Death notices for Dec. 11 and 18, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Waken Lucille Farrell, 86, of Templeton, passed away on Dec. 18.
Herbert Guy Cowan, 74, of Templeton, passed way on Dec. 11.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
Death notices for Dec. 23-26, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
Willis Tarwater
Willis “Will” Tarwater
Born: March 4, 1927
Died: Dec. 6, 2016
–Willis “Will” Tarwater passed away on December 6, 2016 at the VA Hospital in Prescott, Ariz.
Will was born in San Luis Obispo, Calif. and lived in Arroyo Grande, Calif. As a young man, he quit school at 16 and got a job at the Camp San Luis Army Base where he worked hard and became a 2nd Engineer. Just before his 18th birthday Will’s father signed so he could join the Navy. He enlisted on Dec. 7, 1944 in Bainbridge, MD. He was assigned to the gunner’s mate school. After graduation, Will was transferred to Boston, Mass. He volunteered for training to serve on PT boats. He was in the last PT Boat training class because the war had ended. He was discharged in August of 1946. After traveling for a while, Will moved back to Paso Robles. He began working at the Camp Roberts Fire Department.
In Oct. 1950, Will was recalled into the Navy as a result of the Korean War. He was assigned to the USS BROWN DD546, a destroyer. After being discharged, Will applied for a position at the Paso Robles Police Department. He was the first motorcycle patrolman on the force. Will began to apply for other positions and in July 1954 he was accepted for a position on the U. S. Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas. After training, Will was assigned to Brownsville, Texas where he worked until he was transferred to El Centro, Calif. While living in El Centro, his son, Ron was born. In December of 1959, Will started a new job at the Customs House in San Ysidro, Calif. Will liked this job very much and in 1969 he was assigned to the Customs House is Oakland, Calif. He retired from the Customs Department in 1977.
Will began to do some traveling and in May of 1980, Will decided to move to Prescott, Ariz. In 1983, Will met the most beautiful woman in the world, his beloved Margaret (Margi). They were married March 19, 1983 and spent 33 wonderful years together. Their love was true and eternal.
Will was a devout Christian and he touched people’s lives right to the end. He loved God, his family (especially his Margi), his country and guns.
He is survived by his beloved wife and sweetheart, Margaret; his son, Ron (Joanne) Tarwater; his brother Keith Tarwater and niece Kelly Tarwater Hall; his grandson Cole (Shauna) Tarwater; his stepsons Steve Culver, David (Amy) Culver; his stepdaughter Lori Culver; his step-grandchildren Stefanie Culver, Christa (Chris) Grau, Ben Culver, Garret Culver and Courtney Culver; and step-great-grandchildren Kaylee and Brenna Grau. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Michelle Tarwater.
He was laid to rest on Dec. 10, 2016 at Heritage Memorial Park Cemetery with Military honors.
He was loved and he will be missed.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. To submit, click here.
Death notices for Dec. 29, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
Death notices for Dec. 29- Jan. 3, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
Dr. Jack R. Ogden.
–Dr. Jack R. Ogden, 82, of Paso Robles, passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2016, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Jack was born in Tucumcari, NM to Roy and Ruth Ogden. He often spoke fondly of his childhood there and lifelong friendships made.
An accomplished athlete, Jack lettered in football, basketball and track & field in high school which led to a football scholarship to the University of Kansas. After the death of his father, Jack returned to Tucumcari and while there he received chiropractic care which ultimately influenced his choice to pursue a career as a Chiropractor.
Jack attended Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. It was there that he met a young nurse, Delores. They met on a “blind” Halloween date and were married 5 months later, in March 1960; a day after Jack graduated from Palmer. They relocated to Paso Robles, Calif. where he opened his practice and they began their new life together.
Jack was a founding member of the Paso Robles Golf & Country Club and was an avid golfer for many years. As a loyal L.A./St. Louis Ram’s fan, he was able to fulfill his dream of seeing his team win a Super Bowl. Jack devoted many years of service to the local Lion’s Club in which he held many leadership positions including District Governor in the early 1970’s. Most recently, he was a member of the Paso Robles Rotary Club.
