Kevin Ladd

[boots205]

Our hearts are with you

Please know that we are praying for your families. Your loss is felt by all of us in the racing community. May God grant you strength and peace during this difficult time and always.

Janet & Rob Zilka
52-M

[mike ross]

Pro Tunnel Tour !!!!!!! A plus on the video Mikey

[bill bob]

Via con dios , go with god my friend

[RenegadeRockN91]

Someone Who Will Truely Be Missed

My thoughts and prayers go out to Kevin's Family. He will be one guy I will never forget.
Snowmobile Stag Weekend was the first time I met Kevin. I came on the trip a little under the age limit, but why would that suprise anyone I'm a Ross. I rode that whole weekend right beside Kevin we were quite the pair to beat. Me on my Rocket Racer SRX and him on his Hotshot Firecat. There is nothing I could ever compare to riding with riding with such a great guy as Kevin through some of Michigan's best Trails. That weekend was full of great memories I knew I had to come back the next year.
Last year I couldn't bring up my rocket racer which forced me to the back of the pack but it did not stop the fun. A memory that really stuck in my mind was the time stopping for Kevin. No not because he had to take a leek but because his great idea of strapping his backpack to his seat failed. The bag half way came off, was grabbed by the by the track and thrown underneith. His backpack was torn to shreds. We did get it out but the funniest part was seeing him at the bar later that night. He was dressed in quite the outfit. His clothes looked as though he just pulled them off a homeless man. I think everyone got a great laugh. Thanks Kevin.
Kevin you are someone who will never be forget. I thank you for all the great times you have given me and everyone else. May you race into heaven and rest in peace and may god be with Kelly and Kori.
Thanks,
Scott

[RenegadeRockN91]

Great Slideshow!

Scott

[Joel Kiddy]

We will miss you

We have tried to come up with words to express our sadness,
we can only believe that Kevin will continue to be the guardian of his family.
We join all in extending our condolences.

The Kiddy family.

[Deano 4-S]

4-S and 4-M

When I first met Kevin he was 17. I was old enough to buy beer....... We became great friends... Over the course of 15 years I watched a teenager mature into a fine young man and a great friend. We spent alot of time racing and growing up together both on and off the race track. I moved out west about 4 1/2 years ago and kind of lost contact with Kevin directly. But I did keep track of his achievements. Power boat racing has lost a son. I have lost a friend I will cherish forever. All my sympathies to the Ladd/Pater family. Budd, Kathy, Karl, Mechelle, Kelly, Know that my family and I are grieving with you at this tragic time. Thank you for all the beautiful memories little brother. Love always,
Dean Ray and Family.

[hagerl8m]

photos

Hey guys, i hope you can actually see the slideshow i put on the PTT website. IF not contact me at pttwebmaster@gmail.com i would also like to ask for people to send me a few images with yourself and kevin for a more profession slide show for Kelly, Kori, and Michelle. I can take any type of photo, also i can put videos into the show.


Thanks
Chris Hagerl

Not only did we lose a great guy, we lost a brother R.I.P. Kevin

[Bob Dunlap]

With great Sadness

My condolences to the whole family on this great loss, our prayers and thoughts will be with you.

[Jody Bentz]

Kelly, Kori and the entire Ladd/Pater Family, You are in my thoughts and prayers! We are all going to miss Kevin's smiling face!!

[H&H Rescue]

Hey guys, i hope you can actually see the slideshow i put on the PTT website. IF not contact me at pttwebmaster@gmail.com i would also like to ask for people to send me a few images with yourself and kevin for a more profession slide show for Kelly, Kori, and Michelle. I can take any type of photo, also i can put videos into the show.


Thanks
Chris Hagerl

Not only did we lose a great guy, we lost a brother R.I.P. Kevin

Chris if you go to my site anyone is free to take copies of pictures.
www.haysphotography.net right click and they are yours.

The video is incredible. First thing I noticed, not a picture with out a smile. How fitting.

[larrylin@ameritech.n]

Godspeed Kevin

I just joined this group so that I could post this message and also to be able to view the photos that many people so graciously posted. I have known Kevin since early childhood, being a close friend of his dad Bud. I know how proud Bud was of Kevin as a person, a husband, a father, a son and a racer. Few were the conversations that we have had when Kevin’s name didn’t come up. We had the good fortune to have Kevin, Kelly, Kori, and Bud visit with us in our home in Howell this past summer. If any of us could choose the son we wanted, or the husband we wanted for our daughter or just the person that we wanted as a friend, Kevin would be the model. There are no words to describe this tragedy and the loss that we all feel. Reading this forum it is clear how Kevin had such a positive effect on the lives of so many people within the boat racing community. I know that everyone who knew him held him in the same high regard. Kelly, while this has to be the worst time of your life, try to take solace in the fact that Kevin was loved by so many. While the time you had together was short, you will always have the wonderful memories, and most importantly you have Kori. Our prayers are with you and your family, and with Bud, Kathy and the entire Ladd family. Kevin, we wish you Godspeed. You will be missed!!!

Larry and Joann Lindquist
Howell, MI

[wsmith0607]

Loss of Words

As with everyone, I am at a loss of words. My family has know Kevin for a long time. I don't know what to say to the Ladd and Pater families. So, I'm sending you something my Mom sent me:

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things: A rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your family, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life". I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands, you need to be able to throw some things back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

Kevin made everyone feel love and compassion for each other in this sport. We are truly one big family, each and every single one of us, young and old.

Kelly, God speed my sister and friend. Kori will have his legacy to learn and love.

Wendy McCourtie Smith

[racerchic3z]

I have spent the last three hours with many friends and family remembering the life of Kevin. It was apparent how much of an impact he had by the amount of people that were there.
It seems that everyone was experiencing a series of emotions: grief, numbness, and despair. But the thing I saw the most was smiles. Kevin brought so much life to everyone and everything around him. His contagious smile was prevalent tonight, especially on his beautiful daughter, Kori. She shares many of the same qualities that we all loved about Kevin: Joy, happiness, and most of all, physical appearance.
Kelly, you are so blessed to have the wonderful gift of your child that Kevin gave to you. He will live through her, and bring happiness to your life.
We have one more day to say goodbye to our friend, but it is not goodbye. He is always with us, always looking over us, and we will see him again one day.
His memory will be honored at many races this year, from OPC to Stock Outboard.


Race in Peace, Kevin.

[patropp]

Our Deepest Condolences

Our deepest prayers and thoughts go out to Kelly, Kori, Bud and the rest of the Ladd & Pater families. Kevin was a great competetor, friend, son, husband, daddy... He will surely be missed by all.

In Sympathy,
Dale, Jane, Jeff, Topher & Pat Ropp
Phoenix Racing Team