IN MEMORIAM

By Staff
Published on October 1, 1995
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RICHARD (DICK) H. GEYER, died February 7, 1995. He was born
August 7, 1921, and lived his entire life in the Manchester, South
Dakota, community. He attended county grade school and graduated
from Manchester High School in 1939. He worked for a short time on
the farm before entering the US Navy. Dick served in World War II
in the Pacific and was in the invasion of Okinawa, Japan. He was
honorably discharged in August 1946.

Dick was engaged in farming until the time of his death. He
enjoyed collecting antiques and displaying his collectibles. He was
the sponsor of the annual Pioneer Gas and Steam Show held every
year on Father’s Day weekend for the past 27 years. He belonged
to several clubs for cars, tractors and gas engines. He displayed
antique machinery for 25 years at the South Dakota State Fair.

Among survivors who are grateful for having shared his life are
his wife, Joyce, of DeSmet, South Dakota; five sons, Ronald (Linda)
of DeSmet; Wayne (Carol) of DeSmet; Jerry of Huron, South Dakota;
Danny (Linda), of DeSmet; and Rex (Lynette), of DeSmet; one
daughter Bonnie Geyer of Huron, South Dakota; 10 grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren.

Submitted by Patti Christensen, Box 85, Lennox, South Dakota
57039.

WARREN S. PORTER, age 73, of Lathrop, Missouri, died February 7,
1995 after a long battle with cancer.

After graduating from high school he was employed by Porterfield
Aircraft to build gliders. He was called to the Army and assigned
to the 82nd Airborne Division where he flew in gliders.

After his discharge from the Army, he farmed and later became
interested in collecting and restoring tractors and gas engines. He
was a charter member and tireless worker in the Lathrop Antique
Car, Tractor and Engine Club. He attended many shows and his
‘special’ was driving his restored 1918 Moline with a
mowing machine.

Warren attended the first show at the Missouri State Fair for
restored tractors called ‘The Best of the Best.’ He won
first prize for the oldest tractor and first prize for best
restored. This happened the next year also, but after that Warren
would not enter the competition. He just exhibited his
tractors.

He was a gifted mechanic and built, from parts gathered at
different places and gifts from friends, a 1919 Smith Farm A Truck.
It is a wonderful piece of work and his grandson Andrew drove it in
the parade in June. His Moline will continue to be exhibited at
shows.

GEM was the first thing he read each month.

He is survived by his wife Virginia, a son, daughter, four
stepchildren and eight grandchildren.

Warren will be remembered as the ‘Moline Man,’ and for
his willingness to help friends with problems in tractors and
engines. A memorial is established to build a museum at the Lathrop
Show Grounds where his restored tractors and other antiques will be
displayed.

Submitted by his wife Virginia, Rt. 2, Box 201, Lathrop,
Missouri 64465.

PHIL BAKER, 82, of Keyser, West Virginia, passed away on July 9,
1995. Phil was born February 18, 1913 in Burlington, West Virginia,
and lived in the Burlington/Keyser area all his life.

He was a sign painter by trade, founding the Neet Sign Company,
but his skills and interests ranged far and wide. He was involved
in restorations of antique cars, airplanes, advertising
memorabilia, and antique tools. He was skilled in both wood and
metal turning, as well as fine woodworking, and a wide range of
other hand crafts.

In his role as sign painter, he lettered everything from
restored antique cars and airplanes, gold leafed window signs, and
neon signs, to a large portion of his extensive collection of gas
engines. In addition to fine paint jobs and lettering on restored
engines, he machined parts, crafted fine wood frame wagons for
their display, and researched their history.

He began his antique engine collection in the 1960s, expanding
and improving its quality through the years. He was a regular
exhibitor at Berryville, Virginia; New Centreville, Pennsylvania;
Wolfsville, Maryland, and others, as well as being a knowledgeable
resource person to all who knew him.

In addition to operating his sign business, he served as
Maintenance Supervisor at Potomac State College for 10 years.

An Army veteran of World War II, he served in Newfoundland in
reconnaissance photography. He was a West Virginia 4-H All Star and
a member of several civic organizations. He is survived by his
wife, Edna (Porter) Baker, and three daughters.

Submitted by his daughter, Sue Bowers, 9024 Charles Augustine
Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22308.

We note the passing of Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor
Association National President Jack Versteeg’s father, and of
BILL NEATHERLIN. An active member of Branch 13, Bill passed away
April 18, 1995. He served as EDGE&TA National President in
1988-1989.

Submitted by Charley Stark, National Vice President,
EDGE&TA.

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