Former AC dealer passes away

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    Harry Zachmann, my former employer and very good family friend, passed  away on Monday morning, after a long, tough battle with cancer. He got West Plains Imp. in Beach, ND up and running in the late 60's, and literally filled the country up with orange tractors. Many of you on this site may be familiar with Harry through his annual antique tractor auction that he held right up through 2010. Although tractors from every manufacturer were in the offering, I think Allis Chalmers still brought the biggest smile to his face. Myself, and hundreds of others had the privlage of working for Harry over the years that he headed up WPI. I started working for him in 1986, and worked there until 2000, when I moved  here to Hebron, ND to be a part of my in-laws farming operation. What I learned while working for him has been so valuable to the farming operation. My only regret is that I didn't go to work there sooner.   He leaves behind, his wife Elaine, 8 grown children, many grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren.    Darrel

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darrel in ND Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Location: Hebron, ND Points: 8731	Post Options Post Reply Quote darrel in ND Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Former AC dealer passes away Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 8:57am
	Harry Zachmann, my former employer and very good family friend, passed away on Monday morning, after a long, tough battle with cancer. He got West Plains Imp. in Beach, ND up and running in the late 60's, and literally filled the country up with orange tractors. Many of you on this site may be familiar with Harry through his annual antique tractor auction that he held right up through 2010. Although tractors from every manufacturer were in the offering, I think Allis Chalmers still brought the biggest smile to his face. Myself, and hundreds of others had the privlage of working for Harry over the years that he headed up WPI. I started working for him in 1986, and worked there until 2000, when I moved here to Hebron, ND to be a part of my in-laws farming operation. What I learned while working for him has been so valuable to the farming operation. My only regret is that I didn't go to work there sooner. He leaves behind, his wife Elaine, 8 grown children, many grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren. Darrel

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Bill Long Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Bel Air, MD Points: 4556	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Long Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 1:47pm
	Sorry to see the passing of another Dealer. They are a special breed. I remember Pop and the other dealers we used to associate with. It is a shame to see them go. They mean so much. Best wishes to his family. Good Luck! Bill long

AllisFreak MN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 07 Dec 2009 Location: Minnesota Points: 1589	Post Options Post Reply Quote AllisFreak MN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 5:36pm
	The old A-C dealers are slowly fading away, just like the orange paint. Rest In Peace.
	'49 A-C WD, '51 A-C WD, '63 A-C D17 Series III, 1968 A-C One-Seventy, '82 A-C 6060, '75 A-C 7040, A-C #3 sickle mower, 2 A-C 701 wagons, '78 Gleaner M2

JohnCO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Niwot Colo Points: 8992	Post Options Post Reply Quote JohnCO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 11:32pm
	Last summer, Carl Luther, owner of Luther Equipment in Greeley, CO passed away. In his obituary it was not mentioned that he was a Case dealer for 20 some years, until the Case IH merger, when they pulled his dealership and gave it to the IH dealer. He then was an AC dealer for a year, then AGCO until 2009 when AGCO dropped orange and him at the same time. His son still has a short line dealership and maybe McCormick, although they didn't have any tractors at the farm show this year. One might figure he was a bit upset with his treatment by the companies.
	"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer" Allis Express participant

Bob D. (La) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Louisiana Points: 25529	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob D. (La) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 2011 at 5:12am
	May he rest in peace. Gods Blessing to his family and friends.
	When you find yourself in a hole,PUT DOWN THE SHOVEL!!!

JayIN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Location: SE/IN Points: 1982	Post Options Post Reply Quote JayIN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 2011 at 7:01am
	Just THINK of the knowledge that is gone forever when one of these icons passes..............truly a shame .
	sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?"