By John Paur
Elmer Goltz passed away at his home in the early morning hours of Aug.19. He was 80 years old. Elmer was born on July 11, 1919 on a pear farm in rural Placerville. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1936. Upon graduating, he went to work for the local Chrysler/Plymouth dealer as a mechanic (what else?). At the onset of WW2, Elmer enlisted in the navy where he worked as a machinist. He spent time in the Aleutian Islands and Okinawa. After the war he returned to his job at the Chrysler dealership. In 1951, Elmer decided to strive out on his own and opened an auto repair shop which he called “Elmer’s Tune”. He retired in 1977.
Elmer had a gift for being able to repair just about anything. His grandson referred to him as “an artist with a wrench. There was no part too small or intricate that he couldn’t create, re-shape or duplicate.” He could figure out the answer to engine problems that had all the rest of us stumped. He was, without a doubt, one of the best ‘fix-it’ men around. Elmer’s exhibit was always that familiar gray trailer with red trim that had a headless Fairbanks running a whetstone where we all sharpened our knives. There was also a Flying Dutchman (or was it a Rock Island?) and an assortment of electric generators.
Elmer joined Branch 13 in 1975. He and Irene were faithful attendees at nearly all of our shows over the years. For several years Elmer was our bean cooker and a super bean cook he was! He also provided us with a propane torch to lit the charcoal or Manzanita for the BBQ. On two different occasions Elmer served on the Board of Directors of Br. 13.
Elmer and Irene enjoyed traveling together in their motor home. They also had an extensive garden from which they furnished vegetables to many friends. They loved to go clamming at Bodega Bay and fishing. Elmer is survived by his wife Irene, five sons, ten grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
Elmer, we’re all going to miss you.
