By John
Emmering
Rich Harvest Farms,
the private estate and golf course of successful entrepreneur Jerry Rich was the
destination of this year’s Northern Illinois Regional Group Spring Tour held on
Friday morning, April 12th. The tour
was organized by this writer who contacted Jerry Rich’s secretary a few months
back about the possibility of allowing the NIRG to visit.
Responding to the request Mr. Rich extended a warm welcome.
The event became a joint tour when the Blackhawk Chapter of the
Studebaker Driver’s Club accepted our invitation for their members to join in.
With a great response
from club members of both
regional car club groups, sixty-one people signed up for the tour.
On the cool but clear Friday morning participants from both groups
checked in at the appointed meeting spot, the Warrenville McDonald’s Restaurant.
The lot was filled with some interesting Fords, Studebakers and even a Pierce
Arrow.
Heading off down Route 59 over to Route 56 and on through Aurora with the antique cars in the lead, the group began the thirty-five minute drive out to Sugar Grove. Passing Rich Harvest Farms’ gate the group headed into St. Katharine Drexel Church to meetup with participants from west of the Fox River.
Seeing the unexpected
traffic, the church Pastor Father Jones sent an aide outside to see what was
going on. After hearing the
explanation, the church staff was glad that there wasn’t a funeral or other
event that they may have forgotten about.
Falling in behind this writer in his 1949 Ford the procession entered the main gates of the spacious Rich Harvest Farms. The antique vehicles were directed to park in a prominent spot in front of the welcome center where Jerry Rich’s Automobile Collection is housed. Entering the welcome center and checking their coats, tour members were directed to a refreshment area where coffee, water and soft drinks were offered. Upon settling in the group was pleased to learn that Jerry Rich himself had come out to greet our group and he would be leading the tour.
As tour goers moved
into the automobile showroom, Jerry Rich took a microphone and welcomed the
group to his private car collection.
Mr. Rich explained his background, growing up in the Chicago suburb of Villa
Park and how as a boy he developed a passion for golf.
He further explained that he attended Northern Illinois University and as
a proud alumnus has a strong kinship with NIU. Mr. Rich provides his highly
rated golf course for use by the Northern Illinois Huskies’ men’s and women’s
golf teams. After college Mr. Rich
started work at the new company begun by his father. Mr. Rich developed a method
to incorporate several software programs used on the stock exchange into a
single system which proved highly popular and became quite lucrative.
He explained how Rich Harvest Farms came about after his financial
success, as he sent an agent to purchase twelve Sugar Grove Township farms which
comprise the 2,200-acre estate that exists today. Turned loose to examine the
car collection on their own, the group was able to view in the pristine
automobiles. Walking through the collection visitors saw a myriad of assorted
motor vehicles. A 1932 Cadillac V-16
was prominently displayed as was a 1934 Duesenberg.
Also from the Auburn Automobile Co. were two 1937 Cords.
Al Unser’s 1992 Indy 500 winner was in the collection as was the “Mellow
Yellow” NASCAR racer used in the movie “Days of Thunder”. Seven quite valuable
Lamborghini Countaches were also lined up.
Early Ford V-8 fans were not disappointed as a shiny red and black 1949
Ford F-1 pickup truck was part
of the collection.
Two Model “T” Fords were also on display as well as a Thunderbird, a
classic 1902 Oldsmobile and an early Cadillac among others. An old electric car
was also part of the collection. Each car
has a unique story and they are all maintained and kept running by Jerry Rich’s
personal auto mechanic.
Members of the NIRG
enjoying the tour were Ken Bounds, Tom Buscaglia, Ed & Diane Crane, Terry
Elliott, John & Robin Emmering, John Judge, Dick Livingston, Frank Madrigali,
Pat Maroney, Ray McMahon, Joe & Millie Novak, Roger Obecny with Mary Partyka,
Tom O’Donnell, Dan Pudelek, Ron Steck, Len Vinyard, and George & Dawn Zulas
accompanied by their son Tom. A good group of Studebaker Driver’s Club members
made it out as well as a couple members of the Naper A’s Model “A” Ford Club.
Three Early Ford V-8s were driven on the tour, this writer’s 1949 Ford
Custom Fordor, Ray McMahon’s 1936 Ford Club Cabriolet and Ron Steck’s 1941 Ford
Super Deluxe Station Wagon.
After the tour about
thirty members of the group stopped for lunch at the Fireside Restaurant in
Sugar Grove where the Banquet room had been reserved and ate an enjoyable meal.
All those attending appreciated the unique opportunity to visit Rich
Harvest Farm, see the excellent automobile collection and meet Jerry Rich.
Everyone along on the tour appreciated Mr. Rich’s kindness in welcoming
the car club members to his beautiful estate.