Route 66 has lost a legend and a legendary person as Rich Henry of Staunton passed away Friday.  The operator of the famed Rabbit Ranch, which mixed buried Volkswagen Rabbits and the a happy hope for the animals with that name, welcomed many Mother Road visitors over the years.

Henry’s Ra66it Ranch was Inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 2012.  He was a key figure in the early formation of the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project, Inc. (more commonly known as the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway).  Rich was instrumental in getting the Illinois Route 66 state license plate program in place.