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Stories about Steve
From:
Dean Kirsten
Just got word that Steve Rhoades passed away this evening. I've know Steve since the late '70s, when he was building so many of the VW-powered dragsters, and later on, the first VW Pro Stocks. Using the company name, The Frame Works, Steve's shop was originally located in El Cajon, Ca, but later on, moved everything to Phoenix, Arizona, along with his son Danny, daughter Wendy and former wife Robin. He was one of the most talented fabricators, welders, gun makers, racecar builders I've ever met. He even built a radio-controlled 1/4-scaled model of the Spirit of St Louis, which he flew just last year. Back in the 3Wheeling days, Steve built the first rising-link rear trailing arm for the ATC250R. He built the body for our Class 2 Project Odyssey, built dragsters for Keith Longergot, Dave Kawell, Lloyd Mosher, Scott Lauffer, Dave Folts, Skip Moore, Cory McClenathan's Ghia funny car, and so many more just in the VW industry. Damn, I going to miss him.. RIP Steve.
In memory of Scale Modeler and Friend to many, in our RC Aircraft & Drag Racing Family, Steve Rhoades. Steve tragically and unexpectedly passed away from a "sudden massive stroke" on January 4th. Some of you may have seen his beautifully detailed, scratch-built Ryan, his first attempt at scratch building. I photographed the maiden of it at AMPS when David Zarra flew it. I have known Steve for over 30 years. Steve was an innovator, craftsman, welder, machinist, gunsmith and founder/owner of Frameworks here in Phoenix, since 1979...and an extraordinary man and friend. Steve will be missed by many. RIP Steve... (If no one minds, I will leave this cover photo displayed for at least the next week, in his memory.) KJ
From:
Keith Seume
This is so sad. Too few people today realize what a debt of gratitude the scene owes to Steve and Frameworks for making exotic chassis cars mainstream. Such a great guy to deal with. My condolences to Danny and all the family.
From:
Reilly
This is for you Pop Pop. These past 18 years you always told me you had my back, and never let me forget it. On Thursday, I made sure I did the same for you and held your hand as you passed. That was a moment I will never forget. I will cherish the bond we had for the rest of my life. Thank you for being such an amazing role model, inspiration, best friend. I love you, and miss you like crazy. I am so proud and honored to be your granddaughter. Xoxo ❤️❤️
From:
Jenn Rhoades
When I first moved to Phoenix back in 2002, I spent many days with Steve. I worked at The Frame Works and shared an office with he and Danny. We spent almost every day together until Steve retired. No matter how busy we got, we always made a point to stop what we were doing and go to lunch together. For years, we never missed our lunch. Danny and I would always laugh because Steve would take a bite from whatever we ordered. It didn't matter what you were eating, he would walk in and take a bite. Danny and I went out of town one weekend and bought some Harry Potter Jelly Beans. If you haven't heard of these... they are the most disgusting flavored jelly beans you can imagine. Vomit flavor, booger, earwax, rotten egg, etc. We brought them back to work and put them in a candy dish in the office, knowing Steve would take a handful. He couldn't help himself. LOL! Danny and I still laugh hysterically to this day as we recall the look on his face as he walked into the shop with a mouthful of those jelly beans. That was my favorite thing about Steve - he was ornery and had the best sense of humor. I'm sure he got us back after that prank. I'll miss his big heart and warm hugs. I had so many things I wanted him to teach Cooper and Indy. Life is short. The best lesson he taught us... enjoy today.
From:
Danny Rhoades
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have to inform you that my dad, Steve Rhoades passed away on Thursday, January 4th. He suffered a stroke and had to undergo immediate emergency surgery. Unfortunately, he never regained consciousness post surgery. I along with the rest of our family were able to be by his side when he passed.
My father started his race car building career working for Byron Blair’s chassis shop during the late 60’s, early 70’s. During that time, he honed his tremendous fabrication skills while working on the top drag race cars of the time. My Dad is credited for building the hand formed body on Don Garlits’ first rear motor dragster. Easy to say, that car is one of the most famous cars in Drag Racing history.