Chiropractic wasn’t just a career for Jack, it was his passion. There was nothing he enjoyed more. He helped many people in his more than 50 years of practice.
Jack is predeceased by his parents and brothers Carl, Kenneth and Dean Ogden.
He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 57 years, Delores; his daughter Jackie (Dennis) Koda; son Richard (Lynn) Ogden; and granddaughters Jamie & Haley Ogden and many nieces and nephews.
The Ogden family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Ingleside Park Assisted Living in Atascadero and Bayside Care Center in Morro Bay for their kindness and compassion in the care of Jack these past six months. At Jack’s request, no services will be held. Donations in memory of Jack can be made to the SLO Co Alzheimer’s Assoc. or to a charity of your choice.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. To submit, click here.
–Death notices for Jan. 6-15, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
–Joe Egger, born in Bayshore Hospital, l.l., New York, died at Danish Care Center, Atascadero, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. He was given TLC care by the nursing staff as he made a peaceful transition from this life to the next.
In the 87 years Joe inhabited Mother Earth he exemplified the sentiments inscribed on the headstone of his Scottish wife’s 18th century forebear: For honesty and probity the deceased had no superior, all who were of his acquaintance respected him while living and his two daughters and a son in testimony of their filial affection can only add their fond regard for a fine father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Following in his father’s footsteps who served with Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet prior to WWI, Joe served for four years on the U.S. aircraft carrier Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the Korean Conflict. As part of the Nato operations, Joe and a navy buddy were part of 3,000 sailors who descended on the city of Glasgow where Joe met Glasgow-born Maisie on a blind date. A two-year correspondence was followed a year later by marriage in Westminster Presbyterian Church, Toronto, Canada. Soon to follow would be their family of three: Peter, Kirstine, and Alison.
Peter (spouse Carol) extended this American-Scottish union with three children, Clint (beloved grandson, deceased), Katie and Spencer to his first wife, Kitty Kern. Katie married Jeff Garner, and added Hailey, Holden and Harper Maisie to the Egger tree. The U.S. Navy called Peter to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps as a career sailor of 22 years.
Spencer, unmarried, carried on his grandfather and great-grandfather’s tradition by serving six years in the U.S. Navy
Kirstine Egger (spouses Brent Thomas and Bill Willoughby) grew more branches on the family tree with first son Michael Thomas and wife Kerri Reynolds and their three children: Hayli (who recently fought and won a hard battle with brain cancer), Joseph and Fischer.
Second son Christopher Thomas married Dawn Starbuck to add Camden and Brinley to the fold. Carrie Willoughby, married Justin Trammell, with Willow, the youngest great-grandchild.
Patrick Willoughby, Kirstine’s unmarried son, completing her brood.
Alison Egger and husband Dave Rendahl complete the Joe and Maisie Egger family tree thus far with Ryan and Matthew.
Before joining the navy Joe had worked in the insurance business in Wall Street, N.Y. After four years navy service, Joe attended the five-year electrical engineering program at Ohio State University on the G.l. bill. With his B.E.E. degree in hand, he worked for private industry with field trips of months’ duration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and St. Louis, Missouri. He was then employed as Chief of Engineering, CDEC, Fort Hunter Liggett until he suffered a stroke which ended his career.
He was an outstanding athlete, winning many trophies in baseball, football, and bowling. He was honored with the Hugh McGowan trophy for academics and athletics whilst a student at Mineola High School, long Island, N.Y. He also played baseball for the navy team. later, he was a long distance bicycle rider.
With it all, he was unassuming, and a calm influence. Just a good ol’ loyal Joe!’ to be so sorely missed by his ‘Duchess’ and family.
Ae Fond Kiss
Had we never lov’d sae kindly,
Had we never lov’d sae blindly,
Never met – or never parted –
We had ne’er been broken-hearted.
Fare-thee-wee, thou first and fairest!
