ART PARTEE, 67, of Clayton, Michigan, was born on February
5,1927 in the town of Hudson. He spent most of his life in the
Hudson-Clayton area. He passed away September 17,1994 just as we
were getting ready to go do our favorite thing, display our engine
collection at a nearby show. Being around the hobby for many years
as an admirer, but as an avid collector for only a few short years,
he truly enjoyed going to every show that he could, to look at
other engines and to buy and restore engines whenever possible. He
really enjoyed the hobby and enjoyed meeting and talking to other
collectors at shows. He was a good, honest, hardworking man. He was
also a loving and caring father and husband. It’s like the old
saying goes, ‘You don’t know what you got till it’s
gone.’ He will be very sadly missed by his whole family and
especially by his No. 1 fans and engine partners, his sons,
grandsons and his wife. We know that every engine show we attend,
Dad will still be there with us in spirit, and his memory will live
in us forever.
Until we see you again, Dad, we all love you and miss you very
much. We will continue to show the Partee’s Vintage Iron
display with pride.
(Editor’s Note: A profile of the Partee family engine
collection appeared in the October 1994 issue of GEM, on. Art
Partee received his magazine on September 12, and was able to enjoy
the article before he passed away.)
Submitted by his son, Kevin Partee, 13655 Canandaigua Road,
Hudson, Michigan 49247.
Northwestern Wisconsin mourns the loss of RICHARD ‘DICK’
DUES-CHER, 68, who passed away on October 26, 1994, after a
courageous fight with cancer. Dick was a good friend and an
accomplished model-builder whose half-scale sawmills and model hay
presses were featured at the steam shows that he attended. Sawing
small logs into lumber and baling hay were two jobs that he liked
to demonstrate at the shows.
Dick lived in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, and was a member of the
Wisconsin Steam Antique Engine Club and was very active at their
show. He received the ‘Thresherman of the Year’ award in
August of 1994. He was a member of the N.E.W. Antique Power
Association in Door County, and also served as president of that
club. He was also active in doing woodworking since his retirement
six years ago from his job at Kubiak Pools, Green Bay, where he had
worked for 26 years.
Dick is survived by his wife, Rose, three sons, four daughters
and 18 grandchildren. His passing will leave a void that will be
impossible to fill.
Submitted by Edward A. Westen, E2762 County F, Kewaunee,
Wisconsin 54216.
BURDETTE (BUZZY) LEWIS of Middleville, Michigan, 76, passed away
on December 30, 1993 at Blogget Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He will be greatly missed by his family, wife and friends. He
collected alligator wrenches and gas engines.
He was a member of the Kalamazoo Gas Engine Club and enjoyed
going to other engine shows in Michigan and Florida. He worked on
outboard motors and old tractors.
Submitted by his wife, Margaret Lewis, 526 Bluff Drive,
Middleville, Michigan 49333.
