Welcome to the garage Phil.
As for keeping the patina, doing the rust repair is just adding your own patina. When you pass the on to another family member, years from now, they will know more about the truck.
Great story about the history and please keep us up to date on your progress!

Don

1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck
"The Flag Pole"
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1946 2-Ton grain truck
1946 3/4-ton pickup,
1953 1-ton pickup
1957 1-ton flatbed dually,
1954 Pontiac Straight Eight
Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!