Vanderbilt Cup Races

Maggie Helck has informed me that her father Jerry Peter Helck passed away peacefully last Sunday at the age of 94.

Jerry Helck was a good friend and major contributor to VanderbiltCupRaces.com.and my books. Images from the Helck Family Collection can be seen throughout this website and the books Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island and The Long Island Motor Parkway.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Condolences to Linda Helck, Maggie Helck and the entire Helck family.

May Jerry's life continue through his family and friends. The  wonderful memories of Jerry will be a blessing.

Howard Kroplick

Below is Jerry's obituary and a photo tribute from the Helck Family Collection, which Jerry donated to me in 2016.

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Jerry Peter Helck, a man of wit, warmth, and an enduring curiosity, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2025, at the age of 94.

Born in Yonkers, N.Y., on December 3, 1930, to artist and automobile historian C. Peter Helck and Priscilla Smith Helck, Jerry’s life was a testament to his passion for both people and machines. Growing up in Boston Corners, NY, his childhood was filled with fishing with his mother, posing for his father's artwork, and learning the values of hard work and fair dealing from a local stonemason. While his father saw the artistry in early race cars, Jerry was captivated by the machinery itself—a passion that led him to understand, tinker with, and, most of all, drive automobiles. This passion extended to his family's collection, which included the historic 1906 Locomobile, "Old 16," now housed at the Henry Ford Museum.

Jerry's educational journey took him from a one-room schoolhouse in Boston Corners to the Roe Jan regional school and the Choate School. He went on to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. While at RPI, he began dating a childhood classmate, Eileen Powers. Jerry and Eileen married on June 7, 1953, and went on to have seven children. Following service in the Army during the Korean War, where he taught engineering to fellow servicemen, Jerry and Eileen settled in N.J.

Jerry began his career at the Air Reduction Company in Murray Hill, N.J. where he was employed for the next twenty years. Eventually his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Summit Technical Products in 1975, a business that sold imported and domestic farrier supplies. Through this venture, his friendly and open nature allowed him to form lasting friendships with many of his customers.

In 1964 Jerry and Eileen purchased a large 1904 home in Summit to house their family. In addition to the work of running a large household and maintaining the extensive gardens, Eileen began to take in short-term borders who were visiting scientists, mathematicians, and engineers from Bell Laboratories. Their dinner table was a hub for engaging conversations, and their home became a refuge for many of their children’s friends, including the Barkhorn brothers. Jerry was also an active member of the Summit Unitarian Church, serving on the Finance Committee and conducting youth classes.

A man of many passions, Jerry was a collector of antique automobiles, slide rules, and historic guns. He avidly scoured flea markets wherever he was for potential treasures. He was an excellent teacher with an intuitive ability to simplify complicated ideas and was always eager to help others, whether by repairing something or sharing his knowledge.

After nearly 40 years of marriage, Eileen passed away in 1993. Before her death, she made it clear to Jerry and their children that he should remarry. Several years later, Jerry stopped in at Eileen’s favorite florist shop, The Plant Lady, in Lakewood. He remembered the business owner, Linda Lynch, as being friendly and attractive, and he logically concluded that she must also be smart and hardworking to keep a business running. They began dating and were married in 1996. They spent their time pursuing their various interests while finding time to travel and visit family and friends. Eventually, they began splitting their time between New Jersey and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Linda and Jerry shared a wonderful life together – and what a life! Linda’s two sons and their families enlarged and enriched Jerry’s family. Linda brought joy, compassion, common sense and a fabulous sense of humor to Jerry and his family. And the best chocolate chip cookies ever.

Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife, Eileen; his son, Timothy Powers Helck; his daughters-in-law Tempe Hill, Catharine Rigby, Amy Neal, and Patricia Halo; and his step-grandson, Joshua Johnson Helck.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Helck; his children, David Helck (Alexandra Helck), Peter Helck (Melinda Blanchard), Christopher Helck (Enid Smith-Helck), Andrew Helck (Mary Peck), Priscilla Barkhorn (Jonathan Barkhorn), and Margaret Helck (Chuck Woodard); his step-children, Christopher Jones (Wendy) and Timothy Jones (Pauline); and sixteen grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A private interment will be held at a future date.