Robert Milton Reeder

Reeder. Robert had four siblings, brothers Merlin, Edward, Lewis and sister Beulah.

In 1918 at the conclusion of WW1, Bob then at the age of 3, still remembers being placed on

the back of his fathers flat bed truck along with 3 or 4 metal workers from Reeder’s Welding and

Spring Shop located at 13th st. between J and K st. In downtown Sacramento Ca. A large Bell

in for repair was painted with the words “REEDER’S LIBERTY BELL” and loaded on the truck as

well. In celebration for the Armistice Day, they drove up and down K st. ringing the Bell with

large hammers. This Bell can be found today hanging across the street from the Placerville

main st. courthouse. In the 1960’s the letter’s were still visible, but now extremely faint

however the scars from the hammers can readably be seen.

Robert (Bob) was always busy learning the welding and machine trade while working along

side his Dad and becoming a master welder. Bob attended Washington Grammar School and

Sacramento High school where he was on the wrestling teem for 3 years at the 135 # weight

class and never lost.

After Bob’s Junior year of High school, in 1933, he left school for one year to join his father at

the Reeder Mining claim at Horseshoe Bar on the middle fork of the American River just below

Volcanoville. (East of Georgetown.) In 1934 returning to finish his senior year at Sacramento

High School.

After graduation Bob bought a 1919 Harley Davison for transportation and traveled to

Stockton Joining the National Guard in the Howitzer Tank Command and became an expert

sharp shooter with his 1911 Colt semi-automatic and the 135 mm tank cannon. After serving

for 3 years in the U.S.Coast Guard he went to work for R.G.LeTourneau in Stockton, who soon

after merged with Holt and Caterpillar tractors.

During the great depression of 1929 William Bob’s Dad, had lost every thing in Sacramento.

Soon after William and Bob re-located in Placerville opened a new welding shop at the old

Placerville foundry located where the shell station sits today on lower main street. Bob later

moved the welding and machine shop to Cold Springs Rd., where the Placerville 26 Masonic

Lodge is now located.

After WW2 William purchased 7-1/2 acres located on Hwy. 50, now Placerville Dr., for

$100.00.

In 1940 Bob met a beautiful young lady at the motor city skating rink in Smith Flat and a year

later married Marcella on William and Ruth’s property in a beautiful area as close as we can

figure to where the alter of Placerville Lodge #26 sits today.

With WW2 breaking out, Bob in went to work at the Bethlehem Ship yard as a specialty welder

building destroyers for the war effort. He received special accommodation for his outstanding

abilities. Bob was very skilled in welding all metals including cast iron, aluminum, and

magnesium with oxygen and acetylene an expert using AC/DC ark welders.

Was an expert at the art of tempering and aneling steel for making springs, hard facing chain

saw bars with bars coming in from all over the US.

In July 1942, Bob’s father William past away, Bob’s and Marcella moved back to Placerville to

take over the Reeder’s Welding business. Bob started construction of his home on Placerville

Drive and soon after broke ground for the new shop at the same location.

Robert and Marcella had 4 children Darrell, Sharon, Robert, and Marcella they intern have

given Bob and Marcella 11 Grand Children, 19 Great Grand children, and 12 Great Great

Grand Children and 2 in the basket.

In 1947 Bob designed a bridge for Eldorado County for the cattlemen to get across the

Rubicon river between Georgetown and Lake Tahoe, now known as the “Rubicon Trail” ok’d by

the county, manufactured in his new shop, He then loaded the bridge in sections on a flat bed

truck and transported to the upper end of the Rubicon Trail at Lake Tahoe and then took the trail

in to the Rubicon River. No easy trail even in a jeep let alone a flat bed truck loaded down with

steel. In the early 1950’s the Jeepers Jamboree started using the bridge and are still using this

bridge today.

In 1946 Bob opened Reeder’s chain saw shop in the welding shop and took on the McCulloch

chainsaws. 1952 had a new building built for the saws and become the top McCulloch dealer

in the world. Added small engine’s, repair’s, sold tote goat’s, mini bikes and in 1958 took on

the Yamaha motorcycles. Took on the Hodaka motorcycles Triumph Motorcycles and then

Honda Motorcycles in 1966.

Always adding to his buildings for more room started Placerville Marine where he produced

the champion boat’s and ski’s, had a radiator shop for a time, began selling New York Life

insurance and became top salesperson (Million dollar club) several years in a row.

In the mid 1960’s Bob modified four McCulloch chain saws for competition and entered the

saws in competition throughout the California and Oregon and almost always finished 1st and

2nd with his partner Don Huntsman a local logger and very close friend. For the next 3 years

of competition Bob and Don did extremely well. After the first year the winnings were enough to

purchase an Air coupe airplane and the following year purchased a Piper try-pacer airplane.

after the third year of winning Don started Pine Belt Helicopter’s.

In the late 1960’s a Go-Kart track was constructed on his 52 acer ranch, opened up the

property for Moto cross racing and with Dirt Diggers North and Placerville Mc. put on the first

Hangtown Motocross which has sense moved to Prairie City OHV Park near Folsom Ca. and is

a National event every year with riders from all over the world competing.

Bob was a charter member of Kiwanis club in Placerville and instrumental with the starting of

the John M. Studebaker Wheel Barrow race at the El Dorado county Fair grounds. Bob is the

last living charter member of the Placerville Kiwanis and who also helped start the Key club at El

Dorado high school.

Bob purchased Mid Vally Trailer Sails in Stockton in 1970 along with some property and with

his desire to take care of his customers and his honesty the business grew rapidly. Bob was a

member of the Eagles.

A Boy Scout Master for 5 years.

Elected to the Mother Lode School District board for 11 years.

Bob was a heavy equipment operator proficient with graders, Caterpillar’s, Backhoe’s,

hydraulic air drills for drilling rock, was a powder monkey (using dynamite) he would purchase

over the counter at Placerville Hardware and the list goes on. Served as Road Captain for the

Golden West Community Service District for about 10 years where he saw to and maintained 15

miles of roads

Bob started the Placerville Drive Association and getting hwy. 50 renamed to Placerville Drive

and was the first acting president.

Served on the El Dorado County Democratic Comity many years.

In 1994 Bob joined the Shrine Widdle Wheels, and manufactured two mini model T ford cars

from the ground up to be used in shrine parades and functions.

He was the first chairman of Infantile Paralysis, under President Roosevelt.

Mom and Dad attended church at the old Federated Church an Main St. and Cedar Ravine

where C and H Auto Parts is now located.

In 1963 Bob was made an honorary deputy sheriff by El Dorado county Sheriff Earnest

Carlson.

Of interest in 1972 Bob rode a 1972 Yamaha 175 motorcycle in the “Hawthorn National

Enduro" starting in the second row and is pictured at the starting line on the cover of the

magazine “motorcyclist”.

Bob has completed and done so much it would take a life time to give it all. He was one very

special man and most of all my Dad. Sooo proud! Thank You Dad for all you have given to

the community, family, friends and even stranger’s.

Services were held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home, 2855 Cold Springs Rd., Placerville, California.

Written by Darrell Reeder