ACMOC
Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club
1115 Madison St NE # 1117
Salem, OR 97301
cat@acmoc.org
Chapter Nineteen
On behalf of Steve & Ben Jackel, thank you to those that were able to help remember and celebrate the life of Karen, both in person and via the live video feed. Born 27th Jan 1957 - died 16th Jan 2022 Karen did not quite make it to her 65th birthday, nor will she be able celebrate the Cat 2025 centerary with us in person, something she had been working hard towards. It was however a very fitting ceremony that Karen would have been pleased with, and I know she would have been 'chuffed' at the number of people that made their way back to her home to share stories and remember the wonderful friend she was to all of us. With her No. 212 Grader and Lanz Bulldog part of the ceremony, there was no mistaking how important tractors and machinery was in her life, after all this is what brought her and Steve together and helped define them over their lives together. Steve spoke to how they meet and became a couple, in his very brave eulogy and there is a picture of this special moment he refers too when Karen asked him to marry her while sitting on his lap. A special picture Steve only rediscovered after the funeral that he wanted me to share with you. Please feel free to reach out to Steve and Ben, in the coming weeks as they come to terms with losing a loving wife and mother. I have attached some more photos from the day. Regards Glen
At a recent meeting of the SteamFest organizing committee the current COVID-19 situation was discussed at length. The committee arrived at the very difficult conclusion to cancel SteamFest for this year to not add to the spread of the pandemic and to protect the many members and volunteers who run the event from potential exposure. Additionally, the risk of having key members of the organizing or exhibitor team needing to isolate due to the spread of the disease could compromise the event. SteamFest_Cancellation_2022.pdf
In recent days Karen has been able to move downstairs and into the recliner for a nice change and has had some good signs, but still has her good and bad days. Karen, Steve and Ben Jackel would like to thank the members of ACMOC, and especially the CommitteE and members of Chaper 19 for their support, visits, phone calls and very kind wishes during Karen's illness.
It is with deep sorrow that I advise of the passing of Mr Peter Squire of Bordertown, SA on 23/12/21. Peter was a valued member of Chapter 19 & 30 and the broader Caterpillar community, he will be sadly missed. Details of how to attend his funeral including virtually are posted on Chapter 30's page.
Born in Orbost, East Gippsland on 13th December 1936, Alexander McRae starts telling his story with a familiar statement for people of his generation. “I started life having had very little to do with machinery, horses were everything.” Such was this era of farming, clearing and logging. But it didn’t take long for Alex to become intrigued with the power of what he calls the ‘mighty’ machines, referring to track-type tractors with bulldozer attachments of the day. Intrigued and impressed he may have been, but these early International tractors also amazed Alex with how much time it took each morning to fix breakages ready for that days’ work!