Russ Adams
It's now about 10 years after Elmer's passing, so I doubt anyone will read this. However, I wasn't aware that this page existed until this moment. Prior to tonight, I was only aware of the newspaper obituary.
Speaking only for myself, Elmer was a very good step-father to have grown up with. We were never particularly close on an emotional level, but we got along very well on an intellectual level. We're had many lively debates on a plethora of topics. He had a unique take on the world around him and while I often disagreed with him, I found his opinions to be thought-provoking and interesting.
Elmer and I had many adventures together. Most were exceedingly boring, but I never failed to learn something new on each one.
Elmer taught me a lot of things, from history to algebra to education to finding the value in everything, and everyone, both young and old.
Elmer was into "rusty gold" long before the American Pickers popularized the phrase, and when I worked for him as his assistant and loader at auctions, flea-markets, yard sales, estate sales, etc., all over America, and when I worked as a runner in his auction gallery, I always worked extra hard for him and he always recognized that and paid me well, both in money and in knowledge.
One memory that I cherish of Elmer is a weekend trip that he and I took to a town in Maine that was well north of Bangor and very nearly to the Canadian border. We ate like kings and enjoyed a day in the stands at the stock-car races, and then we started looking for deals. Eventually, we found a place that was selling antique wooden sleighs (like the kind horses would draw in the snow). Thanks to the large wooden and iron rack on Elmer's old red Ford pickup and a small used trailer (which we also purchased on that trip), we managed to load 22 of those sleighs, tie them down and get them home to his auction hall in Cedarville!
Also, it was Elmer and one of his friends who took me deep sea fishing the one and only time I've ever been. It was a lousy trip, in lousy weather. I was the only one on the boat who caught a fish. It was a 5-6 pound blue fish. I was only 11 or 12 years old, and that fish put up the biggest fight I could have ever imagined. It seemed to take me hours to feel it in. But Elmer let me fight the battle myself. I grew up a little bit that day. Not only did Elmer let me keep the fish, but he let me keep it in the freezer at his auction hall for 2-3 years!
Like anyone else, Elmer had his faults, his flaws, his mistakes, his boneheaded moments, etc. But he was a good man, a good teacher, a great auctioneer, a good step-father and an amazing father to many children that he fostered and adopted!
Elmer, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, I hope you know that you are sorely missed.
Russ Adams