Fare-thee-wee, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae farewell, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I’ll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee.
(Robert Burns 1759-1796}
A memorial service will be conducted by The Reverend Andy McComb, Saturday, Jan. 21, ll a.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, 131th & Oak Streets, Paso Robles, to be followed by a catered luncheon by Vic’s of Paso Robles. Please contact (805) 440-0155 for further information.
It is requested that because of Joe’s lifelong interest in sports, such as the LA. Dodgers and Ohio State University football, that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Paso Robles Junior Baseball League.
Shelley Keefer Taylor.
–Beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, Shelley Taylor passed away on Jan. 20 following a heroic struggle with cancer. Taylor was born on May 22, 1953 at the Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital. She attended both grammar school and High School in Paso Robles. She actively participated in student council activities and cheerleading, eventually was promoted to Head Varsity Cheerleader and was a homecoming queen candidate. She then attended college at both Cuesta and Cal Poly SLO.
Shelley married Wade Taylor in 1979 and had two beautiful children Morgan and Zachary. Shelley worked at Crocker National Bank that later became Heritage Oaks Bank, then worked for the Paso Robles School District in the culinary department for over 25 years; recently retiring in June of 2016.
Both Morgan and Zachary were involved in swimming and sports programs since early childhood and Shelley wore out a Suburban carting her kids to every sporting event imaginable. She was actively involved in the SLO County Cattlewomen’s Association, attending their annual trail ride for over 35 years. She was a member of the Heritage Foundation at the Mid-State Fair, the Republican’s Women’s Association and was a Paso Robles Rotary Ann.
Shelley and Wade enjoyed spending time with their many friends on trips and recreational vehicle outings.
She is survived by her husband Wade, father Don Keefer and wife Pat, sister Pamela “Denni” Hudgens and husband David, brother Guy Keefer and wife Laura, daughter Morgan, son Zachary and his wife Brittany, granddaughter Tallyn Taylor, and as well as many nieces and nephews. Shelley was preceded in death by her mother, Guyneth.
The entire Taylor & Keefer Families would like to sincerely thank the entire community, extended family, and friends who gave us so much love and support during Shelley’s fight with cancer.
A memorial of Shelley’s life will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Estrella Hall at the Paso Robles Events Center. Bring an appetizer, side dish, salad or dessert.
To make a donation in Shelley’s memory, please consider the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee, PO Box 262, PR 93447 – the SLO Cattlewomen, 250 Frontier Way, Templeton, CA 93465 – Hearst Cancer Resource Center, 1911 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
–Death notices for Jan. 17-26, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
Archie Hanson: April 24, 1926- Dec. 14, 2016
Archie Hanson was born April 24, 1926 and raised in Beverly Hills and Rolling Hills, California. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School and started at the University of Colorado before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1944. After almost two years in the Army, he was honorably discharged, returned to California, and entered the University of California at Los Angeles, but soon thereafter left to work for a gold mining enterprise in Candle, Alaska, located on the Arctic Circle, 200 miles above Nome.
After working in Alaska for two years, he returned to California, got married, and started a career as a building contractor. His father soon contacted him to help develop the community of Hidden Hills, California. Archie’s initial role at Hidden Hills was to build its infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and house sites. He and his family moved into the historic Leonis Adobe nearby and then into a house on the corner of Long Valley and Spring Valley roads in Hidden Hills. His four children, Elexis (Lex), Victoria (Tori), Lisa, and Leila lived at Hidden Hills until Archie moved to Paso Robles, California, in 1961. While in Paso Robles, he focused on land development design, emphasizing and honoring the natural landscape. Over the next 40 years he subdivided some 35,000 acres in numerous developments, culminating in 1989 with the purchase of 1200 acres in Cortez, Colorado, near Mesa Verde National Park.
