LESLIE E. (LES) GOOD, 73, of Front Royal, Virginia died May 1,
1997 following a battle with leukemia.
Les served with the Army Amphibious Engineers in the South
Pacific during World War II. He was employed by the American
Viscose Corporation in Front Royal and later at Mt. Weather in
Clarke County, Virginia, prior to his retirement. He was a member
of the Front Royal United Methodist Church and the Warren Heritage
Society.
In 1979 he became a director of the Shenandoah Valley Steam and
Gas Engine Association of Berryville, Virginia. He served as
president of the group from 1980 until his death. He was very
instrumental in the Berryville Show growing to be the largest and
most complete show in Virginia. The group built a large equipment
storage and meeting room building during this time. Many pieces of
equipment, including a Huber traction engine, were acquired during
his presidency.
His personal collection included various makes of gas engines
and associated equipment.
Les leaves his wife, Rebecca; a son, Phillip, and daughter,
Karen. He also leaves three grandchildren.
The past twelve years my husband, Rick, has served as Les’s
vice-president. During this time we got to know Les very well. I
greatly admired him for his love and devotion to his family and the
pride he showed in being a father and grandfather. He also had
quite a sense of humor, always having a joke ready to tell. This
was still very evident even on the day before he died. As I stood
at his bedside with him squeezing my hand, I asked Les if he was
behaving himself. He halfway grinned and responded, ‘Trying
to.’
Everyone at the Berryville Show truly misses Leslie Good, but he
is fondly remembered for his time and dedication to the Shenandoah
Valley Steam and Gas Engine Association.
Submitted by Linda Giles Custer, 75 Spring Blossom Lane,
Gerrardstown, West Virginia 25420.
CHARLES A. SMALLEY of Mason, Michigan passed away on October 15,
1996 at the age of 79 years.
Charley was a member of the Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers
Club for many years. He was a farmer most of his life and enjoyed
the outdoors, and also old equipment. He and his son, Dennis,
collected antique tractors and gas engines, steam engines and many
other things. Charley enjoyed going to auction sales, even if he
didn’t buy anything. Charley wasn’t much of a traveler but
several of us got him talked into going along to a sale in North
Dakota one time. We had a real enjoyable time. He used to remark on
this trip a lot.
Charley was a good friend to many and helped them when he could.
He had a shop where we used to gather. There was normally some sort
of rebuild job going on in there. You could help or just sit and
watch.
The engine club has been very fortunate to have had the use of
some of his ground to hold their show for a number of years.
Charley used to take care of the threshing at the show until the
last few years. He would also try to look after the grounds,
watering newly planted trees and doing other things. He is one of
those whose loss is felt by many. I, as well as many others, am
proud that I knew him.
Another one has passed away and we realize how few of the older
ones involved in this hobby are left.
He was preceded in death by his wife. He left only his son
Dennis and three granddaughters.
Submitted by John E. Schrock, 7411 S. Perrin Road, Osseo,
Michigan 49266-9558.
