Robert Frost once wrote that Nothing Gold Can Stay and so it is that we pay tribute to members of the cast and production staff who have made the final turn onto the ultimate ‘main drag’; cruising somewhere over the rainbow. You will always be gold in the hearts of American Graffiti fans everywhere.

Rich Poremba
March 26, 1944 - September 19, 2010

If you attended any of the past Salutes, you may have seen Rich as he worked the check-in cue when you entered the event to park your car. Whether you knew Rich or not, if it wasn’t for him, there would be no Salute or car show. It was Rich who took the idea for this show and started the non-profit, doing all the required paperwork. Rich was the kind of person who didn’t let anything get in his way, he always had an answer or knew how to get the hard things done. He was a dedicated volunteer, whether it be for the 14 years he volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club or for the 6 years he volunteered with us, he loved ever minute of it. Our 2011 event will be dedicated to him and we will remember him at all future events. He was a “car guy” and he loved it! He was one of our founding board members, a friend, and mostly, part of our family. His memory will live on in the ones he left behind. Thank you Rich! We miss you and we know that you are watching over us.

William "Bill" Maley
March 5th, 1930 - February 14th, 2013

We met Bill in 2007. Bill was the "Graffer" for George Lucas for both THX 1138 and American Graffiti. A gaffer is the "Chief Lighting Electrician" Bill's career as a gaffer spanned over 50 years. During his career, Bill was honored and awarded the "Northern California Film Pioneer Award" for opening the first stage (Stage A) in San Francisco. From the first day we met Bill, we became friends. The stories he told about the filming adventures during American Graffiti amazed us, and at times, made us all laugh. He even told us that if you watch closely, you will see him in the movie. Bill attend our Thursday night dinners for the last 6 years, entertaining all the guests at his table. Bill was also a big help in our recreation of the cop car rear end scene we did in 2008. Making sure we had the same lighting that he sent up for Mr. Lucas in 1972.
"Good Bye Good Friend, Let There Be Light!"

Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston Smith)
January 21, 1939 to July 1, 1995

We never had the opportunity to meet The Wolfman, but several Cruisin’ The Boulevard directors have fond memories of listening to him rock the airways way back when!

Click here to visit the official Wolfman Jack website.

Henry Richard Travers
Transportation Manager
August 8, 1937 to August 20, 2006

Henry was one cool dude and just loved to talk cars and movies. We met both he and his wife Jackie in 2006 and it was like we’d known one another for years!

Click here to read all about the “king of the movie cars”.

Pharaoh Carlos (Manuel Padilla, Jr.)
July 13, 1955 to January 29, 2008

Our Salute 2006 marked Manuel’s first appearance at a car show as one of the stars of American Graffiti! One of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet, we’re fortunate to have his handprints and signature in a concrete block that will eventually be placed in a Petaluma sidewalk.

Click here to read about Manuel, the biggest ‘little’ Pharaoh of them all!