Vern Racek

Born March 23, 1929, in Sauk City, WI, to Ludwig and Lorena (Grass) Racek. May 9, 2025, passed away in Denver, CO. 

Vern graduated from Sauk City High School in 1947 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to 1953, including an overseas assignment in Japan from 1948 to 1951. In 1953, he began training as a mechanic specializing in imported cars in Hoopeston, IL. A passionate motorsport enthusiast, he became involved in Midwest sports car racing and the 12-hour races at Sebring, FL. 

He married Mary Ellen Correll of Hoopeston in 1956, and the couple moved to Colorado in 1957. Vern joined the Porsche Club of America in 1959 and served as the national technical chairman in the early 1960s. From 1960 to 1965, he remained active in racing across CO, NE, KS, and OK, notably serving as crew chief for a Porsche 904 prototype during the 1964 Daytona Speed Weeks. 

Vern was a minority owner and the first employee of a Porsche-Audi dealership in Denver, where he worked as Assistant Service Manager. From 1976 to 1983, he also test-drove factory cars for Audi. 

His love of engines extended beyond cars to antique tractors. From 1984 to 1995, he participated in tractor pulls and shows in Colorado and Kansas. A lifelong learner, Vern amassed a large personal library focused on transportation—covering aircraft, automobiles, trucks, tractors, railroads, and construction equipment. 

As he aged, Vern ensured his collection found appropriate homes. Over 1,500 aviation books were donated to the Wings Over the Rockies Research Library at the former Lowry AFB in Denver. Around 150 railroad books went to the Colorado Railroad Museum, and over 

100 agriculture-related books were accepted by the Morgan Library, Colorado State University. The remaining 900 volumes were donated to Spaulding Trading and Distribution Company in La Crosse, WI. 

Vern was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his long-time companion, 

Alice Hawley of Sauk City, WI; daughter, Carol Racek-Zamora of Phoenix, AZ; and son, 

Christopher Racek of Clarksville, TN. He is also survived by grandchildren Andrew and Renee Racek, Miranda and Carissa Zamora, and great-grandchildren Grayson Kaneshiro and Arthur Racek. 

A private interment of ashes was held at the columbarium at Grace United Methodist Church in Denver, followed by a celebration of life at the local American Legion.