Jacques Littlefield, 1949-2009

Update 1/21/09: Please see the post "Jacques Littlefield's Collection to Remain Intact and Activities to Continue"

Updated 1/16/09

Please see the announcement of Jacques' Memorial Service, Monday March 2, at 4 pm

Jacques Littlefield passed away the morning of January 7, 2009, peacefully with his family present. There was a viewing Saturday January 10, and a memorial service at date and time to be announced.

Memorial services will be held later, when arranged.

Update #2 -- found another fairly recent photo that I like better, below. Jacques and tanks, talking about tanks.

Obituary:

Jacques Mequet Littlefield, Tank Scholar and Collector

Jacques Mequet Littlefield, who assembled one of the largest private collections of military vehicles in the world and championed open space in the mid-Peninsula, has died in Portola Valley, California. He was 59 years old and had battled cancer for the past decade.

Jacques’ fascination with armored vehicles began in his childhood when he started building plastic models of tanks. While in college, he built his first scale model, radio-controlled tank. He acquired his first full-sized vehicle in 1975. In 1998 Jacques set up the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation to manage his collection of over one hundred fifty vehicles and restore new additions. The collection ranges from a World War II era U.S. Army M3A1 wheeled scout car, the first acquisition, to a Soviet-era mobile Scud Missile launcher, and includes such famous tanks as the U.S. Sherman and Patton class; U.K. Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain; German WWII vehicles including a Panther; and Soviet-era Russian tanks. The complete inventory is available at www.milvehtechfound.com. Jacques was considered a scholar and expert on the history of armored warfare and the foundation helps serve the interests of authors, historians, educators, the defense industry, veterans groups, model makers and the entertainment industry. The collection is housed at Pony Tracks Ranch in the hills above Portola Valley, which the family acquired in the mid-1970s. Pony Tracks was the country estate of former San Francisco mayor and California governor James "Sunny Jim" Rolph, Jr. Over the years, Jacques restored many of the old buildings on the ranch, such as the stables, and acquired additional property helping to maintain open space in the hills above Portola Valley.

Jacques was the son of the late Edmund Wattis Littlefield and Jeannik Mequet Littlefield. He was born November 21, 1949 in San Francisco, California. His father was CEO of Utah International and served on many corporate boards during his career. He is survived by his mother, a strong supporter of the arts and a member of the Chairman’s Council of the San Francisco Opera; his brother, Edmund Littlefield, Jr.; and sister, Denise Littlefield Sobel.

Jacques also is survived by his wife, Sandy Montenegro Littlefield, and five children: David, Scott, Allison, Jacques Jr. and Jeannik, and one grandson, Kingsley.

Jacques grew up in Burlingame and attended Cate School in Carpinteria, California before studying at Stanford University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in 1971 and an MBA two years later. He worked for Hewlett Packard as a manufacturing engineer before focusing solely on building his museum and restoration facility.

Jacques served on the boards of the George S. Patton Museum in Fort Knox, Kentucky, the Cate School, the Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education, the Hoover Institution, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Filoli Center. He was a member of the Bohemian Club and Captain of the Sempervirens camp.

A viewing will be held at Roller Hapgood & Tinney Funeral Directors, 980 Middlefield Rd in Palo Alto, on Saturday, January 10, 3:00 to 6:00, and a public memorial service for Jacques will be scheduled for the near future.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to one of the organizations Jacques supported: The Patton Museum, Cate School, the Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education, the California Academy of Sciences, the Hoover Institution or the Filoli Center.

Comments

[jo]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[JC]

He was a great man. We will miss terribly. Our thoughts go out to the whole Littlefield family.

[SM]

Heart breaking to lose such a humble, kind and courageous man so young.

Condolences to his family and friends.

SM

[William D. McCann]

Condolences to all the Littlefields.
Truly, a renaissance man, and great guy.
William D. McCann
Chongqing
PRC

[ms_teacher]

Liz, so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts. Hugs to you.

[Colin MacGregor Stevens]

"Tanks" for the memories Jacques. We spoke on the phone but never got to meet. Condolences to the family. Colin MacGregor Stevens, Richmond, BC, Canada. MVPA Member 954

[Jon D. Shoop]

A very sad day, indeed. Mr. Littlefield was so kind as to invite my wife and I to view his MV collection at the Pony Tracks Ranch during the MVPA convention several years ago.

