LOUIS CHAPO died in Sacramento of a heart attack at the age of
69 on Saturday, January 18, 1992. Born December 19, 1922 in
Oakland, California, he grew up in Woodland, and graduated from
Woodland High School in 1941. He served in the 9th Air Corps, U.S.
Army, for three years during World War II. Later, he worked at
McClellan Air Force Base, retiring in 1976 after 35 years. He is
survived by his wife, June, two daughters, three stepdaughters and
a stepson, six grandchildren, and his brother, Art Chapo.
Lou originally joined EDGE&TA, Branch 6, in 1969. It was
decided in 1970 that a club should be formed in the Sacramento
area. A fall meet was held at Cliff Hardy’s in Woodland that
year. Lou was the organizer and one of the founders of the Early
Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association, Branch 13.
The organizational meeting was held in January, 1971 with 40
charter members being signed up. Branch 13 has grown in size to the
present day total of over 600 members. Branch 13 attributes its
success to the great fellowship enjoyed by its members and the
willingness of older members to assist those who have more recently
joined.
Lou served as our first president for nine years and was also
the first newsletter editor, naming it The Chugger. Lou also served
as national president of the EDGE&TA for three years. He
remained a member until his death, even though his health did not
allow him to remain an active participant.
He was also vice-president of the Funk Aircraft Owners
Association, serving as their self-designated Historian and
Researcher. In everything he was involved in, he felt a real need
to assist in any way possible. Submitted by Ernie Goddard, a friend
and Branch 13 charter member.
BOB NEINER, age 68, died at his farm home west of Manteno,
Illinois, September 27, 1991, after a lingering illness.
Bob was a member of the Will County Threshermen’s
Association and The Olde Time Farm Show for many years.
He enjoyed demonstrating his Case 65 steam engine and Avery
32′ threshing machine. He also displayed his Aultman Taylor on
the sawmill and pulling an 8 bottom steam engine plow.
He was instrumental in donating the use of his heavy earth
moving equipment in preparing two show sites for the Will County
Threshermen’s Association. His contributions and assistance
will be missed by all. Submitted by Mel Meyer, past president,
SCTA, 19159 Riegel, Homewood, IL 60430.
MARVIN FOUSS of Winside, Nebraska passed away on February 14,
1992. Marvin was a collector of many large tractors and at one time
had his own show. He was in ill health for several years. He
attended many of the shows and will be missed. Marv was a long time
member of the Pioneer Machinery Club of Merrill, Iowa. Submitted by
Harry Bonnema, Box 226, RR #4, LeMars, Iowa 51031.
My young friend and engine enthusiast MATTHEW BLAKE, beloved son
of Paul and Jean Blake of Georgetown, Pa., passed away on January
16, 1992 at the age of 20.
When Matthew was nine years old he developed renal failure. He
began kidney dialysis in June of 1983 at the age of 12, but
received a transplant in October of that same year. During this
time, he bought his first tractor, a 1938 long hood John Deere B.
In 1987, he and his mom were trained for home dialysis so that he
would have more time and a more flexible schedule for restoring
engines. Since then he had bought three tractors and nine engines.
From age 14 until last year, he had searched for a
‘Bobtail’ Able base to complete the engine parts he bought
at an auction in 1985. His dream came true when a friend from the
home show traded him the base in exchange for a cylinder.
Voted in as one of the Board of Directors, he was a very active
member of the Beaver Valley Antique Equipment & Crafts
Association. He loved to go to engine shows at Coolspring, National
Pike, Portersville, Louisville, Saegertown, Stumptown, and his home
show at Hookstown.
He will be sadly missed by his dad and mom, sister and brothers,
relatives, friends, and all the antique tractor, engine and
equipment collectors who knew him.
Although I had only known Matt a few short years, we became good
friends mostly via correspondence and long phone conversations.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to Matt’s family. Submitted
by Bruce A. Lawson, Sprague Hill Rd., Falconer, New York 14733.
ARTHUR P.’ BRIG’ BRIGHAM, 63, died January 22, 1991 at
home in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Husband of Helen Case Brigham,
great-granddaughter of J. I. Case, Brig had been the editor of the
Eagle, newsletter of the J. I. Case Heritage Foundation.
Born in Washington, D.C., Brig grew up in Montgomery County,
Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland as a
journalism major. From 1959 until his 1981 retirement, he served as
Public Affairs Officer of the Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission.
While reading a Gaithersburg, Maryland weekly newspaper, Brig
spotted the item (a picture of a Case steam engine) which led him
and his wife into their intense involvement with antique machinery
and the engine collecting hobby. He was a frequent contributor to
IMA and GEM. Submitted by Helen Case Brigham, P.O. Box 5128, Bella
Vista, Arkansas 72714.