October 16, 1924 - April 25, 2014
Stanley C. Rhoads Obituary
Stanley C. Rhoads was born on October 16, 1924 in Summerville, OR to Charles E. and Ona A. (McKinnis) Rhoads. A brother Charles soon joined the family. After graduating from high school, Stan thought he wanted to be a farmer and rented some land and started farming. With an interruption to serve in the Navy from 1946 until 1949, Stan farmed until Easter Sunday of 1955 when the family moved to Spokane and he went to work at Travis Pattern and Foundry. But not really liking foundry work, he went to night school to learn drafting and blueprint reading. After completion of that, he entered the apprenticeship program to become a Pattern maker, and he achieved that goal. This required the ability to take the information from a blueprint or sketch and turn it into a wooden part of the exact size and shape required to make a casting. Stan could make just about anything out of wood or metal. Like most small companies, when something broke down, anyone with the skills and abilities would be pressed into service to get the equipment bock up and running. He got to do a lot of this. During these times, Stan was gaining more and more experience with lathes, milling machines, and different types of welders. In the early 70's Travis Pattern started using permanent mold dies to produce aluminum castings for its irrigation products. Instead of making patterns out of wood (which he enjoyed the most), he also had to make them out of steel. Stan had to machine the dies out of steel to provide the exact shape and size that was required for the casting. He didn't enjoy this type of work as much as he did making wooden patterns, but while doing this he did become a rather accomplished welder and machinist in his own right. All these skills and talents he developed on the job served him well with his hobby of restoring antique cars. He didn't like, and would not do the upholstery work required for the cars, but he could do everything else, sheet metal repair, wood work, any mechanical repairs needed, painting and assembly required to complete a car restoration. Stan was known by all of the Model T owners in the northwest for having one of the best looking and best running Model T?s in the area. He was always willing to help any and all of the other car collectors. Over the years Stan was active in touring with the Inland Empire Model T Club,the Horseless Carriage Club of America, the Hassie Club, The Crankers from Lewiston, ID, the Walla Walla car club. He was a regular on the 4th of July Tours, Christina Lake Tours and Mom & Pops Tours. Stan and his cars were always ready to go and never came home from a tour on a trailer. Stan had other interests besides cars. His yard was beautifully kept and his garage was always a place of interest to visit. But Stan also loved to dance. In fact, his last day was spent at a tea dance. Stan is survived by his son Dennis, half-sister Margery S. Paddock of Tustin, CA and step-son Jerry Rice of Eugene, OR and many friends who will miss him. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 2:00pm at Heritage Funeral Chapel.
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