We had a mutual interest in the M5A1 Stuart Tank. He also came to our Motorpool in Louisville, KY just last summer to see our workshops where we maintain our Stuart tanks.

He will be missed..a true gentleman! God Speed Jacques!

My condolences to the family.

[shannon]

So sorry, Liz. My thoughts are with you and your daughter. So glad you are with each other right now.

[Chris, Ft.Hood, Tx]

My deepest condolences ma'am

I will miss hearing of his new finds and projects... He was a great man.. was a pleasure to have met him last yr..

Respectfully

Chris

[JR]

I can only express what an honor it was to have known Jacques. Thirty six years, how could time have passed so quickly.He could always bring a smile to my face no matter what challenges life had to offer. Jacques will always remain one of the kindest men I have ever known! He would tell me to live to the fullest, and love to the last. My heart felt prayers go to his family. He will be missed dearly!

[Dave Aro]

Jacques will be sorely missed. I saw him in Portland at the MVPA convention and we talked at length about his favorite subject. He will always be the King of Olive Drab in my mind.

He made it a personal thing to show my friends from abroad his collection on a number of occasions. They were duly impressed with his personable nature and unending knowledge. He always went out of his way to say hello to those he knew and that was an honor for me and my friends.

I hope St. Peter can hear the "clickty clack" when Jacques arrives because if he doesn't, those pearly gates are history!

[Lee Edwards]

A friend that always welcomed me with a smile and a kind word. He will be missed by thousands but remembered for decades to come. Good bye my friend.

[Eric Butterfield]

Jacques you shall be missed by everyone who had the privelage and honor to have met you.
You enriched the world by being part of it.
Your wit and humor, the little stories you shared will always be remembered.
The dinners we shared and conversations we had are now treasures.

"Now cracks a noble heart.
Good-night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

[Gerald Atherton]

The world and history has lost a man who cared to keep its record I met him on many
Occasions Iam better for it!!!!
May God Receive And give Him Pleanty of Horses
and tanks to play with!!!

[Rick Dickerson Patton Museum Volunteer Leader]

you will be extreamly missed at the Patton Museum as you have touched many of the volunteers lifes. i regret not ever getting out to see you and your collection. you may be gone but you will never be forgotten by the Patton Museum Volinteers. Tanks for the memories.

[Garry Redmon]

Jacques set an example that I pray other institutions will follow. His joy in his hobby was felt by all that strive to preserve history. He will be missed, but he has left a legacy that will endure for years to come. I hope that time will ease his passing for his family and friends and that fond memories are theirs to treasure.

[Lisa]

He looks like a nice guy, and if he was a friend of Liz's, I'm sure he was a fine fellow. My condolences.

[Kurt Lesser]

The Military Vehicle Collectors of California will miss Jacques immensely. He was a great friend to us all and a believer in the value of preserving the history of these vehicles.

I would like to pass along condolences from everyone in the MVCC to the Littlefields. We will always hold him on a position of honor.

Kurt Lesser
MVCC President

[Derek Ward]

A big loss...my prayers go to the family...and thanks Jacques for caring enough to support and lead the preservation and restoration of military vehicle history and design.

Regards And Best Wishes
Derek Ward
Pgm Manager
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

[Frank Jardim]

Hearing the sad news last night, I feel the loss of a man I was honored to know considered me a sincere friend. He was true blue. At a time in my life when I was being unfairly abused, he had my back and stuck up for me when others I thought were friends would not. That alone would be cause enough to love him, but he remains overall among the finest human beings I have ever known and I will miss him. Looking back over the decade or more we have been friends, he was sick the whole time, but like a real man, he never let it show in public and rarely in private. The time I shared with him was a gift... borrowed time. His soul was such a powerful positive force, that no physical deficiency could stop it from seeking joy and satisfaction in both the simplest and most spectacular ways. This soul of his had a great effect on me, and I suspect it had the same effect on just about everyone who came in contact with it. He was fun...good, clean, silly, boyish fun. Not just with military history and tanks, for to see him only through that lense is to miss most of what the man's interests encompassed. I still recall well the time we danced with tamborines in the Greek restuarant we would visit when he was in town. Life should be fun and Jacques knew more than most that we all only get so much time on Earth. But he was no diletante. Along with that sense of fun was a sense of responsibility, to his family, friends and people in general. He did not shrink from either the serious and vexing issues of personal life or the greater world. The degree of his sense of responsiblity to the world around him matched his prominent position in it. Like the gentleman of the 18th century, he believed that an elevated level of civic responsibility came with an elevated social standing. He was a man's man and a true pal. The world is a lesser place for the loss of him and, selfishly, I'll miss him terribly. I can only imagine the pain Sandy and his children must be going through now. God bless them and keep them.

