Thank You From Irene Stengel and Family, at the East Coast Toy Soldier Show. Irene Stengel the wife of jophn Stengel Senior gave me a letter of thanks. She was taken back by the response to the passing of John Stengel Senior that you the readers gave. I have posted her letter below.
Thank You From Irene Stengel and Family The Letter
Dear Paul
I would like to thank those who responded to the article “The passing of John Stengel Sr” on your September 2015 Stadsstuff.com website. I wasn’t sure how to send the following passage. If you would be so kind to forward the following, It would be greatly appreciated.
I and my family would like to thank those who addressed their sincere condolences, prayers and heartfelt wisheds for me and my family.
John had been part of the Toy Soldier community for almost 30 years. It was wonderful to see the camaraderie amongst the dealers and customers who interacted with him over the years. For many of you,you truly became like family. I remember one of my daughters once saying “Isn’t it funny, we see most of these vendors more than we see our families”.
We thank you all for the kinds .
Sincerely
Irene Stengel and family
Paul, I know you will tender our warmest regards and condolences once again. John Sr. was a class act; his presence will be missed by so many of us who knew him – if only on the phone or the net – or through the occasional (too few) meetings at shows.
I saw his son today ,and spoke to him in person x a few as he was of course very busy with all giving their personal touch about his father passing.
But also very busy as usual in business.
I will say he was the most w crowd x both reasons I bet.
About his new products he was sold out of most but casualties sets by time I saw him first time(few as after 9:20).He was moving as always one corner to other and very active plus negotiating as great he is.I bet few ever could walk away from him with out get any goodies.
I wish him best in future and in his father enterprise legacy.Not much else to said as short time and he got so many around going on ….
I praise his mother too x been so WONDERFUL wife and mother and so dedicated often sacrificing her mother and wife duties x the hobby.She has a great family and kids to keep on x ever in the good memories of her husband.
About a show I will give few my personal inside as far I observe but of course Paul will have his best as he is the expert and best on it.
Personally was good x me as I walk trying get some stuff I was looking.Wile I got some new as the CTS new sets and LOD chariots I pass in some others as I noticed a bit overpriced.
Yet I manage find some odd stuff very cheap x 25 to 50 cents each that admin will share hope soon in pics .
I got a unique STAR TOY western toy from late 60s or ealy 70 in mint attach case format x a great price.I love this find!!!
Plus few others.
I was surprised not finding few already release IMEX and ACTA sets that I was expenting to get and 5 dealers who carry bith brands not having it.So I guess I have to wait…
My view at start show was very pack in crowd ,still.not insane…
Several good dealers were missing to my surprise,one was Gerry that Admin introduced me few years back and often bring loads of goodies loose in tons of cases x cheap pennies.
Others dealers had less table.Hobby Bunker was reduced in plastic new stuff carry wile regular in metal.Yet I got the CTS new sets from him and thanks JIM x rushing those there as he promised.
I general saw half happy faces from smaller dealers more than big. Stengel was hell busy selling, so he was one of few large dealers w more sales in my perseption.
In foreing figures I found few good sellers items in good prices but most I got it.
Wile they were some w not right prices such Plasty western.
He try hard push some on me but I pass as were not to neat condition neither right priced.At the end I told him I can get better from germany w shipping.I think I piss him off.
Not my intention but some times these sellers w too pushy force me to give then a leason.I know about european and the value in many.I do not like to be told what they cost like im a naive and I know the price is too hight
On national, Marx were many deals but short in some of the one I was looking.Lido FFL and knights were abundant and very cheap.
For now I will stop as too much saying and tired from driving else….
I was glad to met and enjoy Laurie and Paul x some times and hunting talking ,they left about 40 minutes before me afternoon I took few times after they left to walk once more and scan x last time.
I spoke to Bill Lango (sponsor) for two times shorts and he was ovell happy even with few missing vendors.
Like always he had done a great work vto keep it as is and I appreciate a lot his awesome dedication to it.
Then drove home w goodies…
Till next time…
Best….:-) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Gerry Watts was not there as his van broke down. I have email him to see if broke down getting to show or at home. I am working on the report and I hope to get it up today or tomorrow depending on my work load.
Godspeed, John.
John’s been gone a while now and I still haven’t gotten over his passing. I guess what dwells the most in my heart and mind is that he was one of us, and that’s what really hurts.
Of all the other dealers at these shows I always hung out more with John than any of the others. We sell to each other or trade figures, our just make fun of each other. Always good times, I’ll miss that.