Robert and Dolores Hemphill honored as Old Timers of the Year
Surrounded by family, Robert and Dolores Hemphill were recognized as the 2021 Old Timers of the Year Friday at the Lassen County Fair.
The pair joins the long list of residents above a certain age honored every year for their service and dedication to the area.
Robert was board in Broughton, Kansas to Otho and Mildred Hemphill on May 4, 1932. A the age of 7, he moved to Janesville where he attended Missouri Bend Elementary School.
“While growing up the Hemphill ranch,” the nomination for the Old Timer of the Year award read, “he milked cows and helped harvest the hay and other ranch duties.”
He attended Lassen High School, and drove the bus for the high school during his junior and senior year. After school, he joined the Air Force, serving in Korea as an aircraft mechanic. After leaving the Air Force, he worked for Bronson and Doyle and worked at the Sierra Army Depot as a locomotive mechanic until retirement in 1987.
Robert and Dolores (Farwell) married in 1959, and raised four children: Ronald, Gary, Karen and Lee.
Karen shared of Dolores’ more than 50 years of service and achievements with 4-H at the county and state levels, adding, “She’s a wonderful mom.”
Robert also volunteered at many 4-H and FFA events, helping at the Junior livestock Auction. He also helped building the Honey Lake Valley Riders original area at the fairgrounds, in addition to helping set up for gymkhana events and trail classes.
“He was always willing to help in any capacity needed, as well as help any child that needed help,” read the nomination.
During the ceremony, lunch was provided along with pie, served by Miss Lassen County, Alliyah Yerington, and her court, Ambassadress EmmaLee Rotlisberger and Princess Georgia Bennett, fair board members and the Little Miss and Mister Court. Lassen County Board of Supervisors Chairman Aaron Albaugh presented the Hemphills with the award — due to the extended power outage a plaque is in the works marking their accolade.