Frank Jardim

[Charles Reading]

I only met him several times at the collection but he answered my questions with such enthusiasm as if it were the first time he had been asked that particular question.
I feel privileged to have met the man and am still in awe of his knowledge and ability to preserve history on such a grand scale for future generations.
Condolences to his family and friends
Charles Reading

[Chris "toadman" Hughes]

My heartfelt condolences go out to the Littlefield family.

Jacques was always so friendly to my daughter and I when we'd come up for the tours. His allowing me to take so many photos of collection helped me tremendously!! I couldn't have done any of it without his support.

Thank you for everything Jacques!! God speed...

Chris "toadman" Hughes
Toadman's Tank Pictures

[Aidan]

May the road rise up to meet him.
May the wind be always be at his back.
May the sun shine warm upon his face and the rains fall soft upon his fields and until we meet again,
may God hold him in the palm of His hand.

From an unknown friend in Ireland

[Richard D. HEnkus]

He was a unique resource to professional and amateur historians alike, and can not be replaced. We will miss him but once, but that once, continually.

[Gary]

The world has lost a powerful and thoughtful advocate of open space and historic preservation...and I have lost a dear friend.

Condolences to all his family.

[Jennifer & Greg Cohn]

Sweet Liz, God must have needed his tank restored. We have fond memories of Allison and our Taylor crawling nudie on the lawn up at PTR when they were just a few months old. You and Jacques, both such warm and generous hosts with ginormous hearts. Our deepest sympathy to you Liz, Allison, Janet, Susie, Nancy, the enitre Ditz family and the Littlefields. Love, JT & Greg

[from a great admirer]

To your children and your Wife I wish them
my heart felt condolences. To you Jacques
God Speed you where a truly kind man.

Hark the trumpets blow, another angel has arrived.

Liz, gracias por tener la opportunidad de concer a su esposo y familia era un buen hombre le mando bendiciones y le pido a dios lo mejor para sus hijos.

[Charles Prael]

I was fortunate, over the years, to be introduced to Jacques twice, in completely different circumstances. I grew up just down the hill from Pony Tracks Ranch, and then in later years, was privileged to bring several groups up to the museum. Just recently, he allowed me to come up to do design research for an east coast-based writer friend.

My wife and I, along with quite a number of our friends, would like to extend our condolences to you, and to the entire family.

God rest ye, sir.

[Jerry Carducci]

Jacques my friend where did the time go?
I will always be grateful for the time spent, lively discussion and the friendship shared for near 30 years.

That armor will have been better for your having been here goes without saying but even more so are those of us who have had the honor to call you friend for that is true treasure.

My deepest sympathy to Jacques' family.

Farewell my friend.

Jerry Carducci

[Carol & Virgil Burkett]

My condolences to the Littlefield family.
My husband and I got the pleasure of Jacques infinite knowledge and kindness several times at his tours.
He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting him, and I truly hope his tours stay open, for generations to come...I am sure Jacques would want that for all of the future tank lovers.

[William & Karen Gasser]

Jacque will be missed by many - We never personally met Jacque, but had many conversations on the phone over the last 30 years with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and those that have been touched by him.

William & Karen Gasser
AAF Tank Museum

[Tracey Metcalf]

Jacques was a pillar in the historic military vehicle hobby and will be missed by the entire Board and Headquarters Staff of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. Thank you for the generosity you showed this organization and the hobby.

[Richard D Erickson]

Truly a great lost to mankind, will be truly missed.

[Richard and Yvonne Tryce]

From Rich,
We have known Jacques from the time he acquired Pony Tracks Ranch in our neighborhood many years ago. Jacques was a classmate from the Stanford Business School and a great friend of Stanford. Our daughter was a babysitter for his children in the early years.

He is revered for his openness, hospitality, and generosity to us and his neighbors. For many years he has graciously made available his Pony Tracks Ranch for large community association picnics, and he was there to participate in the community-building activity with his neighbors.

He generously assisted our neighborhood association with our emergency preparedness storage and operations facility and a vitally needed ham radio emergency communications station.

