JOB: coin machine mechanic for campus housing for more than 23 years. He’s the vending division’s only full-time fix-it man.
WHAT DOES HE DO? He maintains 470 laundry machines, 26 snack machines, 18 bill changers and 5,000 telephones.
How did you learn to fix things?
I used to tinker with cars when I lived in Chicago. I loved to tinker with hot rods. I worked as an auto mechanic for two years. When I moved to Champaign-Urbana, this job gave me the opportunity to do the same thing — to work with my hands and figure out how to repair broken things.
What do you like about your job?
Basically everything. I’m not in one spot; I go all over campus. I meet a lot of people. I see a lot of things. I like what I do.
Were there more people maintaining the machines when you started?
At one time we had about 15 employees. I’m the last of the originals. We were downsized. We had five attendants (who stock bill changers and collect coins), four mechanics, two full-time office workers, two supervisors and three rovers (students who checked machines in resident halls). Some retired, others found different positions at the university. Now there are just two attendants, a part-time mechanic and me.
How can you do the work they did?
It’s a lot of hard work. But we used to have a lot more food machines. Now dining services are open longer, so there is no need for sandwiches. Now we just have snacks and they took away all the pop machines except Coke’s.
My basic day consists of two dozen service calls. They range from washers taking money but not washing, to snack machines that the products don’t drop in. We replace phone jacks in student rooms. There are dryers that turn, but don’t give any heat. We have electric, gas and steam dryers, so it’s kind of challenging.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to fish and hunt. We have a place in Leisure Time Estates in Oakwood. I camp with my wife and two daughters on weekends. I have a classic muscle car that I like to work on — a 1969 metallic green Chevy Nova Super Sport. We go to cruises; it’s a lot of fun.
What are cruises?
There was one at Steak ‘n Shake in Urbana last Friday night. There were at least 150 cars from all over the area. We cruised to Oldies 92 on Neil Street and then back to Steak ‘n Shake. We got together with the other old car owners and swapped a few stories and hints.
What is the most interesting thing that ever happened to you?
Meeting my wife, Tammy. I met her here at the university. She’s an account tech at housing food stores. We used to work out of housing food stores, too. At that time she worked in produce. We were just passing in the hallway. Through a few friends at work we got together. We met and fell in love. We’ve been married 16 years, and have two beautiful daughters.
This article was imported from a previous version of the News Bureau website. Please email news@illinois.edu to report missing photos and/or photo credits.
