I would like to nominate Rick Apple from branch 202 here in Tennessee. Not only was he a founding member of the branch but he has also served as our safety officer from the start.
It is hard to put into words how much Mr. Apple has done for not just the club but the hobby as a whole. He has a vast knowledge of steam engines, threshers and wheat binders along with many other talents. It is not uncommon for you to see him at a show in many different states elbow deep in a piece of historic equipment or advising otherson how to fix it. As such he is known for hundreds of miles around as the go to guy foradvice or answers. I've heard him called the Keck Dr, the branch manager of Keck Gonnerman even though that company ceased to exist in 1955 or down in Alabama they simply refer to him as the moustache of knowledge, they often turn to him for help on fixing their steam engine or thresher.
Rick is an integral part of our historic steam boiler program in Tennessee assisting and advising me along the way in the successful quest to change TN laws to better allow for more steam engines to operate safely in the state. In turn when we then saw more engineers, he helped set up the first steam schools in TN and served as an able teacher and demonstrated techniques on repair as well. Also when area shows need skilled repairs he is called on, such as the repiping of the historic boilers at the TN KY Threshermans show. Indeed his reputation has spread so far and wide that when pulling into a amish foundry and being surrounded by a crowd of Amish wondering what we were there for, merely dropping his name turned the whole situation around and shortly we were getting a guided tour of the entire operation. I cannot think of anyone who has done more for the hobby or our branch than him and believe he is truly worthy of this award
Travis
President
Branch 202
TN