Off-Road pioneer and Evelyn Tallman-Duceshi passes away at 97
ORMHOF is saddened to learn that Class of 2024 inductee Evelyn Tallman-Duceshi passed away on January 18, 2025. She was 97 years old.
Evelyn, known as "The Purple Lady of Pismo" was an off-road pioneer and advocate who grew up on the central coast of California. She could often be seen cruising the beaches and dunes in her beloved buggy "Betsy". Evelyn was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in front of a record crowd at the 2024 Induction & Awards Gala in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A pioneering figure since the 1960s and a driving force on the beaches and dunes of Pismo Beach, Evelyn had a remarkable life and career. From stunts, commercials, and vehicle design, to her impressive work in land advocacy, Evelyn did it all.
From 1960 to 1967, Evelyn led the committee for the annual 4th of July and Labor Day dune buggy competitions, attracting participants from across the Western U.S. She also worked closely with Vic Hickey of General Motors in the 1960s, helping to test and redesign the GM ‘Moon Rover’ and the Army ‘Sidewinder’ on the dunes of Oceano. Her contributions were critical in shaping these vehicles, including the Moon Rover, which later went to the moon.
In the 1970s, Evelyn co-founded the California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) to unite 4-wheel drive and buggy groups in advocacy for the sport. She also served on the California Trails Advisory Committee, pushing for the preservation of safe recreational spaces. Her innovative work included introducing dune flags to improve vehicle visibility and safety. Evelyn’s expertise made her a sought-after consultant for Hollywood films and commercials shot in the dunes.
Evelyn continued to inspire new generations of off-road enthusiasts to protect and preserve motorized recreation areas well into her 90s. In 2021, at the age of 94, Friends of Oceano Dunes called on Evelyn to support motorized recreation once again. "Evelyn spent hours giving testimony, under oath, and withstood cross-examination by four California state attorneys," Jim Suty told the attendees at the ORMHOF Gala during his tribute to Evelyn, "The lawyers were mesmerized by her quick wit and enlightening stories."
The legacy of Evelyn Tallman-Duceshi, marked by her dune buggy “Betsy,” lives on as a symbol of dedication and advocacy in the sport of off-road.
Evelyn's son Ronny shared with ORMHOF that funeral services for Evelyn are planned for February 6 and 7, 2025 in Grover Beach, California. There will be a viewing at 6 pm on Thursday, February 6 with the service taking place on Friday, February 7 at 11 am.
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