W. Robert Nitske?

[hAMGurger]

Can anyone find an obituary for the author W. Robert Nitske? Along with Ludvigsen, and Melin I think he is among the foremost authors on our favorite marque. However, I can't find an obituary for him. His Library of Congress file says he was German-born in 1909. In all likelihood I simply do not have the correct MBCA issue which lists his death.

I am presuming, possibly incorrectly, that his first name was something very German and his last name may have originally been Nitschke. I do not know much about him except what he has written about himself in his book and an old address listed in his ads from old MBCA magazines.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[gerryvz]

Nitske died a very long time ago -- I would have to look it up, but I would say around 15 years ago. I joined MBCA in 1997, and it wasn't too many years after that that he died - early 2000s ... 2005 or 2006ish? He was President of MBCA in 1997-1998.

He was back in the 1950s/1960s/1970s/1980s/1990s era indeed one of the prominent authors of books about MB, and is probably best known for his book on MB Model Production, which appeared in several editions over the years. I have the latest edition, and it was one of the very first MB related books I ever bought (1997) for my MB book library, which now totals over 200 volumes. What I have found with the Nitske book, when using it in the past, is that the numbers in QUITE A FEW cases are "off" or otherwise inaccurate.

So, for the time, basically pre-internet, it was sort of "the" authority on MB production numbers, but in practice I have found it to be fairly inaccurate in a lot of cases, so it has sat on one of my bookshelves for many years, and I have perhaps looked at it once or twice in the past 10 years.

I do definitely remember a big MBCA article in the Star Magazine about his passing. That issue would be down in my basement packed in a box somewhere.

Nitske wrote five MB-related books (but many other books on non-MB topics, too):

1. The Complete Mercedes Story (1955)
2. Mercedes-Benz, A History (1955)
3. Mercedes-Benz 300SL (1974)
4. Mercedes-Benz Diesen Automobiles (1981)
5. Mercedes-Benz Production Models (editions published in 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1990, and 1995)

 

[LWB250]

If it helps his date of death was 3/24/2003, I believe.

 

[hAMGurger]

Thanks gents!

Gerry,

Which, if any, more recent reference books would you suggest acquiring for accurate production info/numbers?

 

[hAMGurger]

@LWB250 Funny enough, I think Nitske lived most of his years in Tucson. If you look up the property record for the address listed in his books and MBCA ads all those years ago, it has been a rental property since his passing (assuming your d.od. is correct). I wonder if his extended family still own it.

 

[gerryvz]

Thanks gents!

Gerry,

Which, if any, more recent reference books would you suggest acquiring for accurate production info/numbers?

None of them. Just use the official MB production numbers available through the MB Classic web site, or MBUSA.com, or use Wikipedia and look up a specific model/chassis.

If you absolutely need a hard-copy book -- which is truly obsolete in today's world -- you should use the more newly published, but still inaccurate in many regards, "follow-on" successor book to Nitske's last update from 1995. That book can be found at the link below. It was published in 2008.

Amazon.com

 

[LWB250]

I've got one of the 1980 editions of his production number books he signed for me at some MBCA gathering (StarTech Milwaukee?) alongside a signed galley copy of John Olson's "SL Experience" book. Meh. I recall that Nitske's production books were often riddled with inaccuracies for some reason.

@gerryvz, were you trying to draw a parallel to my abode in AZ? Wasn't sure if you were, but Chez Penoff West is in Flagstaff. Heading out next Sunday for a month or so to enjoy the winter weather and "brilliant" sunshine, as the Weather Service refers to it...

Dan

 

[hAMGurger]

Fair enough Gerry, thanks for the tip.

 

[gerryvz]

@gerryvz, were you trying to draw a parallel to my abode in AZ? Wasn't sure if you were, but Chez Penoff West is in Flagstaff. Heading out next Sunday for a month or so to enjoy the winter weather and "brilliant" sunshine, as the Weather Service refers to it...

I do not recall making a parallel to your abode in AZ, in my comments about Nitske. I know literally NOTHING about where you, or Nitske, live or have lived. If I offended you or mis-stated anything, please let me know. My statements were mainly about the man, and his books. Please advise if I was out of my lane in my comments in any way.

 

[hAMGurger]

Dan,

That was my post, not Gerry's! I referenced Tucson because I saw your signature and figured maybe you had personally known Nitske through the MBCA chapters in your state.

 

[LWB250]

I do not recall making a parallel to your abode in AZ, in my comments about Nitske. I know literally NOTHING about where you, or Nitske, live or have lived. If I offended you or mis-stated anything, please let me know. My statements were mainly about the man, and his books. Please advise if I was out of my lane in my comments in any way.

Not at all Gerry. I must have been confused over @hAMGurger's reference to Tucson. I had no idea where Nitske lived, nor do I care. I'm sure he was a nice guy, but I never knew him other than having seen him at some MBCA events when I was a member.

For what it's worth, I haven't been an MBCA member since the late 1990s with the debacle of Kathy Kennel and the MBCA listserve. The chapters where I have lived have been a major waste of space and time, sadly, and I see nothing of value in giving the national group my money.

Dan