfully Rudy and Carolyn got out safely. The motorhome was a total loss. Here are some more pics
This is truly heartbreaking news...
I've moved the topic to Discussions for highest visibility to the entire Foreforums family.
Michelle
ETA - please respect that this is a very difficult time for Rudy and Caroline and refrain from speculating on or asking questions about the fire.
Incredible bummer. So sorry for your loss, Rudy and Carolyn. I know you guys have given a lot to the Foretravel family for many years.
Fire in a motorhome is something we all worry about. Looks as if it may have started midship, possibly kitchen?
As bad as it is, escaping with your lives and without burns is the most important thing.
Losing everything while full timing is just heartbreaking. So many things that are not replaceable.
Pierce and Gaylie
Terrible devastation. So sorry for this loss. It is everyone's fear, fire in a motorhome. I am sure we are all waiting to hear what caused this fire.
HORRIBLE LOSS!
Thank God you are both ok, physically.
I am sorry to hear this. Rudy has been incredibly proactive and selflessly helpful in the past. I am glad to give a little back. Prayers going out.
I just realized Rudy's super AH tester is gone.
I had a garage fire back in 2001 and my coach was one of things that burned up. But I still had a house to live in.
Ever since then I am afraid of fires.
So glad that no one was hurt. Prayers for Rudy and Carolyn. Rudy has always been a joy to talk with. Still haven't made my stop by for dinner invitation yet but will soon hopefully.
Well folks, I am homeless. BUT, I have help, assistance and support coming out of the woodwork. We have a place to stay courtesy of an RV friend. Carolyn and I are okay physically, but Carolyn is very stressed. Jo Newlin has been very helpful getting her through the stress of everything is gone. She is better today. Got the insurance claim started. Just going take some time. Thanks for all the kind thoughts and support that we have received
I talked with Rudy as soon as I found out the other day. They got out when they saw the smoke after hearing a noise and it was too quickly spreading and he could not go back in the coach for anything. They lost everything and as full timers that is really everything that they held dear. It is a sad day for them and we surely can all try to repay his kindness with some help.
Rudy, I do not know what it feels like to loose your home but I had lost a garage and a Foretravel in a fire. Glad you and Carolyn got out safe. When it come to your insurance take your time. Watch what you say to them. They will take anything you say and turn it against you. The insurance company had told us when we were listing our items in the coach to just take guesses. He used an example of say $50.00 in medicine cabinet. My wife started making a list of everything and where she thought it was. She would get up in the middle of the night and add to the list. As she had time she started going through Walmart and pricing everything out. We were surprised when items listed that the medicine cabinet was over $300.00.
I had the fortunate experience of spending part of a day going out on a service call with Rudy, the first time I met him in person. I learned a lot that day, and enjoyed his many stories, as well. When we were done, I told him I never could repay him for what I learned that day. He told me to "....just pay it forward...." and help someone in need one day.
We CERTAINLY will be doing that now.....for THEM.
So sorry this happened to you, Rudy. It will all work out, as long as you both are safe.
Glenn and Amy
So sorry to see this and hear about your loss. I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet but wishing you the best. Fire is one of my biggest fears. I hope all the donations help you get back on your feet as soon as possible! So glad you made it out ok.
We were going to make a donation to Rudy via Gofundme. They wanted $37.50 for themselves. I called Rudy and got an address as to where I could send him a check. I don't know if it would be a good idea to put the address here but if you message me I will send you the address.
Michelle, Is there someway I can post the address where only members see it and not the general public?
i have this posted on newellgurus as well. our guru gang love rudy and carolyn like family
Rudy Leggett (https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=7427)
tom and darlene mccloud tom@newellgurus.com
You do not have give GoFundMe anything, as you make your donation, you can dial it back from their suggested tip to zero if you choose.
Best Wishes to Rudy and Thanks.
I can't immediately think of a member-only location, so it is wise to not post the address yet. I'll see if there's a member-only section that could contain that information securely.ETA - okay, I signed out and it looks like the Fire Ring and Classifieds are blocked from view if someone isn't signed in (as is the Commercial Members' board). I'm going to do some brief testing so ignore my test posts here and in Fire Ring...
OK, if not signed in, topics and posts in Fire Ring are not visible, and a link to such won't show the contents of the topic or posts there. The general public/guests/Google, etc. will not be able to see it.I know in some situations a bank will set up a benefit account to accept checks (for example the account when Billy Jack's son was injured 11 years ago). That might also be an option (although I see from Herb's post below mine that the extra at GoFundMe can be adjusted
So glad Carolyn and Rudy are both OK.
God bless you Rudy and Carolyn
Rudy, we sent you a PM, please take it easy as you can on yourself....... Lynn Sickel
Rudy, our hearts and prayers go out to you and Caroline! We are so sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with borh of you.
