Congratulations to Alan.  Great deed, generous, inspirational deed.  A fine
example.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Golen" <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 2:29 PM
Subject: The Power of the List - Thank you Alan Bosch!!

> Hi All,
>
> Ordinarily I'd send this directly to Alan, but I felt this had to be done
> via the list....
>
> My oldest son Erik is at RIT in Rochester, NY (about 420 miles from
> home)....and of course he drives a VW, specifically an 84 Vanagon (his
> other car were my old GTI and a 78 bus which caught fire). Last week he
> called to tell me that the front brakes were grinding, and that he went to
> Monroe Brakes to get an estimate. Well, they told him that he needed a
> complete brake job - $800+.
>
> I suggested that he take out his Bentley manual and do it himself.
> Unfortunately, Erik hasn't quite the same mechanical genes as his father.
> So I suggested that he contact Alan Bosch.
>
> We met Alan Bosch a couple of years ago for breakfast in Rochester (along
> with Joel Cort). It was one of those "is there any one on the list in (you
> name the city)" type of get togethers. From time to time we've run into
> Alan....after I bought my 87 Westy, I found out that Alan had his sights
on
> the very same Westy...we bumped into eachother at Transporters by the
> Tunnel this summer...so I felt comfortable in sending Erik off to find
Alan.
>
> Erik emailed Alan, and Alan volunteered to help out....I told Erik to
> contact Bus Depot for the parts...which arrived on time (contrary to some
> of the postings on the list).
>
> Erik just called....he and Alan spent about five hours doing the front
pads
> and rear shoes. Erik is extremely happy to have new brakes and a new
> friend. (Interestingly enough it appears that Monroe only checked out one
> wheel when they did the "complete estimate")
>
> I'm of course extremely happy that he can safely drive his van around town
> again! I guess the bottom line is that this list is a wonderful resource,
> and its members are always there to lend a hand. Its folks like Alan who
> make it work!
>
> Alan, thank you for taking time out this weekend to help my son, I really
> appreciate your time and help!
>
>
> Ric