(from Mike West):

I first met Guy Wadsworth at lunch with Larry Vogele (author of several horse racing books and pamphlets) in about 1986. We were there to discuss a program or system for handicapping some of Larry’s logic and data. Larry had known and worked with Guy and had much admiration for his organizational and detailed compiling abilities.

About 1987, four of us, purchased a computer for Guy to attempt to create a handicapping program. This monster computer had a whopping 64k memory and viewing screen that was about 4 inches square. The computer cost about $3,000.00 and thus Guy’s first attempt to write a handicapping programs had started and is still ongoing.

In 1988 Guy came to Desert Hot Springs Ca. to live at my home. I had an IBM 360 and Guy was finally in a real position to learn and progress. We attempted to write a computer program for accounting and after five or six months (with much struggle and shouting) Quicken came out with a $25.00 program and the fight was over and we became good buddies again. Guy went to work with me in the office of my garage door business until some one stole the computer. Guy without a computer is like a fish out of water so we had to replace it. When Guy lived with me we watched Jeopardy every night and he could answer all the questions. We got him an appointment to interview for the program and I drove him to LA and he tested but came up a little short. I don’t think he would have rested without making this attempt.

Some time in late 1988 Guy and I were having cocktails at a hotel restaurant in Desert Hot Springs and Doc Sartin was there. During the conversation Doc told us his profession and the need for a computer programmer thus the new relationship between Guy and Doc. Guy moved for a short time to a lodge near Yucca Valley Ca. where he had a small apartment and became a recluse and very hard to find. All that time he was communicating with Doc Sartin. I eventually found him and he was preparing to move to Cherry Valley Ca close to the Sartin Methodology Offices in Banning.

I communicated with my old friend Guy very much (his e-mail address even bears my name). I called him frequently even if it was to get a spelling of a word, or his thoughts on any idea. He was a Republican and loved to discuss politics if you were also a Republican and agreed with him. He was very brilliant and creative and he will be missed by all.

(from Larry Vogele):

Glad to see they are organizing some memories of Guy for his Memorial service. I am sorry I can’t make it, but send my condolences. I have known Guy for many years. We first met in 1957, when we worked for Title Insurance & Trust Co. in L.A. just after I got out of the Marine Corps.

We lost touch for a few years, until I started doing daily horse racing seminars at the Marriott Hotel in L.A. in 1982. He showed up at my seminars and told me of his interest in computer programming. I was working on some complicated statistical research of handicapping and started using his programming skills. I found him very creative and intelligent.

I will miss his calls during which we would have long conversations on any number of subjects. I found him very knowledgeable about politics and world events. He had a quick mind and a great sense of humor. I will always be grateful for his many efforts at improving and streamlining my programs.

I always felt Guy should have been living in Great Britain where they are famously tolerant of "eccentrics" like Guy who traveled in his own world of computers and programming.

Needless to say, I will miss him a great deal.

Friends catching up, making new aquaintances, reminiscing. (From left: Dennis Mikkelson, Gerald Springer, Russ "kiltman" McLeod, Vanoy "delmarscott" Scott)

After the Memorial service, several of us adjourned to Santa Anita for a day at the races, and a message honouring Guy was broadcast on the Jumbotron board. The "experts" picked a few winners (and a few losers) for the non-addicted. Clockwise: Marie Bechtel, Russ McLeod, Ed Bechtel, Marty Dahl.

Background, left to right: Yasmin Wevers, Jim Wadsworth, Karen Moore

Ted Craven (left) and Marty Dahl decoding the 9th race.

We brought a small quantity of Guy's ashes with us. At the end of the day, in what could have been a scene out of Peter Tolan's fevered Hollywood imagination, we looked for a suitable place to leave a bit of our friend behind on the racetrack he sought to shed some clarity on through his software efforts. As the Brinks truck was backing up next to the tunnel leading onto the track, Marie coyly distracted the security guard, and a few of us innocently wandered up the tunnel and onto the main track. A wisp of wind caught the dust to which Guy has returned, and deposited him at the finish line.

Guy on the finish line, at the winners circle.

Guy's home in Cherry Valley Seniors' Mobile Home Community

Guy's Obituary
 

Guy Woodbridge Wadsworth III

Guy Woodbridge Wadsworth III was born in Hollywood Hospital on October 18, 1933 to Guy Woodbridge Wadsworth Jr. who was personnel manager for Southern Counties Gas Company and Julia Lee Orne Wadsworth, a homemaker. His grandfather was President of Occidental College in Eagle Rock.

Wadsworth was a self-made man who enjoyed a varied and colorful life. He worked for a local title company for a number of years and loved to talk about his jobs as a driving school instructor and courier for the various movie studios in Hollywood. He was widely read and his diverse interests included magic and speculating on beating the odds at the horse tracks. He loved playing chess, fishing and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Wadsworth's friends knew him as being very knowledgeable on many subjects and will miss his great sense of humor and zest for life.

Wadsworth passed away on January 1. Surviving are daughters Kat Nichols and Karen Moore and their children; and sons Jim and John Wadsworth. For approximately 15 years, Wadsworth resided at the Royal Coach Mobile Home community in Cherry Valley. His many companions there included caretaker Marie Bechtel and friend Jane Martin. Also, among many friends, near and far, he leaves behind his lifelong buddies Mike West and David Bear. His best furry friend, Zach the Cat, went on ahead of him last year. "Memories of Guy's twinkling blue eyes and mischievous smile will always be with us," stated family members.