In Paso Robles Archie married Mary Mitchell, who had three children, Diane, Dawn, and Darren. Archie and Mary raised all seven children together. Mary has been Archie’s partner in the real estate business as well as his wife and homemaker for 53 years. She is a trained soprano and was very active in theater and opera in San Luis Obispo, California. She was the mainstay of his life. They lived at Hidden Valley Ranch in Templeton, California, which Archie developed, until they moved to Cortez in 1989.
While busy with land development in the Paso Robles area, Archie also started Templeton Carriage Works, building and restoring horse-drawn carriages and buggies. He also restored many of the historic buildings on Main Street in Templeton to their previous splendor and brought the town back to life.
The Cortez property, Indian Camp Ranch, was his final development, and contains over 210 Anasazi (Ancestral Puebloan) sites, the highest recorded site density in the State of Colorado. To protect these sites, which are over 800 years old, Archie created the first archaeological subdivision in the United States. Indian Camp Ranch has been featured in many major newspapers, magazines, and other media, including National Geographic, Archaeology, Smithsonian, the History Channel, and the Travel Channel. Indian Camp Ranch is recorded on the National Register of Historic Places.
Archie has always been interested in aviation, and while living in Hidden Hills owned, among others, an amphibian seaplane, an aerobatic Citabria, an Army L-13 and a North American T-28 that was used as a fighter aircraft by the French. His real preference was to fly helicopters, and he later owned a Hughes 269-A and a turbine powered Hughes 500-C when he moved to Paso Robles.
Over a 35-year period, he accumulated over 8,000 hours of flight time. He had many occasions to use his helicopters for public service and in search and rescue operations, flying as a Deputy Sheriff for San Luis Obispo County, California for more than 17 years.
Among his many skills, Archie was an engraver, silversmith, welder, hunter, and world traveler. He was vitally involved in land development, building construction, and creative work throughout his life. He published four books on various aspects of his life adventures. He was a “pied piper” to children and adults, and mentor to many. He will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Wolf at his 105th birthday party.
– On Jan. 16, Harry K Wolf, the oldest active ham radio operator ever known, passed away at the age of 107, just a couple of weeks shy of his 108th birthday. He never knew cancer or Alzheimers. He just told my cousin, his daughter Vicki a couple of weeks ago that he was now ready to go, and ham radio operator, number W6nkt, logged out peacefully for the last time.
He lived one of the most interesting lives a man could. He was raised on a ranch in the Geneseo area in what is now known as Ground Squirrel Hollow and was known as the fastest grain sack sewer in SLO county. He was giving demonstrations of that lost art when he was over 100. After serving in WWll, he personally originated and started the first Electronics Engineering Dept in the world at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He later did that in areas all over the world including Hong Kong and Tanzania.
At the age of 100, he wrote his life story and published it as a book. The name of the book is “The Oak Tree” which was a tree he used to go to on the family ranch to be by himself when he was young.
He outlived many people he loved, including children and grandchildren. However, he was very resilient and led a very active life past 100 years of age in his own home, and on the airwaves across the world both by voice and Morse code until the end. Sharp as a tack to his last day and went out with his boots on. What more could you ask for?
RIP, W6nkt, I know there must be a microphone and Morse code keypad for you up there. Your nephew, Tim, standing by and awaiting your transmission.
– Born on March 8, 1931 in El Paso Texas, Priscilla Viola Berger passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2017 in Atascadero. Preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, James T. Berger; daughter Robin C. Berger; Parents Federico and Petrita Arellano; brothers Fred, George, Edward and Jesus Arellano; nephew Eugene “A.J.” Arellano.
She is survived by son, Bruce J. Berger (Laura), grandson, Holden M. Berger, grand-daughters, Madison L., Delaney S., and Eryn C. Berger; daughter, Anita L. Berger, brother, Dr. Eugene W. Arellano, sisters, Marcella Stilwell and Eleanor Love, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Priscilla was a Registered Nurse, a private pilot (former member of the SLOPA and 99s), a master food preserver, and an avid quilter/seamstress. She was a wonderful spirit and a joy to be with in this world. We will forever miss and love her.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life on Sunday Feb. 12 at 11 a,m. at Chapel of the Roses located at 3450 El Camino Real, Atascadero, California 93422. , in lieu of flowers, they request a donation to the American Heart Association or to your favorite charity.
