Tom Magliozzi,
77, Car Talk Genius Lost
to Alzheimer’s November 3.



Many of us of us plan our Saturday mornings in the car around NPR’s wonderful talk show Car Talk, on the air for 25 years.

Live programming for the Peabody award-winning program ended in 2012 due to Tom’s illness. We are left with an unbearable emptiness at the death of half the Car Talk team, Tom Magliozzi.

The following are typical quotes of Tom’s: “life is too short to own a German car” and “it is better to travel in hope than arrive in despair,” Mr. Magliozzi was the older of the two siblings known as Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers. With his curly hair and heavy beard, he also was — as the Magliozzis reminded listeners — the taller and handsomer brother.

While many of us actually listened for our own education about the mysteries of car repair. More often we tuned in simply to laugh. And there was no shortage of simple, joyful belly laughs during this hour.

It is rumored that many non-drivers tuned in just for the laughs and brotherly banter.

In addition to being a self-proclaimed car Expert, he was also a very very funny guy with the quickest wit on the radio, well matched by his brother. Both Tom and Ray were MIT graduates and were honored as MIT Commencement speakers in 1999.

The following is an excerpt from this commencement address

TOM: You have spent the last four years of your life working on the wrong direction. We are here to help you. None of you morons will be able to read this mantra since it is in Latin.

Non impediti ratione cogitatonis.

Which, of course, means: UNENCUMBERED BY THE THOUGHT PROCESS

Here is my example: I was having an argument with my lovely wife one day. I was using all my logic in an attempt to win the argument. And my wife says to me, “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? Holy s…t, says I! I wanted to be happy.”

Try this at home, UNENCUMBERED BY THE THOUGHT PROCESS. Say it.

Tom and Ray added to our American culture in a way no one else has. For one hour each week, we were treated to Hysterically funny car advice , much of it helpful, some life wisdom and the pleasure of listening to the banter of two brothers who clearly adored each other and found the fun in every moment.

We are all saddened to know that Tom’s laugh has been silenced.

If you believe in heaven, imagine Tommy and Robin Williams in conversation ■