The K & O Steam & Gas Engine Association, Branch 11 (KS) would like to nominate Bob Sherrard for the 2009 Hall of Fame for the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association. Bob has been a member for several years.
For most of his life Bob formed and operated a construction company and drove vehicles until 1985. He now restores tractors. He has restored John Deere’s, Massey, Case, IH, and pickups. His shop is in a 77-year-old barn. His shop is very neat and everything is in its place because Bob is blind. All of his tools are outlined on the wall so that when he has help they know where to put them back so he can find them again. He does the overhaul, carburetor, and preparation for painting himself; he has someone else do the painting. It is remarkable to observe how Bob has not let his lack of sight defeat him. Instead he has used courage, determination, and perseverance to overcome his blindness. He has the help from his son-in-law and grandsons. When he overhauls a carburetor he has Alan (his son-in-law) put in the gasket. Alan also reads the manuals for him. He walks to the wall and selects the correct wrench. His hands move slowly over a casting seeking the nuts that fasten it. He fingers checks for pits on the sheet metal and they detect oil and grime that might indicate a leaky seal. He really gets a feel for restoration. Memory and feel compensate for the lack of eyesight.
Bob is a very good member of our club – always helping. For example – he found out that the bathroom at our club grounds needed painting. He had someone lead him to the bathroom. He then proceeded to feel the walls and all the chipped paint. He ordered the paint and proceeded to scrape all the walls by himself by feeling with his hands. He had someone else do the painting.
Bob Sherrard is an asset to our cub and our hobby – he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame
Submitted by
Floyd Moore
President