HOF Members

Bob Learned enjoyed restoring Briggs & Stratton engines, and other related equipment. So much so, he was forced to buy a trailer to show them all at the various shows around the area. Of all the engines Briggs & Stratton made over the years, Bob was only missing a few examples, and had some of the rarest engines around. In doing so, he had developed several web pages with specifications and technical information on the engines that are still posted on the EDGE&TA web site today. He also wrote a book on the B&S engines. People even today still make reference to his technical information he compiled over the years. Bob was one of the biggest B&S engine collectors on the West Coast, and spent much of his time helping others with their equipment and problems. Bob also served on the Branch 3 board of directors, handled their membership lists and label printing needs, and, at the National level he was the web master for EDGE&TA’s home page on the Internet. Bob was a pioneer in the use of digital photography, and oftentimes he would take digital pictures at a show, and have them available for viewing on the EDGE&TA home page before most folks got home from the show. Though he is gone now, he will always be remembered for the person he was, a good husband, father, and good friend. Bob was a quiet man, but his actions spoke louder than his words.

Bob Alexander works behind the front lines to develop guidelines and plans for accomplishing the goals, and promoting philosophies that are similar to those of EDGE&TA. Bob was very instrumental in the organization of the Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association and later encouraged the affiliation with National EDGE&TA. Bob was the first president of Branch 27 and has served as an officer and board member several times since the founding of the club in 1985. He has been a member of Branches 3 and 8 in addition to Branch 27. He was instrumental in developing Branch 3 in its early day’s.

Currently, Branch 27 typically hosts about 15 shows a year. Early records indicate that this number has developed from 2-4 shows a year to the current 15. Bob has been encouraging and assisted in the development of the shows over this period of time. Bob has often served as host for at lease one of these shows each year, assisting with making the arrangements and encouraging members to participate.

Bob is always available to assist those who are involved with restoration of vintage equipment. This includes helpful hints to assist starting machines that have hit a balky spot to putting a strong hand to a flywheel to turn large engine, or lending parts from personal engines in order for a similar parts to be constructed for engines of club members. Not only does he assist in this direct manner, but he also is fond of showing and telling the story of how and why these type of tools were used to reduce labor-intensive jobs at numerous schools in the community. Bob is one of those folks who understands the children and their desire to learn and is willing to go the extra mile to accomplish education of the young. Recently Bob and his wife have acquired a vintage-braiding machine. This machine is powered by one of his vintage single cylinder engines. They are a major attraction at shows and typically have all ages of people watching and asking questions about this equipment. They provide a length of braided cord for a nominal fee to cover thread costs. Happy faces indicate the popularity of this exhibit. Bob and Elouise and their exhibit were featured in the Gas Engine Magazine (Nov. 2001).

Bob has also used inter-active exhibits to grind corn, slice cabbage, weave rope, and pump water. Frequently he will show a trailer-mounted active windmill lifting water that is dispersed through a series of faucets and other outlets. Bob always comes to a show with an active display, frequently with multiple engines and associated working attachments.

While the numbers of engines a nominee has in his or her possession probably should not carry a lot of weight in an eventual appointment, Bob has enough in his series of shops to make most club members drool a bit. But unless one goes to visit him, you will not know of the variety and extent of his collection. Several of his engines are unique and not commonly found in that area.

Bob and his wife travel extensively to participate in shows. Last year he made several trips to display engines. It is not unusual for him to travel over 10,000 miles a year to participate in various shows. He made a trip to Canada early in year 2001. Later he and his wife traveled to Portland, Indiana with a trailer load of engines to display and run. He spent eight weeks attending shows throughout the Midwest and New Mexico. He not only travels extensively, but also participates in many of the local chapter shows. Bob is very competent in restoring single cylinder engines, as well as old automotive engines.

Bob, a long time resident of Fremont California, passed away at his home on the first of July 2001 at 70 years, nine months.

Bob enjoyed purchasing and restoring antique engines and was known as the “Tinkering Fremont Man.” From 1976 to 1983, Bob with his wife Jean, took trips lasting from four to six weeks each year. They displayed and demonstrated 21 County Fairs including the California State Fair. Along the way, they stopped at libraries and cemeteries to further Jean’s research of their family histories.

Bob, with his background as a farmer and knowledge of machinery, was hired to help open the East Bay Regional Park’s “Ardenwood Historic Farm.” From 1984 to 1989, he was a supervisor and known as “Farmer Bob.” He was involved in the purchasing and training of the Belgian draft horses, sibling Charlie and Charlotte. The horses pulled the farming implements used to plow and plant the farm’s crops. These beautiful draft horses also gave public wagon rides around the historic farm.

Bob’s collection of antique engines dates from 1913 to 1933. He is a pioneer in restoring machinery and displaying their unique actions. Bob’s first engine was a McCormick-Deering water pump similar to the one he had on the farm as a boy. This ” Red Water Pump” was used in a performance of the play The Miracle Worker at Castro Valley High School in 1983.