–Rev. Dr. Russell Wayne Mueller, 85, of Paso Robles, CA, died Monday, Jan 9, 2017 at 11:15 p.m. at French Hospital, San Luis Obispo, CA. He had been in failing health following a broken hip in November.
Russ was born in Golden, Illinois, the son of Gottlieb O. and Anna H. Heinecke Mueller. After the death of his mother in 1935, Russ and his brother, Wilfred, were raised by their step-mother, Fanny L. Weerts who was Anna’s cousin. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Golden. Russ graduated from Golden High School, Golden, IL in 1949.
He was married to Norma Lee Totsch on June 17, 1951. They celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this past year. He graduated from Wartburg College, Waverly, IA in 1953 and later graduated with a Master of Divinity at Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, IA in 1957. Russ served in the U.S. Army Reserves (1958-1975) retiring with the rank of Major.
He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, CA in 1982, writing his thesis on “The Use of Television in Parish Education.”
Russ was ordained as a pastor on June 9, 1957 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Golden, IL. He served a number of congregations: Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, IL; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, IL, while serving there he began broadcasting worship services on the radio and producing television programs; Faith Lutheran Church, Castro Valley, CA, while serving there he was part of the PLTS internship program; St. Andrew Lutheran Church, San Diego, CA, Russ pioneered work in the television ministry of San Diego, serving as part of a team that won an “Emmy” for the local Focus Five program in 1981 and introduced religious programming to San Diego cable; St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Lakewood, CA; Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Bakersfield, CA. Russ retired as a full-time pastor and moved to Paso Robles in 1999. In his retirement years, he served as an Interim Pastor at San Pablo, King City, Templeton, and Porterville, all located in California.
Russ was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church in Atascadero, CA. He was a Habitat for Humanity Restore volunteer. Russ was active in the Paso Robles Democratic Club and served several years as president.
Surviving is his wife, Norma, of Paso Robles, CA; his brother, Wilfred and his wife, Henrietta, of Highland Park, IL; five children, David and his wife, Judith Kulla of Hastings, MN; Mike of Castro Valley, CA; Kelly Greenne (former daughter-in-law) of Hayward, CA; Matthew of Paso Robles, CA; Brian and his wife Michelle of Castro Valley, CA; Sylvia of Turlock, CA; three Vietnamese foster sons: Khoa Van Do, Thanh Van Do, and Thien Pham and three grandsons: Steven Waybright, Micah Mueller, Christian Mueller and one granddaughter, Sierra Greenne; numerous great-grandchildren and several cousins. He was also preceded in death by one Vietnamese foster son, Hung Tran.
A Memorial service for Russ will be held Saturday, March 4th at 11:00 at a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 8005 San Gabriel Rd, Atascadero, CA. A Reception will follow. The Committal will take place at Golden Community Cemetery, Golden, IL at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to: El Camino Homeless Organization in Atascadero, CA; or Hope Lutheran Church in Atascadero, CA.
–Death notices for Feb. 3-12, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
–Death notices for Feb. 16-19, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
––Death notices for Feb. 19-22, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary.
––Death notices for Feb. 25-26, courtesy of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.
All arrangements are under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay.
The Paso Robles Daily News publishes obituaries free of charge. Click here for information >> Writing and submitting an obituary
Archie Hanson: April 24, 1926- Dec. 14, 2016
Archie Hanson was born April 24, 1926 and raised in Beverly Hills and Rolling Hills, California. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School and started at the University of Colorado before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1944. After almost two years in the Army, he was honorably discharged, returned to California, and entered the University of California at Los Angeles, but soon thereafter left to work for a gold mining enterprise in Candle, Alaska, located on the Arctic Circle, 200 miles above Nome.
