BERT MESSERSMITH, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania ‘A familiar face
was among the missing at several of the steam shows this past
season. After much suffering and several trips to the hospital,
Bert passed away. He was a life member of the Mason-Dixon
Historical Society and an active member. I am sure he had
membership in other clubs of like nature.
Uncle Bert was a skilled engineman and a friendly person, whom
to know was to appreciate him. Anyone having a need for an
engineer, whould gladly have him to operate their engine. Bert
enjoyed a Penns-Dutch conversation when meeting anyone who could
talk the language.
A short time before he died, he celebrated his birthday
anniversary which was attended by many of his friends from the
steam clubs. He was past the 80 year mark.’ Submitted by H. W.
Allgire, Route 3, Hampstead, Maryland 21074.
LYNN L. LANGWORTHY of 4 Terrace Street, Alfred, New York died
suddenly February 17. A native and life-long resident of Alfred, he
had operated a plumbing business in the village of Alfred until his
retirement in 1954. He was 84.
He was a steam engine enthusiast for most of his life and was a
member of National Threshers of Ohio, N. Y. S. Pageant of Steam,
Williams Grove Assn., Pa.; New York Gas & Steam Assn.; Kinzers
Rough and Tumble Assn.; Shenandoah Valley Assn. Va.
Submitted by his wife, Anna May Langworthy, Alfred, New
York.
LOREN HABEGGAR, 84, of Jordan, Minnesota died February 13, 1974.
He was a member of the Scott-Carver Threshing Association for many
years. He loved antiques and old cars. He had a 1909 Model T Ford
that he drove in all parades far and near. He was a Ford Dealer in
Jordan, Minnesota for a long time. He was well-liked and was
everyone’s friend and will be missed by all.
Submitted by Florian C. Karl, Jordan, Minnesota 55352.
OTTO RNZIE of Trochu, ‘Alberta, Canada died March 5, 1974
after a lengthy illness. He was 61. He was an enthusiastic, active
member of The Pioneer Acres Plowmen and Threshermen’s Club of
Langdon, Alberta. He will be missed by his fellow members.
Submitted by Mrs. Vivian K. Winter, R.R. 5, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada T2P 2G6.
C. B. KILLING, 83 of Coal Valley died June 27, 1973 at Moline
Lutheran Hospital after a prolonged illness. C. B. will be
remembered as one of the great steam engine men of his era. He
attended all the Midwest steam engine shows. The first engine Mr.
Killing ran was a 6 HP Nichols & Shepard owned by his father.
It was traded for a 13 horse Garr Scott engine. It was traded for
his 18 HP Garr-Scott engine, separator and water wagon that was
bought new in 1913. This outfit was owned and operated by its
original owner, Byford Killing for 60 years. Mr. Killing had a
wonderful collection of old machinery from antique tractors, clover
hullers to fodder shredders and numerous other items.
Submitted by Arthur Flack and Son, Gary, New Windsor, Illinois
61465
BERNARD M. SKILLEN died suddenly from a heart attack April 7,
1974 at the age of 55. Machinery played a big role in Bernard’s
life. Being employed for 28 years at John Deere Waterloo Tractor
Works on supervision. His love for the items of his heritage
brought him to Antique Acres where he was elected President of the
club in 1970 to 1972. He was elected to the Board of Directors,
which he still held at the time of his death. He was an ardent
steam fan and had a number of threshing machines, water wagons, old
tractors and gas engines. These were all restored to running
condition. His presence in life with his warm friendly smile and
cheery greeting will be missed by many.
Submitted by Mrs. Derwood Heine, Antique Acres, Route 1, 7610
Waverly, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
A. H. MASON of Arlington, Virginia, noted physicist and
mathematician, died January 31, 1974. He was 68 and regularly
attended and exhibited at the Shenandoah Valley Steam and Gas
Engine Association Show each year at Berryville, Virginia. He spoke
at the 1973 Club Banquet on ‘The History of Steam Navigation on
the Eastern Shore of Virginia’, a book he had recently
written.
Submitted by Linda Giles, Route 1, Box 97, Bunker Hill, West
Virginia 25413.
GEORGE S. SIMPSON, 70, South Chelmsford, Massachusetts, passed
away April 12, 1974. He was well known in the New England area for
his collection and private museum of gas engines, also a steam
engine collector.
Submitted by the Harnden Family of Haggetts Pond Road, Andover,
Massachusetts 01810.
CLARENCE A. SHINNESS, 76, died October 9, 1973. He attended the
Rushville Indiana Steam Engine Show last year and although it wore
him out, he enjoyed it so much. Thanks for giving him so many hours
of enjoyment. He read and re-read your magazine each time it
came.
Submitted by Mrs. C. A. Shinness, 121 Myrtle Avenue, North
Vernon, Indiana 47265.
DONALD E. SANDBERG, 55, 4209 29th Ave. So., Minneapolis,
Minnesota passed away November 2, 1973. He was a Life Member of the
Western Minnesota Steam Thresher Reunion at Rollag, Minn. His hobby
was building small scale steam engines, some of which he displayed
at the shows. He was Chief Engineer for the Ford Motor Co. in St.
Paul, Minn. He will be missed by all.
Submitted by Donald A. Tonder, 3424 32nd Ave. S., Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55406.
