Ten-year-old Norm gives friends a ride in his Model-T Ford in 1946. It was his first car, and a big lesson in responsibility. In the passenger seat is his grandmother Jean Kabrich and in the back, his brother, Ray.
Ten-year-old Norm gives friends a ride in his Model-T Ford in 1946. It was his first car, and a big lesson in responsibility. In the passenger seat is his grandmother Jean Kabrich and in the back, his brother, Ray.

The Winifred of Norm's youth lacked electricity and modern conveniences, but it fostered a streak of resourcefulness and self-reliance in Norm that would last a lifetime. Heading home from the family's D-Y Garage when Norm was around age 5, Boots set his son on the seat of a Farmall tractor and put it in first gear. Norm navigated the short distance home with his father following behind.

In the spring of 1946, Norm's Uncle Oskie offered him a job tending several hundred chickens. Oskie told the 10-year-old if he cared for the chicks until the fall he'd reward him with a car. Seven days a week that summer Norm fed and cared for the chickens. Through the heat of July and August he walked to Winifred's Main Street town pump to ferry pails of water to the thirsty birds.

At summer's end Oskie presented Norm with an old Ford Model T. The only catch was that the vehicle had spent time submerged beneath Missouri River floodwaters and the engine wouldn't turn over. Norm focused his attention on the family garage. Eventually, with enough oil, a hand crank and the help of a few friends, Norm got the engine to turn over.

Family, perseverance and hard work granted Norm the freedom to explore Winifred's gravel roads in his Model T. The experience also taught Norm the value of independence and the satisfaction of reward—lessons he'd carry with him the rest of his life.

 

 

 
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