Western Missouri has lost one of its best showmen and
collectors, GEORGE W. DELAMETER, 68 years old, Rt. #6, Lee’s
Summit, Missouri. George passed away October 14, 1992 from
cancer.
George was one of the early supporters of the Western Missouri
Antique Tractor and Machinery Association, of Adrian, Missouri. He
also had his own ‘Old Fashioned Threshing Bee’ the past
nine years in Lee’s Summit.
Besides being known as one of our best collectors, he also had
his soft side, such as giving a twelve year old farm boy near
Archie, Missouri, his own B Farm-all to restore.
He is truly missed by his many, many friends and fellow
collectors.
Submitted by Sgt. C. H. ‘Connie’ Henley, Retired, 511
Graff Way. Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081.
RICHARD FOURNIER, known as ‘Wood Chopper,’ passed away
September 29, 1992, at his home in Warwick, Massachusetts at the
age of 48, after a short illness.
Richard was born August 11, 1944 in Montague, Massachusetts. He
married Ruth Metivier on December 28, 1968 in Hudson. He is
survived by his wife Ruth, sons Richard Jr. and Scott, and his
grandson Alex, all of Warwick, Massachusetts.
Richard was a woodsman for many years, and for the last ten
years he has worked for the town of Warwick.
He was a member of the Central Massachusetts Steam, Gas and
Machinery Association of Orange, Massachusetts for several
years.
My fondest memories of Richard are seeing him at the engine
shows. He had a deep love for old iron. There he would be leaning
on his truck, a big grin, cigar hanging out of his mouth, a real
tower of a man! He really enjoyed watching the flywheels of his
pride and joy spin around.
Richard recently completed the restoration of his 9 HP Sattley
engine with the help of his son Scott. Club members were all
honored to see it run at our spring show.
Richard will be deeply missed by all of his friends. He was one
of the many great people you meet at engine shows.
Submitted by: Wayne & Denise McCartney, 59 Riley Switch
Road, Templeton, MA 01468.
FRANZ JOSEF KREHBIEL, 57, died of a heart attack at his home in
Morrison, Colorado on August 9. A native of Lemon Cove, California,
Joe had spent much of his adult life in Colorado where he was a
counselor at the Columbine Psychiatric Center in Littleton.
Joe’s life could be characterized by his service to others.
He was a member of the advisory board of Red Rocks Community
College and was winding down his second year as president of the
Front Range Antique Power Association. It takes a special guy to
successfully lead a cantankerous group of engine and tractor folk
and Joe was that guy. He was dedicated to ‘building
memories’ and he left some nice ones.
Joe is survived by three sons, Robert, Kenneth and Bradley, all
of Carbondale, Colorado; a brother, a sister, and one
grandchild.
Joe rode to his final resting place at Evergreen Memorial Park
in an elegant Victorian funeral coach, pulled by an old Ford
tractor.
Submitted by Stan McAlister, 13553 West Virginia Drive,
Lakewood, Colorado 80228.
JOHN B. HOWES, 52, of Sidney, New York, passed away July 12,
1992. John had been in a wheelchair for 27 years, but that
didn’t stop him from being one of the most avid collectors of
full-size antique tractors and gasoline engines around. He is
survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Karen and granddaughter
Teresa. He was predeceased by a son, David. John had many friends
across the country and will be missed by all.
Submitted by Mrs. Barbara Howes, 29 Adams Street, Sidney, New
York 13838.
MR. H. C. LANKFORD, SR., 82, Bessemer City, North Carolina died
October 23, 1992. He was a retired farmer and plumber and a
lifelong resident of Gaston County. A charter member of Gaston
Agricultural, Mechanical and Textile Restoration Association and
ardent supporter of the annual Cotton Ginning Days Engine Show in
Dallas, North Carolina, he and his family are considered the first
family of GAMTRA. They have provided lunch each year for all
exhibitors at Cotton Ginning Days. He and his wife Virginia
provided the financing for the machinery to equip the 1900 cotton
gin to be named in their honor. He was a very intelligent person
and his advice will be greatly missed.
He is survived by three sons, H. C., Jr., Bill, and Fred; three
daughters, Freida, Sarah, and Mary; 12 grand children and 10
great-grandchildren.
Submitted by Ray L. Medford, President, Gaston Agricultural,
Mechanical and Textile Restoration Association, 2623 Shaw Avenue,
Gastonia, North Carolina 28054.
MR. EVANS C. STROUD, Shelby, North Carolina, died October 18,
1992. Mr. Stroud was a self-employed businessman and avid engine
and tractor collector. He was a charter member of Gaston
Agricultural, Mechanical and Textile Restoration Association.
While he was not an active exhibitor, he searched from
Pennsylvania to Georgia for engines and tractors to add to his
collection. He was a familiar sight at many local festivals and
fairs with his engines and grist mill, grinding corn meal for the
spectators. He will be greatly missed by his many collector friends
and acquaintances.
He is survived by his wife, Melissa; a son, Charles; two
daughters, Jane Smart and Judy Carpenter; a brother, William; and
six grandchildren.
Submitted by Ray L. Medford, President, Gaston Agricultural,
Mechanical, and Textile Restoration Association, 2623 Shaw Ave.,
Gastonia, NC 28054.
My good friend, GEORGE BUNTING, died October 26, 1992. George
was 54 years of age, which seems much too young, but this is not to
question God’s will.
My family and I were very fortunate to have known George and
have him become involved with our business of supplying antique
engine parts. He did so much for all of us in the engine hobby with
his innovative methods of making new parts for the old iron.
George lived in the Warren, Ohio area all his life and was a
millwright at Packard Electric in Warren before retiring in 1987.
He was also a member of the Stern wheel Association of Marietta,
Ohio, and had built his own full-size sternwheeler, including the
hull. He is survived by his wife, Pat, two daughters, and two
sons.
I have a full file of George’s drawings and comments on
parts and we refer to them regularly. He will be thought of every
day. I still catch myself reaching for the phone to call him. I
just wish I had a number.
Submitted by Ed Deis, Hit & Miss Enterprises, Box 157,
Orwell, OH 44076.
