Roy Ripple passed away in September 2021 at the age of 84. He was an automotive technician his entire life. He owned his own shop for years before his first and only venture into automotive journalism, with Motor Age magazine. In his youth, he was an avid drag racer and a good friend of Don Garlits. He raised four children, rode motorcycles, hunted deer, and loved to shoot trap. His son, Roy Dennis Ripple, now writes for Motor Age. You can see his work here.