Time to step up.... Period.
Our prayers go out to you and Caroline, so sorry for your loss. We all are here for you at some capacity, stay strong.
Here is a link to Rudy's address if you want to send a letter, and, or a check to help them out.
Log in (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=46418.new#new)
Dang! So sorry to hear. Glad you guys both got out safe.
You are both safe! That's all that matters at this point. God bless you both!🙏🏻
https://gofund.me/b8d9f0c5
Go Fund me page -
when they ask for a "tip" you can move the slide bar down to $0. you don't have to "tip" to donate on go fund me -
Tim
For those who haven't yet seen it on the GoFundMe page, Caroline has been hospitalized :( Please keep her and Rudy in your thoughts.
Prayers in this difficult time!
Here is another update.
Carolyn was put in the hospital Monday to deal with cheat discomfort and elevated heart enzymes. Bunches of different tests resulted in cardiologists want an angiogram and maybe a stent if a blockage is found. That is set for Wednesday at 11. So, let you know more then.
Thanks for everyones concern and support. It helps a bunch
We will be praying for you guys
Gosh Rudy, thanks for the update. Continued prayers for you both.
Willie and I have been praying for Carolyn (and You) and will continue.
I stumbled onto the report from Facebook. I had no idea and am devastated to hear about Rudy & Carolyn. We are praying for a good outcome for her. I've had the pleasure of talking with Rudy for several hours while working on my AH when I still had the rig. Rudy you are still the best and most giving person of your time and knowledge. I've been absent a lot from the forum, but I will keep up to date. I'm sure that there are many here who want to help, but you've got to let people know your needs as time goes on.
Larry
Have been thinking about you both today...
Rudy,
We have been off of the forum for awhile but we still don't forget the amount of time you spent with me on the phone helping me with my aqua hot. Sorry for what you and Carolyn are going through. Times like this are so difficult. Praise God you guys made it out safely. Everything else can be replaced. Prayers your way for Carolyn.
John & Carmen Morales
Latest news. Doc said the 2 stents were put in places with more than 80% blockage. That a real heart attack was looming. But everything should be fine now. Look like going home tomorrow.
Thanks so much for all the support you all have given. Bless this wonderful forum.
Rudy
Great news! Blessings sometimes come wrapped in interesting wrappings.
God bless.
Tim
That is wonderful news and we are happy for you guys and Carolyn especially
So glad to hear that her condition was caught early! Prayers out to you both.
Thanks for the great update on Carolyn
So glad to hear the good news on Carolyn.
Glad to hear you & Caroline are ok.
Hope she continues to feel better after her procedure.
Best news I heard today, hopefully tomorrow will be even better. So glad you caught it in time. ^.^d ^.^d
Praise the Lord.
Great news Rudy. So happy to see that the doctors were able to install stents for Carolyn's heart. Praise the Lord for doctors.
Rudy, very sorry to hear about this. The fact that Carolyn has an 80% blockage in one of her coronary arteries means that she could have occluded that at any time. Unfortunately I think the fire with the coach and losing everything was pretty much a stress test for her and it's good that you were near a doctor and a hospital. I'm sure the stress is heavy on you too my friend and so do not neglect your needs as well. As soon as you can take some down time to figure out where you're going to go from here. The most important thing is that you both got out and everything else is secondary.
Bob
So true. My father-in-law last month ignored the fact that he was having a heart attack. Waited three days before letting anyone take him to the emergency room. Now he only has 25% heart function and literally has ruined his life. Fire department will come out for FREE and check you for a heart issue. And if your actually are having a problem will cart you off. So glad you got her care and treatment
Rudy & Carolyn
So sad to hear this, and so much stress in such a short time!
Wishing you peace in this time of trouble.
Mike & Adrianne
How is Rudy and Carolyn doing. Have net heard anything lately.
Have they made any progress on a new coach and recovery from this setback. How is Carolyn doing with her heart problems?
Rudy posted in this thread earlier today.
This Forum is Filled With Awesome People!! (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=46423.msg472217;topicseen#new)
i was wondering if anyone has heard how Rudy & Carolyn are doing. Nothing I can find for the last 5 months.
We are doing fine, fixing heaters and attending No Rally rallies. Carolyn recovered from her two stents in a heart artery just fine. A friend needed to sell his 03 U320 4010 just as I needed one. We like it even better than the one we lost.
We currently plan to be at Stella Mare at New Years. So, see a bunch of you all there. Thanks for inquiring
All the best
Good to hear that from you Rudy. I"m happy that all is well with the two of you. I don't get on the forum very often since selling mine, but once in a while I like to peek and see who is still around.
Larry