MRS. ALLARD PETERSON, 66, Eland, Wisconsin, died recently in
Wausau Hospital. She was a former member of the North Central
Wisconsin Steam and Gas Engine Club Her surviving husband is a
well-known writer of early Central Wisconsin history and other
stories of early farming days. She will be missed by all those who
knew her.
RAYMOND L. ARNOLD of Cavalier, North Dakota, passed away April
4, 1983, at the age of 81. For many years Raymond and his two
brothers were always at every threshing show in the area always
thinking and talking tractors, both gas and steam. They also used
them for many years on their farm plowing, threshing and on the saw
mill. Raymond had served in the U.S. Navy for four years during WW
II. He was a quiet man and if he liked you, you had a friend. He
will be missed by many of them.
Submitted by W. O. Krumwiede, Voltaire, North Dakota
58792.
CURTIS R. SAWYER, 71, died February 11, 1983. He was a farmer
for many years. He was a retired employee of Lancaster Fairfield
Hospital for 16 years. He was engineer at Kings Island steam train,
member of Miami Valley Steam Threshers, the Railroad Museum at
Worthington and member of the Lancaster-Glen ford Antique Car and
Steam Association.
Submitted by his wife, Mary Sawyer, Box 36, Stouts Ville,
Ohio 43154.
RALPH W. (POLLY) LEIST, 80, died January 20, 1983. He was a
retired 28-year boiler fireman at the Pick away County Court House.
He served as court bailiff, Deputy Sheriff and served on the police
force. He was a WW II veteran, a member of Hall-Adkins Post of
American Legion, member of Miami Valley Steam Threshers
Association, member of the National American Trap Shooting
Association and member of the National Rifle Association.
Submitted by Mary Sawyer, Box 36, Stoutsuille, Ohio
43154.
OSCAR E. BUESCHER of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away April
6, 1983 at the age of 76. Oscar was born May 8, 1906 in St. Louis,
Missouri.
For many years he had a trucking business, threshing, clover
hauling, and saw milling. he operated and owned a number of
different makes of traction engines. He also worked as engineer for
Chicago Northwestern railroad until he retired in January of 1963.
He was a member of the BLE of Locomotive Engineers. He served as
Tax Collector in Pin Oak Township for 24 years. He was one of the
early subscribers to the Iron Men Album, when it was called
‘Farm Album.’
Due to a long illness, he was not able to run his engines; but
Oscar always enjoyed talking about steam. Oscar will be missed by
his family and many friends in steam land.
Submitted by W. Hartge, Edwardsville, Illinois.
Another member of the Old Guard has been lost to the live steam
fraternity with the passing of WAYLAID G. (Willie) WORDEN on March
25, 1983.
Willie died peacefully in his sleep at his home in La Cresenta,
California, suffering from a massive heart attack. He was a devoted
live steam man, born in Buffalo, New York in 1915, and was bitten
by the steam bug at the tender age of eight by being allowed to
operate a full-size steam road roller by a friendly engineer.
He was a charter member of the Los Angeles Live Steamers, but
allowed his active membership to lapse in later years due to other
interests and health reasons. He built and operated many steam
projects in his lifetime, including a beautifully detailed live
steam electrical generating plant, which he displayed for a number
of years at the Live Steam grounds in Griffith Park.
Willie spent much of his life as a Radio and Television
engineer, the last twenty years or so on Mt. Wilson, North of
Pasadena, CA., as transmitter engineer at KHJ, Channel 9. He
retired about 1978, vowing to clean up his shop and get going on
his projects. He accomplished many things in the years of his
retirement, but, of course, a lot of projects were not completed.
But as the Poet said, ‘The strings of life are never tied
completely.’
An accomplished machinist, a good friend with an unsuppressable
sense of humor, and a man it was a privilege to know. That was
Willie. We miss him.
Submitted by Paul Holton.
NORRIS L. CHAMBERS of Easton, Maryland died on March 9, 1983 at
the age of 77.
Mr. Chambers was a charter member and vice-president of the;
Eastern Shore Threshermen & Collectors Association, Inc. at the
time of his death.
He had always been a dedicated) member and enjoyed taking part
in parades as well as helping exhibit equipment at various
functions. He was always able and ready to lend a hand when needed.
He was seen often during the summer months cutting grass at the
Association’s show grounds.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, who supported him in many
projects and was always by his side helping when she could.
Mr. Chambers will be greatly missed, although fond memories will
remain.
Submitted by Brenda Layton, Secretary, Eastern Shore
Threshermen & Collectors Association, lnc
