Killed in a midget racing crash. One of the top midget drivers of the 1940's and 1950's, he also drove in sprints. He died in a one-off return race after retiring a few years before. Fonder, whose great-grandparents came to the United States from Germany, started racing in 1937 and became the Eastern AAA Midget Champion in 1941. This followed a successful year in 1940, but he lost the championship after a crash sidelined him for six weeks after winning most of his races before that. He was also track champion at the Philadelphia Gardens Speedway. Fonder, who lived in nearby Lansdale, only agreed to race at the event that killed him as a favour to his old friend, George Marshman, who was the promoter of the race. George served in World World Two and also had jobs as a truck driver and chauffeur in his life.

Biography last updated 23 Aug 2017