A six-foot dragonfly constructed from old metal car parts is symbolic of the creative partnership that Vern Wartman forged with his son, Kevin.

"One of us would get an idea of something we would like to create and then we would discuss approaches. It very seldom came out like we originally discussed, but we came up with some awesome sculptures," Kevin said. "He had a great combination of technical smarts, a precision craftsman's eyes and hands and amazing creative juices."

Vern, 72, died Sept. 27 in Boise after a brief battle with brain cancer.

From inventing a special line clamp while working at Idaho Power to designing and building trailers for specialized needs, Vern always was ready to build a better mousetrap.

"He took one of my racing trophies to repair but when returned he had made it into a table lamp for me," said his son, Kirk. "He would take something and turn it in to something else. Like taking small oxygen or Acetylene bottles and cutting tops off and making wind chimes. He was very ingenious and passed on his mechanical/machining, fabrication and analytical thinking abilities to me."

Vern not only came up with innovative ideas but could replicate just about anything.

"There was nothing Dad couldn't fix. If it needed a special part that wasn't available he would make it. He was a carpenter, a mechanic, a welder, a machinist and above all a perfectionist - nothing he did was second rate," said his daughter, Kris Ferguson. "In any given day he could take you to breakfast, drive you to appointments, mow your lawn, fix your car and build a wheelchair ramp at your house."

As a young boy, son Kraig recalled riding motorcycles and snowmobiles in the mountains and working in the shop with his dad on cars and farm equipment.

"Dad was very talented but was concerned what people would think of his creation, good or bad. Old hooks off of chains turned into ducks and old sparkplugs were re-birthed to dragonflies," Kraig said. "I will miss the wisdom and sharing time and watching him play with the grandkids."

Illness prevented Vern from completing his most recent project, a stand for a weather vane.

"Each of us kids worked with him to get the weather vane to work, but we kept getting perplexed by complications to the structure," Kevin said. "We have decided to complete the structure and weather vane and install it as a memorial to Dad. We will adorn it with metal hand prints from all the kids and grandkids - his last metal work will live on."

Stephanie Eddy:377-6481.In Remembrance is a weekly profile on a Treasure Valley resident who has recently passed away. To recommend a friend or loved one for an In Remembrance, e-mail seddy@idahostatesman.com.