Meet the Club Members

Our family’s roots run deep in the Sky Valley. Beth grew up just a few miles from where our annual show is held. Her parents bought our farm in 1974 from Bob’s dad, and over the years raised just about everything—cattle, pigs (at one point 75 of them!), chickens, horses, and even bees. Scott from New Orleans while Beth was born and raised in Monroe.  After spending some time in Eastern Washington, Beth came back home, met Scott, and been here ever since. Together, we farm in Granite Falls while also helping out on the family place, which keeps our three busy kids surrounded by tractors, trucks, and projects year-round.

It’s fair to say tractors are a family affair for us. All three of our kids earned their tractor license before they even got their driver’s license! We joined the Sky Valley Antique Tractor Club around 2008—though I honestly can’t remember the exact year. I grew up near the Frohnings and went to the show as a kid, and when our son showed a love for tractors at an early age, joining the club was an easy decision. Since then, we’ve loved the friendships and laughter that come with being part of this community. You never quite know what someone’s going to try to send you home with—or sell you—at a meeting or show!

The annual show is always the highlight of our year. It’s where we reconnect with friends, share our projects, and make new memories. Sometimes it’s just us and a small engine or antique display; other times, we bring one of our tractors to share. The club has become an extension of our family, and we’ve found deep friendships and trusted people who’ve helped us raise our kids and grow as a family. We’ve learned a lot—like sitting at a different table each meeting so you get to know everyone—and we’re teaching our kids to appreciate the history of tractors, the club, and the community that built it.

We’ve had our share of tractor adventures, too. My dad once broke an axle while pushing up a burn pile, and we had to pull the tractor—and him—off before it caught fire. Fortunately, no medics were needed that day! I also spent part of early labor with our son James on a tractor, finishing farm chores before heading to the hospital. Maybe that’s why he has such a natural love for them! James is our mechanical mind, while I’m usually the part runner, and together we keep things running. Looking ahead, we hope to stay active with the club, keep our tractors working, and continue passing on these values to our kids. If the club ever made a time capsule, we’d include a picture of all the grandkids sitting on Papa’s tractor—a family tradition that perfectly captures what this club means to us: hard work, history, and heart.

I grew up on a farm in North Dakota, where tractors were as much a part of life as chores and family meals. We had hand-clutch John Deeres, and I learned to drive at a very early age—an experience that set the tone for a lifelong appreciation of farming and machinery. After moving to Washington State for work, my wife and I purchased acreage in Snohomish County, and naturally, tractors soon followed. Joining the Sky Valley Antique Tractor Club was the next step—it just made sense to connect with others who shared the same passion for tractor life.

We first met the club at the Sky Valley booth during the fair, the very same day we bought our property. That moment planted the seed for decades of fun and friendship. Since joining in the mid-’90s, we’ve enjoyed countless events—parades, shows, and tractor pulls—and have only missed one show since becoming members. There’s a thrill that comes with owning tractors, not just for the work they do but for the world of camaraderie they open up. Some of our favorite moments have been watching young people work on, learn from, and drive our tractors—it’s rewarding to see the next generation enjoying them just as much as we do.

Outside of tractors, I’ve always loved travel, walking, and sports, and above all, I’m a family man. My wife and I have several tractors, all John Deeres, naturally—that’s what I grew up with, and what feels right to this day. I still remember the thrill of buying our first tractor and how it rekindled the sense of wonder I felt as a kid on the farm. If my tractors could talk, they’d probably say how much they’ve enjoyed the company of young hands learning to drive them.

What keeps me most excited about the club are the people we’ve met and the friendships we’ve built. Parades are always a highlight, and I believe that continuing to attract young people will keep our club strong for years to come. If I could take a tractor anywhere, it would be to Guernsey Island—just for the fun of the adventure. And if I could share that ride, it would be with my dad, my wife, and my grandkids, passing along the same sense of pride and joy that tractors have always brought to our family. If the club ever made a time capsule, I’d tuck in photos of our events—a reminder of the people, stories, and laughter that make this club what it is today.

My wife and I both grew up on farms in northwest Iowa, where John Deere tractors were part of everyday life. Though our family farms were only a few miles apart, we didn’t meet until college. After marrying and starting a family, we lived in several places before settling in northwest Washington in the 1970s.

I worked in engineering while my wife worked in banking, and together we raised four children. Over the years I enjoyed hobbies like golf, collecting firearms, and watching my wife tend her garden.

