published: 2018-01-28 10:29:47 (31502) Author: Willy Wuyts |
EFRA President Dallas Obituary |
| The Funeral service will take place on Friday, 23th of February at 10.00 am. Location: OSTRA Eneby Church (just outside Dallas home town, Norrkoping) People who wants to attend to Dallas funeral should send a mail latest the 20th of February! To: norrkoping@fonusost.se Or by phone:+46 11 36 27 00 The funeral is 'open' but there is a register to fill in, if people want to attend. |
 ERHARD DALLAS MATHIESEN : 1948 - 2018 When describing a person as being 'Larger than Life', the words are usually used metaphorically. But when describing Erhard 'Dallas' Mathiesen using these words, it portrays a true description of the person. With the very sad and untimely news that Dallas Mathiesen passed away on Saturday, 13th. January 2018, 'The RC World' has lost; probably the most respected person in the World of Model Car Racing. Everybody that worked with him or knew him, simply referred to him as 'Dallas'. Whenever Dallas walked into a room or the venue of a Racing Event, his presence was immediately recognised. His 'tall frame' with the long fair hair and large size spectacles made him stand-out from other people and with his deep voice and the very strong hand-shake, Dallas always commanded respect. His attention to detail, his intensive work ethic and his continuous search to be 'fair to all' resulted in him being accepted as a natural leader and at times a formidable character. Whilst visiting family in the UK during the week leading to his death, Dallas became unwell. Whilst initially seeming to recover, he then ceased to respond to the treatment being given and passed away peacefully at 17:00 on the Saturday evening. His daughter was by his side. Dallas was 69 years old at the time of his death and leaves his wife Carina along with children Maria, Fredrik, Christine and Therese and six grandchildren. Throughout the majority of his life, Dallas worked with the younger generations, helping them along the correct path in life. He worked as a director of the Ektorps Fritidsgård youth centre for 43 years. He has meant a great deal to several generations of children and indeed to their parents. Under the guidance of Dallas, many children have been taught the way forward to a new and safer future. Dallas was always careful to be honest when dealing with children and all persons in his other activities in order to earn their respect. He was always available for advice when it was needed. The youth centre where he worked was like a 'second home' with his constant presence and long working hours, often until late in the evenings. Two years ago he retired. From interviews at the time, it was clear that he found it difficult to walk away from a lifetime spent in this work. Clearly, he would have liked to have continued his work at the youth centre, which also included working with handicapped children. But the retirement did not last long, as the authorities in Sweden requested he take on a new role of looking after refugee children with no parents, that had arrived in Sweden. Outside the 'day-job', Dallas has been known throughout the world of Model Car Racing for almost all of his life. Indeed, many people within this community cannot remember the Sport without Dallas being involved. Dallas gave so much of his life to Model Car Racing and the innumerable friends he made all over the world will mourn the loss of someone very precious in today's world. Dallas first started in the sport by racing 1/8 Off-Road Gas Cars himself, with his son soon joining him racing the cars. Dallas soon recognised that his administration skills could be put to good use within the sport and soon became involved with the Swedish Federation for Model Car Racing. The desire 'to make things better for all' lead to him becoming involved with the sports International Organisations of EFRA and IFMAR in 1992. Dallas was general secretary for EFRA for 10 years, and then assumed the position of EFRA President from Nov. 2003. The need to co-ordinate the World Organisation to a higher level, resulted in Dallas also assuming the role of IFMAR President in 2005. Dallas retained the position of President in both these organisations at the time of his death. The contribution that Dallas has made to the sport of Model Car Racing is unprecedented. His immense knowledge of the sport, the people involved, the rules and procedures required, will leave the sport of Model Car Racing much poorer and with a very large void to be accommodated. When at meetings:- He always steered the delegates to take the best decisions and directions. When at events:- He was always looking to ensure fairness to all and specifically that; sponsored competitors should not be given precedence over private competitors. For all persons:- Dallas was always available and keen to give advice when needed. But most important:- Dallas was always aware of the facts surrounding any event and would usually be the first to recognise if any problem or issue needed attention. Despite entertaining everyone with his acute difficulty in pronouncing the word 'unanimous' at an EFRA AGM, Dallas did in fact enjoy a commanding knowledge of the English language, this being his second language. His command of words (but not always in the correct order) gave confidence to those who dealt with him and his manner of explaining what was required always resulted in respect from those persons. His support, advice and help to the persons working with him was always an inspiration. His technical skills relating to the cars he so much liked to watch racing was not really evident, but he made up for this with his skills on a computer and the work he did to portray the sport on websites. Dallas travelled the world every year to officiate at meetings and events. It included all parts of the globe every year and encompassed attending events in all classes of Model Car Racing. As President of IFMAR and EFRA, he was expected to attend events. But simply being in attendance as 'The President' was not enough for Dallas and he always felt he should also take an active role in the event and would usually contribute as a Referee at the events he attended. Nothing gave Dallas more pleasure, than seeing a very young competitor achieve good results. But he was very much aware, that there was often 'pressures to achieve' and would always keep a watchful eye on the mentors of the younger competitors to ensure their enjoyment of the sport was not destroyed. Dallas was always a person that was good company to be with in the evening bar after the work had been completed. His distinct brand of humour and his ability to invent amusing 'off the wall' scenario's or jokes always maintained the interest of all present. And of course, he had to accept the jibes relating to the large quantities of gum he chewed. But, even during the relaxation hours at the end of a day, Dallas was always acutely aware if an issue of a serious nature needed attention and would act accordingly. A man who gave so much, but asked for little in return. A good friend that was totally committed to all that he embarked on and always had the best interests of people and the sport of Model Car Racing in mind, at home and at an International level. The advice and humour from Dallas will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all colleagues within the Sport he gave so much to. There will only ever be one Dallas Mathiesen. All the officials within EFRA and IFMAR recognise the great loss resulting from the passing of Dallas, affecting all persons that worked with him, but especially to his family and friends at home in Sweden. |
