William 'Bill' Arthur Dahlbacka

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — William ‘Bill’ Arthur Dahlbacka, 68, died peacefully on July 31, 2019, in Colorado Springs, in Pikes Peak Hospice Unit at Penrose Hospital. Bill’s brother and sister-in-law were with him at the time of his passing.

Bill was born on Sept. 18, 1951, in Wood County, Wisconsin, to the late Joyce Elaine and the late Arthur Dahlbacka.

Bill graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, Mich. After completing an associate degree at Gogebic Community College in 1971, he moved to Long Beach, Calif. He later moved to Palmer Lake, Colo., where he resided for the past 30 years. He obtained a Master Certification from Saab and worked as a master mechanic for Saab, Subaru and Cadillac. Bill was an expert at all things mechanical. His friendship, expertise and knowledge will be missed.

Bill assisted in building three electric race cars: the ER-1 in 2000, the ER-2 in 2002 and the ER-3 in 2003. In 2002 and 2003, the cars showcased prototype lithium ion polymer batteries. This triggered a development war in the battery industry. The car held the electric car speed record in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for a decade. Prior to this, Bill worked as a crew chief on a Formula 5000 car in California for driver Jim Gustafson, also from Ironwood.

Recreationally, Bill enjoyed his speedboat, snowmobiling, riding his street motorcycle and, in his younger days, participating in high desert moto-cross. He also enjoyed hunting wild boar on Catalina Island. Bill greatly enjoyed being a part of a highly supportive group of like-minded, caring friends.

Bill is survived by his brothers, Bruce and his wife Darla of Port Washington, Wis., and Randall and his wife Jennifer of Bessemer, Mich. Uncle Bill will be missed by his nieces and nephews, Kendra, Michael, Ali and Gage. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Arthur and Joyce Dahlbacka.

A remembrance gathering will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Sibell’s Barn located at 231 N. Front St., in Monument, Colo. For more information on the gathering, contact Mike Kazeck at 719-510-7501.