RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - The Rio Linda Elverta Historical Society, along with Branch 158 of the Early Engine Club, will honor one of their late members with an event on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Bob Hinds, who recently passed away, was a beloved member of the Rio Linda community and served the Rio Linda Elverta Historical Society for many years. Throughout his life, Hinds amassed a large collection of tractors and had a great passion for farming equipment.

In his honor, the historical society will host the Bob Hinds’ Plow Fest all day, starting at 8 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Dry Creek Ranch House, 6852 Dry Creek Road, Rio Linda.

Messenger Publishing Group spoke with both Lon Chaney, the stepson of Hinds, and Ralph Hants, a member of the historical society, and they shared more about Hinds’ legacy and the meaning behind Plow Day.

According to Chaney, Hinds always had a passion for all things engines. Before coming to Rio Linda, Hinds hailed from Illinois, then worked as a mechanic in the Navy, worked for a racecar pit crew, worked at car companies Audi and Lincoln and also worked for the Bureau of Automotive Repair, a state-run organization.

Tragedy struck Hinds when a drunk driver drove the wrong way down the freeway, striking Hinds’ car and ending the life of his pregnant wife and their unborn child. Although this left Hinds heartbroken, family members insisted he “pick himself up by his bootstraps” and start living again, according to Chaney. 

Eventually, Hinds married Chaney’s mother, and he took on four stepsons, including Chaney. Chaney made it clear about the impact Hinds had on his family’s life.

“It was a lot of fun with him. He brought a lot more than just tractors into our life,” Chaney said. “Bob had a temper but I never heard anything bad about anybody. He might’ve been upset but he never brought it home. That’s how he dealt with things: let it go. Don’t hang on to everything. Don’t spread it, don’t keep it going, don’t keep it festered, don’t scratch the scab off, just let it go.”

Hinds made a difference far beyond Rio Linda, according to Hants.

“As far as I am concerned, Bob left us another legacy that goes all the way out of the state,” Hants said.

According to Hants, Hinds was a member of the Rusty Relics, a group dedicated to preserving historic engines. Between 2002 and 2004, Hinds took one of his John Deere tractors and helped plant 5,000 trees in Southern Oregon with the group, including children.

Hinds was passionate about getting children interested in tractors and engines, according to Chaney and Hants. While serving the historical society, Hinds wanted to train youth how to drive tractors and gave classes at the Dry Creek Ranch House. He also certified youth to join the Early Engines Club.

With this passion, Hinds was “instrumental” in making Rio Linda’s beloved Farm and Tractor Days event what it is today, according to Hants. Because of his affiliation with the Rusty Relics and his own collection of tractors, Hinds incorporated countless tractors into the event, now averaging between 75 and 80 each year. He dedicated much of his time to the historical society, including volunteering at the ranch house, taking care of the property and working on tractors.

“Bob is an integral part of everything that you see here,” Hants said.

Plow Day attendees are encouraged to bring their own tractor and plow. The event organizers will provide dirt. There will be fields to plow and space to run hit and miss engines. Dry camping will be available, as well. A local taco truck will be set up for refreshments.

The historical society hopes to make this an annual event, according to Hants.

“Bob was not only a long-time member of the Rio Linda community, but a member of the historical society, and we are honored to have this Plow Day in his honor,” said Jason Green, president of the Rio Linda Elverta Historical Society.

For more information about the event, contact Jason Green at 916-716-6845 or John Boehm at 530-867-5886.