His respect for the sacrifices of our military service men and women is shown by the collection of military memorabilia, with the largest armored vehicles collection now in the world.

And from Yvonne:
Jacques was a delightful person with an unassuming way of making people comfortable around him. He had several passions, but I was most amazed by his love of music and playing the organ. I will miss his enthusiastic support of the natural environment and his love for the beauty of nature. He was also a horse lover and a strong advocate for education. And finally, he was one of the most hospitable of hosts to music groups, railroad buffs, tank enthusiasts, scout troops, and the entire neighborhood through the annual picnic he hosted.

Truly this revered friend and neighbor will be greatly missed

Our heartfelt condolences to his family

The Tryce's
Portola Valley, CA

[Willy Denninger]

My Condolences to a great friend and radio collecter
MVPA 638

[Sean from Canada]

Much sympathy for your loss.
I never new Jacques but have admired his work over the years for the preservation of the worlds history and its' lands.
He will surely be missed as he was one of the great ones!

[Hayes Otoupalik]

I am very very saddened to learn of the passing of Jacques. He was most gracious each time I visited him at the Pony Tracks
Ranch,vehicle shows, and in our business deal over what you expect, armor and tank parts.
The entire world lost a big supporter in the
historical preservation of military vehicles. My condolences to the entire Littlefield family.
Hayes Otoupalik, Missoula, Montana

[Alan Ernat]

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire Littlefield family and community.
So many remarkable achievements in a single lifetime.
So many lives touched for the better.
A huge loss to so many different groups of people.

[John Currie, Mpls.]

I had the pleasure of meeting Jacques once when the MVPA convention sponsored a tour of his amazing facilities a few years back. I only spent a moment with him but as with many armor fans, his impact, presence and leadership in the community has left an impression that will last forever. For his enthusiasm, we are grateful. For his gracious leadership, we are ever in his debt. And for your loss, we can only imagine your sadness and pray for healing and consolation. May the sadness of his passing be replaced in time with the sweet joy of many memories.

[David S Jones]

I just learned of Jacques' passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I grew up on Old Spanish Trail where my parents still live. The Littlefield Family is always graciously hosting neighborhood events at Pony Tracks, which remains an asset to the area. I hope some day my 4-year-old son will be able to come up and ride on the railroad.

The Jones Family in St Paul, MN

[Nancy Bovee]

I will miss the most fascinating next door neighbor I'll ever have in my life. I'll never forget when I moved here 28 years ago and caught site of the huge garage and then a gigantic truck drove out! Jacques made me feel safe and secure as no one else possible could.
My condolences to each and every one.

[Mary Kiely and Kurt Bausback]

Jacques was a wonderful next door neighbor to our family since we moved to Vista Verde Way in 1996. His generosity of time was most noted when he spent two hours providing a personal tour of the tank restoration facility and the collection to us and Kurt's father, an amateur history buff and researcher for the PBS series, California's Gold.

We last saw Jacques on Opening Day of the new Town of Portola Valley Library. He had a smile on his face as he engaged in a brief pleasant conversation with us, before going off to meet Sandy and their children in the reading room. It is his wonderful smile that we will remember, always.

Mary Kiely and Kurt Bausback

[Hayes Otoupalik]

We are most saddened to hear of the passing of Jacques. He was most gracious every time
we had visited with him at the Pony Tracks Ranch and to see what he was working on in the tank field. He will be missed by all in
the MVPA, but our hobby has been better with him than without him. Tanks for the great memories Jacques and God Bless your
family. Hayes Otoupalik

[Michael Scudder]

I knew Jacques by only long phone calls and recomendations by all that knew him. A gentleman who returned calls,assisted others and kept history alive and interesting. Safe passage my friend. Mike

[Spencer Davis]

I never got to meet Jacques, but only heard about him 3 years ago, when I was fortunate enough to be invited to see his collection through Sierra Toy Soldier. I wish I could have talked to him as his passion for military vehicle preservation was a great interest of mine from an early age. He has achieved much in his life, and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family. RIP Jacques.

[amhey]

I hardly know a thing about tanks, but what I do I owe to Jacques who kindly allowed Imperial College Alumni and other groups to tour his collection. Jacques was a wonderful person and my husband John (who enjoyed visits to the tanks tremendously) will miss him too. I'll miss chatting to him after church too. Condolences to Sandy and the family.