From 1990 to 2001, the patrons of the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton benefited from the displays of Bob’s collection. Bob, as the curator, increased the size and interest in the exhibit, while Jean was the coordinator of Early American Life Antique Crafts and Museum. The exhibit includes restored machinery and demonstrations of crafts. Inside the building were displays of antique collections. The most popular spot among children, young and old, during the Fair was the wonderful ” Water Show and Display” that Bob developed.

Bob and Jean traveled across the United States from coast to coast focusing on museums, antique machinery shows, historic farms and fairs.

Some of the most valued times in his life were working with his daughters, Judy with dancing and talent shows and Marian with ice skating and amateur ice shows. And later with grandchildren Bobby and Chris with science and building projects, and Courtney with her doll house. Two of the projects were a tree house and a skate board ramp. The most outstanding was the red and green antique gas engine converted to a vehicle to pull grandchildren and loads in local parades.

Bob was a member of the Early Day Gas Engine & amp; Tractor Association Branch # 3 of San Jose, California and the American Association of Historic Farms and Museums.

Bob has restored a horse drawn fire pump. He also has restored around 50 engines and many tractors, steam rollers, and Windmills.

Carl and his wife Janet successfully raised three children, one of whom shares his interests in antique engines, and is a part of our club. Being part of a successful marriage doesn’t surprise us at all as Carl has been successful at almost everything he’s tried. His working career was spent with the Los Angeles Police Department. From which he retired in 1988. He and his wife then moved from their Santa Clarita Valley home in Southern California to their present eight-acre property in Penn Valley, CA. On there new property Carl took his rural country retirement like a duck to water. He and his wife began by building a comfortable and inviting home, a good-sized barn, and the usual out buildings such properties need.

Although Carl obtained his first hit and miss engine, a Fairbanks Morse Eclips, about thirty years ago in an old abandoned gold mine in Southern CA, he didn’t get involved in the club aspect of our hobby until after his retirement and moved to Northern CA. But once here he not only joined Branch 13, but also got involved in a big way, serving on their Board of Directors for 2 years, and as their Vice President for another 2 years. After that Carl worked to found our branch in Grass Valley, Nevada City area, namely Branch 111. The Gold Country Flywheelers. He not only founded this ranch but has served a couple of terms as its President, and has been an active board member. In these positions Carl not only developed our club into what it is today, but also has been instrumental in its success at every turn. It’s hard to put into words, but I think I could best describe him as always knowing the right thing to say, the right way to praise, and the right way to build enthusiasm, not only within our club, but within our community.

After his retirement Carl expanded his engine collection, mainly specializing in Hercules engines, although he’s always said that he’s never seen an engine he didn’t like. And now that he has the room, his collection has grown to include several engines from horse and ½ to his 9-horse side shaft, some flatbelt equipment, and even some garden and full tractors. And Carl has not only collected this equipment, but has built and outfitted a good sized machine shop on his property with enough tools and machinery to make most professional machinist drool. I know many of our other members have done this, but what has impressed me most about this retired policeman, is the level to which he has perfected his craft

Gus Peterson was born in Oregon in 1922 to a wheat farm family and grew up on a small cattle farm. He is married to Ruth and they have 3 sons. His formal education ended with the 12th grade. He graduated from a small town High School that graduated 5 seniors in 1940. He served as an infantry mechanic in the Army, which involved specialized training, and he took advantage of many short courses when ever possible. He has been a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and served on the local ambulance crew for 14 years. He joined the volunteer Fire Department in the city where he went to work for the local Ford dealership, upon his return from the army in 1946. He worked up to Captain of the No. 7 Company, a Fire department of 2 companies, in a town of 2200 persons. He left there in 1954 and moved back to there of his upbringing, a town of less than 200 people. He organized a Volunteer Fire department there and was Fire Chief for 25 years and is now the Assistant Chief. He worked for the local Electric Utility, as Fleet Mechanic for 29 years. until he retired in 1986. 

He is very enthusiastic about the things that the National Organization is accomplishing and has plans for and wants to continue o help achieve those goals. He feels that we should be strong on the aspect of the educational opportunities of our hobby. As time goes by, we have more and more people who have no way of knowing how we lived, and how things were done before the main place to get milk and eggs was the supermarket. EDGE&TA is in a unique position regarding the educational aspect of the hobby, where else can one find the golden opportunity we have it extend this knowledge. 

Gus served as a National Director from 1991 until 2002. He continues as an advisor and serves as the National and Regional show coordinator with the branches. He is a member of 5 branches (9, 12, 15, 21, and 67). He has not served as a branch officer simply because the nearest branch, the one he calls “home” is over 200 miles away. He attends as many branch meetings as he can, even though it usually involves a 2 day trip. He has attended 21 National shows since joining his first club in 1975. 

His EDGE&TA foals and objectives are to advise the Board of Directors on issues that are beneficial to the entire membership, to improve the communications between the branches and the National Board of Directors/Officers and to uphold the principles for which EDGE&TA was established. 

His community activities consists of; a member of the Patrons of the Husbands (Grange), Volunteer fireman, served as ambulance service member and has taught Red Cross first aid and at one time was certified to teach CPR, served on the local school board, and is a member of the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse, a volunteer organization of 50 members mainly for search and rescue operations.