In 1972, he ventured out on his own and started our family business, The Frame Works which until 1984 was located in the San Diego area. In 1984, my family packed up and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout the years my father was responsible for building just over 400 race cars, a majority of which were dragsters. He never liked building the same thing over and over again so those cars varied from VW powered sand dragsters, to Top Fuel Funny Cars and everything in between. Cory McClenathan, Chuck Beal, Mark Niver, John Geyer, Tom Haner, Bill Kent, Tate Branch, Brian Hyerstay, Dennis Smiley, Terry Gordon, Jack Jones, Joe Mozeris and hundreds of others were not only valued customers, but long lasting friends of my dad.
During the late 80’s I joined him at The Frame Works, working alongside each other. Together, we built a couple different Comp cars that we also raced together. The first car was an AA/A with a 302ci blown gas engine that we later ran as an A/EA for a couple of races too. The last car we raced together was an F/D that was powered by DOHC 122ci Dodge Neon engine. Most of the time it was just him and I traveling around the country together to the races. Those were some of the best times of my life!
My dad retired from our business somewhere around 2004. Being retired did not slow him down. He hit another one of his passions full steam ahead. That passion was guns. In a short amount of time, he made a name for himself in the black powder cartridge Buffalo style rifle community. He shot in competitive matches and was responsible for putting on shooting matches at the local Phoenix shooting range. In his “spare” time he just liked making things. From custom motorcycles to furniture for his grandkids. He even restored a late 1800’s chuck wagon and competed in chuck wagon cook off competitions. He later sold that wagon and it’s now a center piece in a wagon museum! His latest creation was a 1/4 scale (12ft wingspan!) replica of the Spirt of St Louis with a 7 cylinder radial engine! As soon as he finished the plane and it flew, he was already planning the next project. This trait along with his knowledge and incredible talent is something I will always strive for.
My dad was the person I looked up to the most. He taught me the value of hard work and instilled a zest for adventure in me which I will work hard to pass on to my children. He was my best friend... life just won’t be the same without him!
From:
Jim Kidwell
Years ago at the Black Powder Nationals in Raton, NM, Steve had what he thought was a heart attack. Thank God it was his gall bladder. I stopped at the hospital to visit him and cheer him up. Pretending I didn't know he was out of danger, I asked him if I could have his rifles, since he wouldn't need them anymore. Needless to say it started the following years of a back and forth sparring match on the gun forums. Some even thought we were serious. It was a blast. His humor was one of a kind, and you always knew where you stood with Steve. I will miss my friend a lot.
From:
Erik Rhoades
In times like this its common to tell a story about a loved one that can be shared to all. I’m sure there are hundreds of Steve Rhoades stories, the best ones I bet occurred much before my time. Instead of a story to share, I can think of two life lessons that hold true to this day that I learned from Steve. Lesson one, even though you may disagree with the police, keep your damn mouth shut about it. When I was a know it all 18 year old, I got into a fender bender and Steve happened to show up to the scene which was a block from the shop. I was ok, but being a know it all little prick I expressed my distaste of the length of time the officer was taking giving me back my identification and insurance papers. Well the officer heard me and decided to write me a nice little ticket. Steve nicely pulled me aside and told me in a nice way to essentially shut my pie hole when dealing with police because they can ruin your day if they want. Since that day 16 years ago I have always kept that lesson in the back of my mind.
Lesson number two. Now this wasn’t some epic speech about life, hell Steve didn’t even say a word, but it was what I observed. Steve was a talented man, creative and went all in when it came to something he loved. Steve took me shooting a few times, each of those times, Steve showed up at the butt crack of dawn to the house ready to rock and roll. The first time I was thinking, “oh, we will go shoot some paper targets and head back after a couple of hours”. WRONG. When Steve goes shooting it’s the real deal. Guns, home made ammunition, steel targets (made by Steve) and all the
works. When we got there you could see him light up like a fat kid at a candy store. He introduced me around and we had a blast. The takeaway from all of this, which didn’t immediately resonate until years later is DO WHAT YOU LOVE and you will be happy. Steve loved creating things and boy was he good at it. As I get older that thought becomes more prevalent in my head. Its something we don’t focus on enough. Because of him, I will never forget.