Angela Hey and John Mashey

[Al Posada]

When I had my small shop, I did some work for Mr. Littlefield. I was always impressed by how humble, kind and courteous he was.

Sincerly,

Al Posada

[David Willey]

Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of such a genuine man whose kindness and enthusiasm was apparent to all that met him.

We will miss him here

Staff & Trustees of The Tank Museum, UK

[Ken Nelson]

I had only known Jacques for a year when we lost him, and I regret that I didn't know him sooner. On my first day with him I was impressed with his passion for his interests, his depth of knowledge of not just machines, but the history behind them, the successes and failures of their designers, and the resulting successes and failures of the ideologies that they represented. He had a real overview of how a culture affected people's thinking regarding engineering and design, what worked and what didn't. To Jacques, his machines were the realization of people's minds, and he wanted to know how both the minds and machines worked, and how they solved the problems they encountered in achieving their goals. What also impressed me was his complete lack of pretense. He was very comfortable in himself and never complained in spite of his illness. At his internment, his family and friends spoke lovingly and eloquently about his love for them, his positive attitude and funloving spirit, and the encouragement he gave them in their own pursuits - what better epitaph can a man have? Now that he's gone, I realize I was very lucky to be around him for even a short time - Jacques was more than a fine man - being with him was an event that enriched the lives of those around him, and I and many others will sorely miss him. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[Richard F. Curtin]

My favorite memory of Jacques was his always remembering my name where ever we met. He was always an affable gentleman. My sympathies to the family.

[Colin C Tigwell]

One can only admire such men as yours dear lady.

The world will be little sadder that a dedicated man has gone to his great reward.

His soul will live forever in those left behind and in the history that he left behind that others may enjoy.

So sad dear lady, but it is but a twinkle of the eye and you will be together again.

May Gid bless you and keep you safe.

Every best wish

Colin C Tigwell
Vietnam Vet Australia

[Iain King]

I never got to meet Jacques, but everything I have seen and read of this remarkable man is an inspiration. He allowed people such as myself to dream of everything Tank-wise.He will be missed and may I send my condolences to you all.

[Roy Hamilton, Reno, NV]

My condolences to the entire Jacques Littlefield family,Sandy,David, Scott, Allison, Jacques Jr., and Jeannik.
I enjoyed the fourteen years I worked on armored vehicles for Jacques at the Tank Barn, and watching the collection grow.
Jacques will be greatly missed in the Military vehicle collecting world. He will be remembered for his outstanding collection, and for saving an restoring many rare armored vehicles.
Here's hoping he will finally find that elusive "Tiger I" in Heaven.
My best wishes to the family.

[Museum of American Heritage]

From all of us at the Museum of American Heritage, we would like to offer our most sincere condolences to all of the Littlefield family. Jacques dedication to historic preservation and his passionate enthusiasm for history were a rare gift. For those of us who are dedicated to preserving the stories of those who came before us, Jacques's efforts will be valued by generations to come. We will always remember his kindness, generosity and enthusiasm. He was a great friend to MOAH and we are thankful that we had the opportunity to know him.

[John Moorhead]

On behalf of the California Oliver Cletrac Club, I'd like to express our most sincere condolences at your loss. We were lucky enough to attend a full tour of the collection each summer for two consecutive years. Last year Jacques met us in the repair building and chatted with us for the first 15 minutes or so. What struck me was just how comfortable he was in the environment, talking to a bunch of tractor nuts, nothing pretentious about him, just one of the guys. Truly a unique man.

[Warren Argo]

I can't quite accept Jacques' leaving us, I miss him so much. He was wonderful friend and a warm and inviting host, one of my favorite people to spend hours with, discussing the gritty details of restoring roller bearings, or considering the enormous stiffness of steel. I will never stop missing him. My heart goes out to his entire family, I'm so very sorry for our loss. He was a magnificent man.

[jennyalice]

thinking of you Liz

[Ian Ward-Brown]

He will be sadly missed by all who came into contact with him at the Tank Museum,(of which he was a great supporter)at Bovington, England. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Ian Ward-Brown
President
Friends of the Tank Museum

[Rick Bonds]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I met Jacques at the museum several years ago. He was a gentleman and a true gentle man. The world is a poorer place without him.

Deepest condolences to the family and the museum staff.

[Mike Johnson]

It is with a tear in my eye as I make this post. I am saddened by the passing of a great man and a former boss.

