Elmer Beller, California
Awarded 1957
Elmer Beller, Former NHPA Secretary
Receives "Arch Stokes Memorial Award"
"One of the outstanding features of the 1958 World's Tournament held in Murray, Utah, this past summer was the presentation of the "Arch Stokes Memorial Award."
The presentation was made by Mrs. Mary Stokes, widow of the late Arch Stokes, past president of the National Horseshoe Pitchers' Association. She was introduced by her son-in-law Mr. Arvin Cook and his wife, Maurine, daughter of Mrs. Stokes.
Recipient of the award, by popular vote, was Mr. Elmer Beller, the retiring NHPA secretary. A more deserving person cannot be found, who has spent many years working in behalf of the horseshoe pitching sport. He is one that gets the job done without any fanfare, working quietly behind the scenes. He saw to it that all the things that make the World's Tournament run smoothly were in order before tournament time. His job entailed many endless hours correlating all the details that are involved in the National secretary responsibilities. Along with that were many hours listing names for the News Digest and many more things, too numerous to mentioned here.
Besides his adeptness at secretarial work, Elmer, as he is affectionately known, is quite adept at pitching shoes, competing regularly in the various tournaments conducted in and around Southern California. He is seen each year competing in the "60 years or over" class conducted annually by the Southern California Association.
The officers and members of the NHPA are proud to have men of Elmer Beller's caliber within its membership.
Were we able to gaze upon the face of him, in whose memory the award was given, as he looks down from his celestial home, we would surely see a wonderful smile of satisfaction."