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Sherrard named to hall of fame
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By GENE BLAKE
Special to the Courier
Who belongs in a Hall of Fame? Great athletes? Outstanding teachers? Excellent musicians? What about someone who restores old tractors? The National Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association (EDGETA) maintains “those who have made significant contributions to the preservation, collection, and exhibition of antique tractors” belong in their Hall of Fame. And in the case of Bob Sherrard, Winfield, someone who has overcome remarkable obstacles while fulfilling these criteria definitely deserves this special recognition.
Sherrard was inducted into the EDGETA Hall of Fame on Aug. 15 and presented an engraved plaque by Tom Yearian, Hall of Fame chairman, at the Kansas and Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show in Winfield. The presentation was made just prior to a parade of restored, antique tractors and in front of a crowd in the Winfield Fairgrounds grandstand.
This is not the first time Sherrard, 78, has received national recognition for his accomplishments. Articles about him have appeared in the Green Magazine, the High Plains Journal, Midwest Ag Journal, Ageless Iron Almanac (subsidiary publication of Successful Farming magazine), Farm Show magazine and the Winfield Daily Courier. These articles explain that Sherrard suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease that has slowly stolen his eyesight over the years. Today, as he restores equipment, the only thing he can see are the fluorescent lights in his shop.
But blindness has not kept him from restoring the following John Deere tractors: 1928 Model D, 1935 D, 1937 AR, 1937 B, 1945 LI, 1945 H, 1950 B, 1950 MT, 1952 AR and a 1951 R Diesel.
Sherrard is not a John Deere purist. He’s been accused of “mixing colors.” His other restorations include a 1936 International Harvester F12, 1945 Allis-Chalmers C, 1950 Allis-Chalmers WD, 1951 Allis-Chalmers CA, 1951 Case DC, 1947 Ford 2N (along with a complete line of three-point equipment), and a 1950 Massey-Harris Pony. He’s even strayed from restoring tractors with a 1941 Chevy two-door sedan, 1946 Dodge half-ton pickup, 1948 Studebaker two-ton truck and a 1958 International half-ton pickup. His latest project is restoring a 1927 Model T Ford.
Sherrard relies on memory and feel to compensate for his lack of eyesight — finger tips replace eyes. Nuts, bolts and parts are placed in pockets, cans, or boxes. Every tool has its proper location above his work bench. His keen sense of hearing also gives him an advantage. More than some restorers, he knows how an engine is supposed to sound and can use his hearing to diagnose a problem.
Some jobs Sherrard has to delegate to his son-in-law, Alan Brennan, and helper, Danny Youngers. Alan reads manuals, locates replacement parts and performs tasks, such as wiring, that Sherrard is unable to do. Alan also transports their restorations to shows and parades. Danny does the painting after Sherrard has done the surface preparation. But Sherrard is quick to add, “I don’t ask them to do anything I can do.” One of the things he was able to do was overhaul the John Deere H and Farmall F12.
Like many restorers, Sherrard grew up on a farm and used equipment similar to what he now restores. His father had a 1927 John Deere D. After graduation from high school, Sherrard farmed with a 1937 John Deere B and a WD Allis-Chalmers. But like his father, he soon transitioned into the construction business, building residential and small commercial buildings. Failing eyesight precipitated his retirement in 1988.
Sherrard is a member of the Kansas and Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Club (an EDGETA member organization), regularly attends their meetings, and participates as an exhibitor at their annual show in Winfield.
Looking back on his accomplishments as a Hall of Fame restorer he admits, “I used to be a fast worker, but I’ve learned patience.”
He may have learned patience, but he’s also demonstrated courage, determination and perseverance.
Sherrard was inducted into the EDGETA Hall of Fame on Aug. 15 and presented an engraved plaque by Tom Yearian, Hall of Fame chairman, at the Kansas and Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show in Winfield. The presentation was made just prior to a parade of restored, antique tractors and in front of a crowd in the Winfield Fairgrounds grandstand.
This is not the first time Sherrard, 78, has received national recognition for his accomplishments. Articles about him have appeared in the Green Magazine, the High Plains Journal, Midwest Ag Journal, Ageless Iron Almanac (subsidiary publication of Successful Farming magazine), Farm Show magazine and the Winfield Daily Courier. These articles explain that Sherrard suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease that has slowly stolen his eyesight over the years. Today, as he restores equipment, the only thing he can see are the fluorescent lights in his shop.
But blindness has not kept him from restoring the following John Deere tractors: 1928 Model D, 1935 D, 1937 AR, 1937 B, 1945 LI, 1945 H, 1950 B, 1950 MT, 1952 AR and a 1951 R Diesel.
Sherrard is not a John Deere purist. He’s been accused of “mixing colors.” His other restorations include a 1936 International Harvester F12, 1945 Allis-Chalmers C, 1950 Allis-Chalmers WD, 1951 Allis-Chalmers CA, 1951 Case DC, 1947 Ford 2N (along with a complete line of three-point equipment), and a 1950 Massey-Harris Pony. He’s even strayed from restoring tractors with a 1941 Chevy two-door sedan, 1946 Dodge half-ton pickup, 1948 Studebaker two-ton truck and a 1958 International half-ton pickup. His latest project is restoring a 1927 Model T Ford.
Sherrard relies on memory and feel to compensate for his lack of eyesight — finger tips replace eyes. Nuts, bolts and parts are placed in pockets, cans, or boxes. Every tool has its proper location above his work bench. His keen sense of hearing also gives him an advantage. More than some restorers, he knows how an engine is supposed to sound and can use his hearing to diagnose a problem.
Some jobs Sherrard has to delegate to his son-in-law, Alan Brennan, and helper, Danny Youngers. Alan reads manuals, locates replacement parts and performs tasks, such as wiring, that Sherrard is unable to do. Alan also transports their restorations to shows and parades. Danny does the painting after Sherrard has done the surface preparation. But Sherrard is quick to add, “I don’t ask them to do anything I can do.” One of the things he was able to do was overhaul the John Deere H and Farmall F12.
Like many restorers, Sherrard grew up on a farm and used equipment similar to what he now restores. His father had a 1927 John Deere D. After graduation from high school, Sherrard farmed with a 1937 John Deere B and a WD Allis-Chalmers. But like his father, he soon transitioned into the construction business, building residential and small commercial buildings. Failing eyesight precipitated his retirement in 1988.
Sherrard is a member of the Kansas and Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Club (an EDGETA member organization), regularly attends their meetings, and participates as an exhibitor at their annual show in Winfield.
Looking back on his accomplishments as a Hall of Fame restorer he admits, “I used to be a fast worker, but I’ve learned patience.”
He may have learned patience, but he’s also demonstrated courage, determination and perseverance.
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