Western Regional Director Dick Tombrink made the presentations.
Gary Simpson nomination for EDGE&TA HOF 2019 As a past president of Branch 54, Lewis-Clark Antique Power Club, Inc., it is my pleasure to nominate Gary Simpson for induction into the EDGE&TA Hall of Fame. Gary is among our most active and supportive members. In addition he is one our most capable tractor/engine mechanic having been formally trained as a mechanic. Gary has served faithfully on the club’s board of directors 2016 through 2019 (re-elected. In addition, he is a member of Branch 197 The Inland Empire Steam & Gas Buffs. Branch 54 is honoring Gary for his unwavering support and enthusiastic participation in club meetings and activities. He and his wife Julie have the responsibility of maintaining club coolers and supplying beverages for club meetings and events. Plus, Gary has assumed the responsibility of planning, organizing and carrying out Branch 54’s annual tractor drive. Gary typically lines up a 30 to 35 mile drive through the back roads of the beautiful Palouse area of eastern Washington State. Drives usually parallel parts of the Snake River for fantastic views Further, Gary attends club plow days and often loans tractor (s) and plows to members that don’t own plowing equipment. And, he owns a large, well equipped shop and is generous with his time and experience to help club members with tractor and engine repairs. Activities in his shop includes mentoring young members restore their first tractor. Every fall, after wheat harvest is complete in eastern Washington, Gary plans and host “recreational straw baling using antique equipment and involving several club members. Typically 600 to 800 small bales of straw are baled and sold to offset fuel and other cost. Gary’s interest in collecting, restoring and using antique tractors and equipment is pretty much unmatched in our club. His restorations are expertly carried out with absolute original specs being followed. He is an expert when it comes to “bird-dogging” parts and supplies. He is pretty much “color-blind” with it comes to collecting tractors. He tends to favor Farmall and Ford tractors, but he also appreciates the unusual for eastern Washington. He most recent tractor purchase is a MMZTU. There can be little doubt that Gary Simpson is deserving of Hall of Fame status in EDGE&TA. I urge the selection committee to give his application utmost consideration.