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Herb Ebendorf
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
January 15, 2006--Never let age get in the way of life. Herb Ebendorf doesn’t. He works in a museum. Some say he is the museum.
(Sound of Coleman Company assembly Line)
The Coleman Company and its products have fascinated Herb Ebendorf for years. |
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“The fascination began with W.C. Coleman himself, but there was something about the man that I wanted to know him better. I still think he is the most memorable character I ever met.”
Herb Ebendors’ fascination continues today at the Coleman factory Outlet store and Museum in Wichita.
“I am not an authority on the Coleman Company or its products. But I know a lot about them.” |
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Herb worked in Public Relations for the company for years, but now…and it’s still difficult to believe he is 95 he is in this little museum every day. And he himself, with his historic knowledge is a living museum.
As Herb moved around the small museum he picked up item after item and immediately have almost total recall. |
“I don’t know, I would say we made several million of these and many of them are still usable or can be made usable.”
“I feel that if I can answer a question that has been on someone’s mind about a Coleman product, I feel that is time well-spent. |
Herb went to work for Coleman in the early ‘40’s. Now at 95 – yep, 95, Herb volunteers in the Coleman Museum and is its encyclopedic spokesman.
“There is a story on about everything we’ve got here.” |
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If it has a Coleman name on it, he knows its history.
“C-Q Quick-light lamp came in around the 1920’s and we really never stopped making them until around 1950.”
“This is what the average home had…maybe several of these for light.” |
“We all have to have some purpose in mind. Without it we are nothing. And mine is simply to enjoy life and to help other people as we go along.”
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| The Coleman Museum and Factory Outlet is located at 235 N. St. Francis in Wichita. |
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