Fallbrook Historical Society bestows honors

Two longtime residents were honored with special accolades at the Fallbrook Historical Society’s annual meeting on Saturday, May 18 at the historic Reche School House. Neil Rhodes was celebrated as the Pioneer of the Year and William Ahrend as the Vintage Award honoree.

“Every year the board discusses who we should honor; people that have been in the community a long time,” said Jack Story, president of the Fallbrook Historical Society. “Neil Rhodes is a very quiet person who has been here a very long time, and everyone knows Billy Ahrend; he’s a good community person who has helped capture Fallbrook’s history in pictures.”

Neil Rhodes

Pioneer of the Year

Neil Rhodes has made his home in Fallbrook for 73 years. Raised on a farm near Cherry Vale and Liberty in southeastern Kansas by his parents, James Wilson and Gladys McCarty Rhodes, he moved to Fallbrook in 1940 at the age of 22. His goal in making the drive in his truck was to work in his brother Mark’s, garage on North Main Street. (It later became known as Roy’s, after being bought by his brother, Roy)

Rhodes didn’t waste any time in sending for his girlfriend Ruby to join him.

“Not to waste time waiting for California’s marriage red tape, they drove to Yuma to wed,” explained Cecelia Njust of the Fallbrook Historical Society.

“Engine trouble caused a second start, but in a borrowed Model A Ford, the couple was married in the border town.”

World War II brought Rhodes into the Air Corps, stationed at several bases in north-central England.

“He served as a driver of a jeep he weatherized on his own initiative, making it and its driver the most desirable transportation for the brass,” said Njust. “In his jeep, with cover, he led a convoy that crossed the English Channel and France, and a pontoon bridge across the Rhine into Germany. He worked with airborne troops salvaging gliders. At Mulun, France he helped with repositioning three captured German ME 262A’s, the first operational jet aircraft.” Rhodes traveled to Paris to celebrate the end of the war in Europe and returned to Ruby and Fallbrook in 1945.

After his military service, he continued to work at the family garage until he was hired as a machinist/mechanic for the Base transport director on Camp Pendleton.

“From 1952 to his retirement in 1974, he was the ‘go-to guy’ to get things done on any vehicle there,” said Njust. “He still likes making things work.”

The Rhodes’ raised two children in Fallbrook – son Allen (now in Las Cruces, N.M.) and daughter Rita (in Boise, Idaho). The couple now has six grandchildren.

Neil Rhodes was honored in April on his 95th birthday with a gathering attended by numerous friends and relatives.

William Ahrend

Vintage Award honoree

A native son, William Floyd Ahrend, known fondly as “Bill,” “Billy,” and “Willie,” can easy be found at his family business, Ahrend Studios, on East Alvarado Street.

Ahrend and his daughter, Shelby Houskeeper, continue the artistry started by Bill’s father, Floyd, in the 1950s when the studio was on Main Street. Ahrend inherited the business after his father and mother (Emilie) passed away. Thirty years ago, he moved the studio to its current location.

Growing up on the family avocado ranch on Gum Tree Lane, Ahrend graduated from Fallbrook High School and went on to Palomar college.

“His advanced education included courses and workshops in art and photography, special hands-on technique sessions and demonstrations and invitational seminars,” said Njust. The latest endeavors for him and his daughter have been in the opportunities afforded by digital photography.

Ahrend is a car fan, tried and true. When he first got his driver’s license, he drove to high school in a 1930 Model A Ford Coupe. He has long been the secretary-treasurer of a local hot rod club known as The Shafters, which meets weekly. Ahrend’s current rod is a much-modified 1929 Model A Roadster that can be seen at many Local Events. The roadster came into the family when his father bought it. At that time it was in good condition, but had a standard body. Currently it sports a Lexus Ruby Pearl paint job and is a real jewel.

“I asked Bill to define a ‘hot rod’ and he said that a friend described it as any change to a car’s engine or body that your father did not approve of,” said Njust.

Ahrend said he and his wife Diana are blessed with daughters Keri, Shelby, Taryn, and Lauren; sons Eric, Travis, Jesse, and Daren; 15 grandchildren; and the newest members, two great-grandchildren.

“We have chosen Bill as our Vintage Awardee because of his longtime, excellent business service here,” said Njust. “The Ahrend name is noted as a prize-winner in professional circles of photo portraiture, raised to a fine art. It is a pleasure to add our recognition to the collection of national and international awards at the Ahrend Studios.”