After working in Alaska for two years, he returned to California, got married, and started a career as a building contractor. His father soon contacted him to help develop the community of Hidden Hills, California. Archie’s initial role at Hidden Hills was to build its infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and house sites. He and his family moved into the historic Leonis Adobe nearby and then into a house on the corner of Long Valley and Spring Valley roads in Hidden Hills. His four children, Elexis (Lex), Victoria (Tori), Lisa, and Leila lived at Hidden Hills until Archie moved to Paso Robles, California, in 1961. While in Paso Robles, he focused on land development design, emphasizing and honoring the natural landscape. Over the next 40 years he subdivided some 35,000 acres in numerous developments, culminating in 1989 with the purchase of 1200 acres in Cortez, Colorado, near Mesa Verde National Park.
In Paso Robles Archie married Mary Mitchell, who had three children, Diane, Dawn, and Darren. Archie and Mary raised all seven children together. Mary has been Archie’s partner in the real estate business as well as his wife and homemaker for 53 years. She is a trained soprano and was very active in theater and opera in San Luis Obispo, California. She was the mainstay of his life. They lived at Hidden Valley Ranch in Templeton, California, which Archie developed, until they moved to Cortez in 1989.
While busy with land development in the Paso Robles area, Archie also started Templeton Carriage Works, building and restoring horse-drawn carriages and buggies. He also restored many of the historic buildings on Main Street in Templeton to their previous splendor and brought the town back to life.
The Cortez property, Indian Camp Ranch, was his final development, and contains over 210 Anasazi (Ancestral Puebloan) sites, the highest recorded site density in the State of Colorado. To protect these sites, which are over 800 years old, Archie created the first archaeological subdivision in the United States. Indian Camp Ranch has been featured in many major newspapers, magazines, and other media, including National Geographic, Archaeology, Smithsonian, the History Channel, and the Travel Channel. Indian Camp Ranch is recorded on the National Register of Historic Places.
Archie has always been interested in aviation, and while living in Hidden Hills owned, among others, an amphibian seaplane, an aerobatic Citabria, an Army L-13 and a North American T-28 that was used as a fighter aircraft by the French. His real preference was to fly helicopters, and he later owned a Hughes 269-A and a turbine powered Hughes 500-C when he moved to Paso Robles.
Over a 35-year period, he accumulated over 8,000 hours of flight time. He had many occasions to use his helicopters for public service and in search and rescue operations, flying as a Deputy Sheriff for San Luis Obispo County, California for more than 17 years.
Among his many skills, Archie was an engraver, silversmith, welder, hunter, and world traveler. He was vitally involved in land development, building construction, and creative work throughout his life. He published four books on various aspects of his life adventures. He was a “pied piper” to children and adults, and mentor to many. He will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Wolf at his 105th birthday party.
– On Jan. 16, Harry K Wolf, the oldest active ham radio operator ever known, passed away at the age of 107, just a couple of weeks shy of his 108th birthday. He never knew cancer or Alzheimers. He just told my cousin, his daughter Vicki a couple of weeks ago that he was now ready to go, and ham radio operator, number W6nkt, logged out peacefully for the last time.
He lived one of the most interesting lives a man could. He was raised on a ranch in the Geneseo area in what is now known as Ground Squirrel Hollow and was known as the fastest grain sack sewer in SLO county. He was giving demonstrations of that lost art when he was over 100. After serving in WWll, he personally originated and started the first Electronics Engineering Dept in the world at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He later did that in areas all over the world including Hong Kong and Tanzania.
At the age of 100, he wrote his life story and published it as a book. The name of the book is “The Oak Tree” which was a tree he used to go to on the family ranch to be by himself when he was young.
He outlived many people he loved, including children and grandchildren. However, he was very resilient and led a very active life past 100 years of age in his own home, and on the airwaves across the world both by voice and Morse code until the end. Sharp as a tack to his last day and went out with his boots on. What more could you ask for?
RIP, W6nkt, I know there must be a microphone and Morse code keypad for you up there. Your nephew, Tim, standing by and awaiting your transmission.
