Meet the Club Members

My wife and I both grew up on farms in northwest Iowa’s Dutch Country, just nine miles apart—though we didn’t meet until attending Iowa State University. I majored in Electrical Engineering while she studied Home Economics, and eventually, we married and started our family. In 1962, we moved to Southern California, where I began my career in electronics with a high-tech company that helped develop one of the first desktop computers. Life later brought us to Washington in 1976 due to health concerns for two of our children. Thankfully, all four of our kids went on to graduate college, as did our nine grandchildren, several with advanced degrees.

Around 1980, I began collecting 1/16 scale tractors and implements, but by the late ’90s, my interest shifted toward full-size tractors. In 1998, on my way home, I spotted two John Deeres sitting in a field under moss. I bought them, and when I retired six months later, I found a rural Snohomish acreage with a barn to house them. The tractors arrived before the furniture, and over the past 26 years, my collection has grown significantly. My neighbor, Les Friesen, encouraged me to join the Sky Valley Antique Tractor Club, and I’ve been a proud member ever since.

Over the years, I’ve restored several tractors mechanically—though I prefer to keep them in their “original clothes” rather than repaint them. My favorite brand remains John Deere for its economy and ease of maintenance, something my dad always bragged about. Some memories stand out: driving a JD B as a child, too short to reach the pedals or shifter; the joy of hearing a long-stuck tractor engine roar back to life; and yes, even surviving a serious tractor accident that left me with broken vertebrae but a deeper respect for the machines.

The club has been a great source of learning and fellowship, and I especially enjoy our annual show, tractor pulls, and parades. I hope to pass along my knowledge—especially techniques for restoring carburetors and freeing stuck engines—to younger generations so they can carry the torch. Looking ahead, my goal is to get all of my tractors running and ready for the future. Tractors are more than machines to me; they’re history, ingenuity, and family all rolled into one. 
 

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.