ROBERT A. KIPFER, died July 11, 1977. He had been president of
the Threshermen’s Reunion and member of the board for many
years. Bob was a real craftsman in many ways. He had a way with
words that not everyone possesses. He could write about an event he
had experienced long ago as if it were yesterday. His craftsmanship
did not end with words. He was a hand at other crafts as well. He
could use his hands to polish off a tune on the organ or to polish
off a scar from a piece of furniture. He could clean out a swimming
pool filter or repair a Swiss music box. He was as at home with a
lathe making wooden parts for little toys as he was with a roller
organ playing ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ But, most of all Bob
was concerned with the passing of time. His clocks were a symbol of
that. One of Bob’s views of life was ‘I still think, while
doing my tour of duty here on earth, I have seen more progress than
a man living in any other equal time. What lies ahead for my
descendants is hard to guess, but I think it will be good and may
put us to shame for progress.’
Bob had a love of farming and a love of kids which he combined
in his little Swiss toy shop which he brought to the Hobby Building
of the reunions with his wife, Hazel.
Now if there is such progress to be guessed for our descendants,
what is ahead for Bob and for others who have died in the faith and
gone to be with the angels and the ancestors? The Apostle Paul
expresses it this way ‘Death has lost its sting and it has been
robbed of victory through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.’ So
you see there is much more to cling to than a precious memory and a
wholesome respect for Bob Kipfer. We also anticipate, accept and
joyfully await a reunion hope you don’t miss the tremendous
appropriateness of that Bob has spent 28 years working for
reunions, and that is just what will reunite us.
(This has been some excerpts from The Rev. Kennent Dobson’s
eulogy.) Submitted by H. E. Beckemeyer, Route 5, Champaign,
Illinois 61820.
MODE HAMPTON, 78, Rt. 13, Clarksville, Tennessee, died November
30, 1977 following a heart attack. He was a member of the
Presbyterian Church, Odd Fellows and charter member and one of the
original directors of the Tennessee-Kentucky Threshermen’s
Association. He was a plumber by trade but was greatly interested
in steam. The association acquired several pieces of equipment
through him, a Keck-Gonnerman 32′ separator, a boiler for the
Corliss engine and other items. He owned a Frick stationary engine
and a Huber portable that he exhibited at the shows. He was a great
help in putting on the show. He did most of the boiler testing and
was always on hand to help with any repairs or anything else that
anyone needed. He was a top notch mechanic. Four years ago he
completely rebuilt a 65 HP Case, a Frick and a Nichols &
Sheppard engine and at the time of his death was looking for
another engine to refurbish. Somehow he would always find parts for
them. He knew just how and where to get things done.
Mr. Hampton was a gentleman of the old school. His family and
many friends will miss him, especially the Tennessee-Kentucky
Threshermen’s Association, to whom he was so faithful.
Submitted by Billy M. Byrd, 369 South Harrig Street, Madisonuille,
Kentucky 42431.
GEORGE C. SEARSON, age 65, of Watford, Ontario, Canada died
November 10, 1977 in his hunting camp about 25 miles northwest of
Parry Sound, Ontario. George was one of the organizers of the first
steam shows in Canada, The Western Ontario Steam Threshers. He also
helped to organize the Huron Pioneer Threshers Association. George
had the pleasure to be the first Canadian director of The National
Threshers Association. George was well known for his ability and
knowledge about the steam engines. He was the proud owner of two 20
HP Sawyer-Massey steam engines which he showed at both Bridgen and
Blyth. George started threshing with his father and they bought a
rebuilt steam engine when he was 16. In 1934 he bought an abandoned
sawmill and set it up on his father’s farm in Brooke Township,
just south of Watford. In 1936 he moved to his new property and set
up his sawmill in Watford. From this point in time he and his
father continued both custom threshing and sawing. In 1938 he
bought his father’s interest of the threshing outfit. He
continued threshing until 1945 when he sold the separator. In 1955
the old girl blew a hole in her plate. George, being the steam buff
he was, went out and bought his second 20 HP Sawyer-Massey.
In 1960 he had the first engine rebuilt and has had both in
working order since. George has used steam for all his life and
knew no other kind of horsepower. George had one other great
interest in life which was the Masonic Lodge. Submitted by his
wife, Nelena and his four sons, Claremon, F. Carlyle, Harley and R.
Darryl.
CHESTER HILER, 69, of Okeana, Ohio, passed away quite suddenly
of a heart attack on October 31, 1977. Mr. Hiler was on the board
of directors of the Pioneer Engineers Club of Indiana at Rushville.
He had attended the officers meeting on the preceding Saturday
evening of October 29.
He was also head of the boiler safety committee and was the head
sawyer for the Rushville Show. He was a well-known sawmill operator
in the Okeana community. He was a member of the Darke Co. Steam
Threshers of Greenville, Miami Valley Steam Thresher of London, and
the Ohio Valley Antique Machinery Club of Georgetown, Ohio. He was
also engineer on the Kings Island Amusement Park steam railroad
near Cincinnati.
He left countless friends who will all share their sense of deep
loss next summer at the shows by his absence. Submitted by Jerry
Moorman, R. R. 6, Greensburg, Indiana 47240 (Pioneer Engineers
Club).
ARCHIE F. STEVENS, 70 Millville, Minnesota died October 14, 1977
at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Wabasha, Minnesota. He farmed in Oakwood
Township and was an outstanding antique collector. Together with
his son, Arnold, and family they staged the ‘Peaceful Valley
Threshing Bee’ for several years. Submitted by Gilmar Johnson,
Frederic, Wisconsin 54837.
WILLIS H. HERSHEY of Paradise, Pennsylvania, who for many years
operated a large threshing rig in this vicinity, died January 2,
1978, at age 81 years, having been stricken three weeks earlier. He
was one of the original directors of the Rough & Tumble
Engineers Historical Association, Kinzers, Pennsylvania, and until
last year served as curator of the museum. It can be said that he
died in the harness, since his last effort was in the promotion of
the association he loved so much. He was stricken while working at
his little desk in the museum of the Rough & Tumble Engineers.
Submitted by Wilmer J. Eshleman, 722 East End Avenue, Lancaster,
Pennsylvania 17602.
WALTER McCASKY died October 14, 1977 at Monte Cassino Nursing
Home, Toluca, Illinois. He had been ill for a year. Walt had been a
member of Central States Thresherman Reunion at Pontiac, Illinois
for many years and had shown and operated an Aultman Taylor steam
engine. His father and brothers had operated steam threshing
machines and corn shellers for many years in the LaRose area.
Submitted by his brother, Herbert W. McCasky, Toluca, Illinois
61369.
CLARENCE LANDORF of Naperville, Illinois died at his home
suddenly on November 6 at the age of 67. He was a member of
Northern Illinois Steam Club and the Will County Threshers
Association. He owned and operated a 1906 18 HP Nichols &
Shepard which he enjoyed taking to the shows. He was very
interested in all steam and gas engines. Submitted by his wife,
Lillian, R.F.D., Naperville, Illinois 60540.
ANDY IHRKE, 67, of Zumbrota, Minnesota died September 15, 1977
at the Community Hospital. He was a long time steam engine and gas
engine enthusiast, attending many shows. He was also a hobbyist,
having made miniature steam engines, models of farm wagons, covered
wagons, stage coaches, ox carts, hand-braided ropes and many other
articles. He also had a large collection of antiques and gas
engines. He is sadly missed by friends and his widow, who will have
an auction in the spring of many of his items. Submitted by his
wife, Mrs. Edna Ihrke, 605 Pearl Street, Zumbrota, Minnesota.