I am truly grateful for the experience of working for and with Jacques during his short tenure at Hewlett-Packard Company in Palo Alto, California.

His leadership definitely set the tone for my personally and professional development and I will be forever thankful.

My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

[Clay Caughman]

"You can only blow-up so many things in your life!"
"He who dies with the HEAVIEST toys wins!"
Jacqies Littlefield

Jacques was a childhood friend and we always had fun (although I'm sorry about all the insects and salamanders). We met again about a year or so ago and it was just like old times.

God bless you old friend.

your pal,

clay

[Mack Lyon Velthouse]

So sorry to hear of his passing, may God watch over his entire family.

[Stehen Pieraldi]

Devoted, passionate and a lover of great wine. What more can you ask in a person. I was reflecting on that again this morning, and had to jot this down. Be well, and my you never have a tread run out in heaven.

[DONN RAPTIS ,. SANTA CLARA CA.]

I SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE ENTIRE
JACQUES LITTLEFEILD FAMILY.
I HAD THE PRIVILEDE TO WORK FOR
JACQUES FOR 25 YEARS, TAKING CARE
OF HIS HOME.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE
AND BEING ABLE TO KNOW JACQUES.

[Ray Parker]

I have always been a tank buff. My lifelong dream has been to do what Mr. Littlefield has done although not to such an extent. I have always enjoyed the fact that men such as him exist to help preserve these artifacts of history. He will be sadly missed.

[Noel McKellar]

I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an exceptional person as Jacques Littlefield. My condolences go to his family.

I met him at Pony Trax Ranch and talked to him on a one-on-one basis. He really knew his track vehicles. It really made my day.

He is remembered as the most open, generous and hospitable person that I have ever met.

Noel McKellar

[JOFO]

OSOBNE SO JACQUES NEPOZNAL IBA ZO STRANOK INTERNETU A Z DOKUMENTARNEHO FILMU RENOVACE TANKU.SUSTRAS CELEJ JEHO RODINE

[Terry Bohme]

I first met Jacques in 1981. A memorable lunch. He was wearing a flannel plaid shirt-humble. Always had a pen. I just sent him a letter in January and now undestand why I did not get his reply. I just learned of his passing today and it's March already. My uncle used the Palo Alto Tinney Funeral Home too, I was a native of Palo Alto when young, 4th generation from 1852 so have been there too often. Would have hoped more time for Jacques, but I am sure he did a lot with what he did have. He called me in December 2007 & lastly we spoke March 08 and he never said how he was doing other than there were family health 'issues'. Sorry that he is gone. Terry Bohnme

[Edward Seaman]

I met Jacques in 2001, while visiting SRI.
He invited myself and several others to
look touch and even move any vehicle we
liked. For a career Armor NCO this was
a dream come true. After the self guided tour. He stopped and chatted for some time.
All the while smiling and happy that tankers
were at him home? What a great loss to the
Armor community.

MSG(Ret)Ed Seaman

[spikethedog]

So very sorry to learn of Jacques' death. He was an original and like so many like him he died far too soon. My deepest sympathies to his family.

[Michael J Walsh]

Having just found this page I would like to add some thoughts. Through my association with the Military Museum of Southern New England (Bpt. Armory), on several occasions I had the opportunity to speak with Jacques via telephone concerning parts or whatnot; and apart from being impressed by his "legendary status" in the field of Military Vehicle restoration, he spoke with an air of authority and conviction that made a lasting impression. Years later while tracking down (with success) an obscure vehicle owner via internet, he was tremendously helpful and as always. very polite. Asking him if he could use some help on the ranch, he did oblige, but regretfully time and circumstance did not allow that to happen. He has a special place amongst us all, and will be missed.
Mike "Sarjayanty" Walsh

[Kristen Deem]

I am so saddened to learn of Mr. Littlefield's passing just now. Back in 1986 I was blessed to tour his home. He had a passion for organs too, and the Fisk organ builders--who had just completed the astonishing organ at Stanford's Mem Chu--were now building a similar organ in Jacque's mansion. I spent many happy hours climbing around inside the organ, and even playing it. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life! And Mr. Littlefield was one of the nicest people I've ever met!
Kristen Deem, Stanford '87

[William Clarkson]

I just got done watching a show on the military channel about Jaques' Panther, the one pulled from a river in Poland. I decided to learn more about this man that shared same passion as I since childhood, only to learn that he passed away one year ago...

May you rest in peace.