Oaky - now it is time for me to admit I am an idiot. As an engineer, I should know better. When I saw that the gauge was going to full hot when idling in cool weather and the previously functioning electric fan just wasn't coming on, I should have done the logical thing first. CHECK THE GAUGE!!!! After all of the messy and pain in the a$$ efforts to check the thermostat, the pump, etc. I should have checked the gauge first. I borrowed a friend's IR temp gauge and it seemed that the temps were not going too high even though the temp gauge was pegged. I held my breath and let it run a bit longer and the electric fan finally came on. After a short time the fan shut off again. Exactly like it is supposed to do and exactly like it has been doing for the past year since the engine was started. I am now guessing that the first drive (out on a fairly bumpy road) probably jarred something in the original gauge causing it to fail. Now I can remove the gauge and send it off for repair and get on with my life.
Thank you everyone for the advice and encouragement.