My connection to tractors started with small 1/16 scale models, but it really took hold in 1998 when I bought two moss-covered John Deeres from a field. Not long after, we found a rural Snohomish acreage with a barn to store them. The tractors arrived before our furniture did! Since then, my collection has grown, and with encouragement from my neighbor Les Friesen, I joined the Sky Valley Antique Tractor Club that same year.

Some memories still stand out: driving a JD B as a boy, just tall enough to steer; the excitement of hearing an engine run again after decades; and even the lessons learned from a serious accident when brakes failed. I’ve restored several tractors mechanically and usually leave them in their “original clothes” rather than repainting.

The club has been a great place to share stories and techniques—everything from carburetors to freeing stuck engines. I enjoy the variety of backgrounds among members and the chance to connect through shows, pulls, and parades. Looking ahead, I hope to keep my tractors running, pass along restoration knowledge to younger members, and keep enjoying club events for as long as I’m able.

I grew up in Three Rivers, Massachusetts, on a property that had been in my family since they immigrated from Poland. They ran a small apple orchard, as well as a funeral home, a short-lived school bus company, and an auto repair shop. That mix of farming, machinery, and community service gave me a deep respect for nature and the tools that shape our land. I also earned my Eagle Scout rank, which gave me even more opportunities to learn about farming, service, and working with my hands.

After graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, I found my way to Washington in 2006 to work for Boeing in Weight Engineering. Over the years, I’ve supported a wide range of programs including the 737 MAX, KC-46 Tanker, 747-8, and 777, from product development through flight test and production deliveries. In 2013, I met Jerry Stackpole’s granddaughter, which eventually brought me to the club. When Jerry passed, my wife and I purchased his property in 2023, where we’ve continued his family’s legacy and care for a few of his tractors.

Outside of tractors, my hobbies reflect a lifelong love of machines, history, and craftsmanship. I grew up around airplanes, cars, knives, and firearms. In college, I joined the Florida Warbirds Association, where I worked on and flew in WWII and Vietnam-era aircraft—dream opportunities for any aviation enthusiast. My dad, both a pilot and a highly respected automotive technician, inspired me to learn how to work on vehicles. Today, I proudly own a 1964 Corvette that he once worked on, and I continue to tinker with cars whenever I can. I also have a background in machining from my time at Halpern Titanium, where I ran CNC machines and assembled high-end knives, and I still enjoy target shooting as a pastime.

I joined the tractor club in February 2024, motivated by my love of machinery and the chance to continue a family interest. So far, I’ve been impressed by the diverse mix of members and their willingness to help each other solve problems. I especially enjoy attending any club event I can make it to, and I hope to get Jerry’s John Deere B running reliably so it can be shown at future events. Looking ahead, I’d like to do what I can to keep younger generations engaged, pass on what I’ve learned, and make sure the history and ingenuity of tractors remain alive for years to come.

Born and raised in Montana, I grew up surrounded by farmland, even though we lived in the city. My dad owned the John Deere dealership, so tractors were always woven into my childhood—part of both work and family life. One of my earliest and most magical memories is sitting on his lap while he harrowed my grandparents’ pasture, the hum of the tractor and the sun on my face sealing a lifelong connection to tractors. My dad always believed John Deere quality was unmatched—if they had made furniture, we would have had a John Deere couch in the living room!

I moved to the Seattle area about 30 years ago, and Monroe has been home for the last 20. About five years back, I met Rick Isler while he and other club members were lined up for a parade in Arlington. He proudly shared the story of his tractor, introduced me to fellow members, and I was hooked. The “run what you brung” spirit, mixed with friendly debates about which color of paint makes the best tractor, made me feel right at home. Since joining, I’ve been amazed by the club’s diversity—engineers, farmers, businesspeople, and more—each bringing something unique to the table.

Today, I own a 1929 John Deere GP and a Lindeman, both favorites from my dad’s collection, as well as a John Deere 955 that serves as my daily driver. Keeping them running is a learning journey for me—I’m quick to get in over my head with a wrench, but I look forward to leaning on the club’s knowhow. My biggest goal is to keep the GP running until it celebrates its 100th birthday in 2029. I especially enjoy the annual show, where club members, families, and the community come together in an extraordinary way, each person finding their role to make the event shine.

Looking ahead, I’d love to help the club bridge the generation gap by giving kids and families hands-on tractor experiences they may have missed. My grandkids are already making memories on tractors with me, and I hope more families can share that same sense of wonder. Through my work with the website and Facebook, I do my part to keep our mission alive: reminding everyone that tractors—and this club—are a vital link between our country’s heritage and the way food makes its journey from field to table.